**Punjab Battles Severe Floods: Centre Assures Full Support as Over 4 Lakh Acres Submerged**
Chandigarh: Punjab continues to reel under the fury of devastating floods. On Thursday, Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Chouhan visited the worst-affected areas in Amritsar and Gurdaspur districts to assess the situation firsthand. Demonstrating solidarity with the flood-hit population, Chouhan even rode a tractor to reach inundated fields.
During his visit, Chouhan interacted closely with the farmers and local residents affected by the floods, assuring them of the Centre’s full support in this challenging time. Accompanied by senior BJP leaders, including Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu and State BJP Chief Sunil Jakhar, he praised the resilience of Punjabis. “Punjabis have always been at the forefront when it came to serving the country and humanity, but today the state is facing difficult times due to floods,” he said. “The Centre fully stands with the people of Punjab in this difficult hour.”
**Over 4 Lakh Acres of Agricultural Land Submerged**
Meanwhile, Punjab Agriculture Minister Gurmeet Singh Khudian, who accompanied Chouhan during the visit, urged the Union Minister to sanction immediate relief and a massive financial package to mitigate the devastating impact of the floods. With more than four lakh acres of agricultural land submerged, the situation poses a serious threat to both state and national food security.
Khudian highlighted that paddy fields have been the worst affected, just weeks ahead of the harvesting season. “This devastation has resulted in significant losses for farmers and has adversely impacted the state’s agricultural economy,” he stated, calling for enhanced compensation to support the affected farming community.
**Dams Continue to Release Water Amid Ongoing Rains**
The flood crisis is further aggravated by continuous rainfall and increased water discharge from key dams in the region. A controlled outflow from the Bhakra Dam was necessary, as its water level on Thursday reached approximately 1,679 feet — just one foot below the maximum capacity level.
Similarly, the Pong Dam’s water level rose to 1,394.51 feet, exceeding its maximum permissible limit by about four feet. The water discharge from the Ranjit Sagar Dam was also increased following a rise in its reservoir level, signaling potential worsening of the flood situation in Punjab.
**Chief Minister Mann Falls Ill, Cancels Flood Relief Visits**
In a related update, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann reportedly fell ill on Thursday due to a viral infection, resulting in fever. Consequently, his scheduled visits to flood-affected areas alongside Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) supremo Arvind Kejriwal were cancelled. His health condition is being closely monitored as flood relief efforts continue.
**Rivers Ghaggar and Markanda Trigger Panic in Haryana**
The flooding threat is not confined to Punjab alone. The Ghaggar and Markanda rivers, flowing above the danger mark, have caused panic in various parts of Haryana including Ambala, Kurukshetra, and Sirsa districts. Authorities in these areas have issued evacuation orders, urging residents to move to safer locations as precautionary measures against further flooding.
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As Punjab and neighboring states grapple with the ongoing flood crisis, efforts from the Centre and local authorities aim to provide immediate relief and long-term support for affected communities. The situation remains dynamic, and updates will follow as relief operations progress.
https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/punjab-floods-union-agriculture-minister-shivraj-chouhan-assures-full-support-from-centre-video
