Delhi government announces Rs 5 crore aid for Punjab flood relief

The Delhi government has announced that it will provide a financial assistance of Rs 5 crore to the Punjab government to aid in its relief efforts following the devastating floods that have marooned the state in recent days.

In a welcome gesture, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta made the announcement of Rs 5 crore financial assistance to the Punjab Chief Minister Relief Fund aimed at facilitating flood relief efforts.

Gupta also spoke to her Punjab counterpart Bhagwant Mann over the phone and assured him of every possible help Delhi can offer as the northwestern state grapples with the most severe floods in decades.

In the worst flooding since 1988, floods in Punjab have claimed over 40 lives and affected more than 3.84 lakh people, with all 23 districts of the state hit.

Officials report that 1,902 villages have been impacted as floodwaters continue to spread due to overflowing rivers like the Sutlej, Beas and Ravi, along with seasonal rivulets swollen by heavy rainfall in Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir.

Continued rainfall within Punjab has worsened the situation. More than 1.48 lakh hectares of standing crops have been destroyed.

Farmers have also reported the loss of livestock. Many houses have been damaged or washed away.

In some areas, farmland has turned into water bodies as deep as 8 to 10 feet, forcing people to use boats to move around.

CELEBRITIES STEP FORWARD TO HELP PUNJAB

In these tough times for Punjab, several noted celebrities have come forward to provide help in relief efforts. Some have pledged financial assitance, while others have offered relief materials.

Actors Sanjay Dutt, Sonu Sood and Randeep Hooda have supported the flood relief efforts in various ways. Actor Akshay Kumar has also pledged Rs 5 crore to aid relief and rehabilitation efforts in the flood-hit state.

Also, Punjabi folk singer Gurdas Maan donated Rs 25 lakh to the CM Relief Fund along with medicines worth Rs 5 lakh.

Diljit Dosanjh’s Saanjh Foundation has adopted 10 of the worst-hit villages, while Ammy Virk pledged to adopt 200 of the worst-affected houses.

Punjabi actor-singer Himanshi Khurana also said she will contribute to helping resettle 10 families in flood-affected areas.

Meanwhile, Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Punjab Kings (PBKS) captain and India batter Shreyas Iyer has appealed for donations to support the flood-affected Punjab. The team has already donated Rs 33.8 lakh.

The IPL franchise has set a target of collecting Rs 2 crore through public donations to provide maximum relief to the victims.

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