Punjab floods: Unwell CM Bhagwant Mann welcomes PM Narendra Modi's visit; toll 51

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit Punjab on Tuesday to assess the damage caused by heavy monsoon floods that have affected thousands across the state. The flood situation has worsened, with the death toll rising to 51, up from 46 on Sunday, according to the Department of Information and Public Relations, Punjab. Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann, who is recovering at a private hospital in Mohali, welcomed the PM’s visit and expressed hope for adequate relief measures. In a late Tuesday evening social media post, Mann wrote, "I welcome him. I am unwell, otherwise, I would have personally come to make him inspect flood-affected areas. I hope that the Prime Minister will announce an adequate package or make an announcement to give relief for the losses suffered by Punjab and Punjabis due to the natural calamity." In the CM's absence, Punjab AAP president and cabinet minister Aman Arora and agriculture minister Gurmeet Singh Khudian are expected to meet the PM during the Gurdaspur review meeting. Representing the BJP, state party president Sunil Jakhar and working president Ashwani Sharma will also be present to greet the PM. Jakhar said that Modi is also scheduled to meet flood-affected residents at the meeting venue. A senior Punjab Police officer said that while the PM’s visit is primarily for an aerial survey, all arrangements are in place should a road visit become necessary due to weather conditions.

"Weather permitting, it will be an aerial survey only. In case there is inclement weather and he takes to the road route, all arrangements are in place," the officer said. Punjab’s ruling AAP has accused the Centre of “not taking any steps" and withholding a "rightful share” of Rs 60,000 crore owed to the state. However, Jakhar defended the central government, highlighting the assistance provided by the Army, Air Force, and NDRF in rescue operations.

He further said that both the Prime Minister and Union Home Minister Amit Shah have held telephonic discussions with the CM regarding the flood situation. “Criticising the PM for not taking to social media is not correct,” Jakhar said, adding, “Had the PM put out a tweet, he would have been accused of doing nothing but merely tweeting.” Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and central teams have already visited the flood-hit areas, Jakhar added. Punjab BJP working president Ashwani Sharma posted on X that the visit sends a clear message that "the central govt stands with us in Punjab’s pain and suffering". He added, "The terrible floods that struck Punjab have severely affected the farmers, labourers, and common citizens of Punjab. In such a situation, PM Modi’s visit to Punjab sends a clear message that Punjab is not alone, but the entire country and the central govt stand firmly with Punjab.

" The heavy monsoon rains over the past week have caused rivers to swell and inundated several districts, leaving over 3 lakh people affected and prompting large-scale relief operations across the state.