Chandigarh, September 7 — In flood-ravaged Punjab, where more than 1,400 villages were submerged and 3.5 lakh people affected, the state government’s relief mission also extended to animals, ensuring that voiceless creatures were not abandoned during the disaster.
At the peak of the crisis in late August, when the Sutlej and Beas rivers inundated vast stretches of farmland, more than 15 lakh animals were trapped in rising waters. Their distress calls echoed in the submerged villages. “No living being, whether human or animal, will be left behind,” Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann directed, even as he battled his own health issues from a hospital bed.
Animal Husbandry, Dairy Development and Fisheries Minister Gurmeet Singh Khuddian said 481 veterinary teams were mobilized, each comprising a veterinary officer, pharmacist or inspector, and support staff. “So far, 22,534 animals have been treated in the field. Every possible effort was made to strengthen their immunity and prevent disease outbreaks,” he said.
Farmers recounted dramatic rescues. Gurchan Singh, a dairy farmer from Pamma village in Pathankot, said he feared losing his 12 buffaloes until relief boats arrived. “I thought everything was gone, but then I saw boats coming not only for us, but also for my animals,” he said. In Fazilka, Cabinet Minister Hardeep Singh Mundian oversaw the distribution of 5,000 animal feed bags alongside food for flood-hit families.
The government, in coordination with NGOs such as Kalgidhar Trust, distributed 12,170 quintals of feed and more than 5,000 quintals of green and dry fodder. In total, officials reported that more than 5.16 lakh animals were rescued or saved across affected districts. Drones were used to spot stranded livestock on rooftops, while boats ferried animals from cattle sheds through narrow, flooded lanes.
In Fazilka, AAP leader Dr. Amarjeet Kaur described an emotional rescue. “We found a cow protecting her newborn calf after being trapped for three days. When we lifted them into the boat, our team members had tears in their eyes. At that moment, I felt we were doing the right work,” she said.
Despite these efforts, the losses were severe. Khuddian said 504 cattle and buffaloes, 73 goats and sheep, and 160 pigs perished in 14 districts including Pathankot, Gurdaspur, Amritsar, Ferozepur, Fazilka and Jalandhar. Additionally, 18,304 poultry birds died when sheds collapsed in Gurdaspur, Roopnagar and Fazilka. In total, around 2.52 lakh livestock and nearly 5.9 lakh poultry were affected by the flooding.
The state also sanctioned Rs 31.5 lakh for treatment of flood-affected animals. Principal Secretary for Animal Husbandry Rahul Bhandari said officials were directed to respond immediately to crisis calls, provide veterinary care and coordinate with district administrations and social groups. Twenty-eight veterinary teams continue to operate in affected areas, treating animals while also providing reassurance to farmers who saw their life’s work submerged.
Relief efforts included setting up special drainage systems that cleared more than 1,000 acres of waterlogged land to create safe spaces for rescued animals. Control rooms have been established at state and district headquarters, with a 24×7 helpline (0172-5086064) for emergencies.
Rural Development Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sond said the joint distribution of rations and animal feed in later phases of relief reflected the government’s approach of treating all living beings as part of one family.
Officials emphasized that this year’s floods will be remembered not only for the destruction they caused but also for the compassion shown in the state’s response. “True leadership means protecting every heartbeat,” said one senior officer. “When we extend the circle of care to animals, we preserve our humanity.”
