As normalcy returns post-floods in Amritsar, those affected face daunting task of rebuilding lives, homes

Life is slowly limping back to normal a fortnight after the devastating floods in river Ravi wreaked havoc in villages located in Ramdass and Ajnala, resulting in widespread devastation, loss of lives, crops, livestock and houses.

NGOs, philanthropists, actors and singers from the Punjabi entertainment industry and Bollywood besides farmer unions came to the rescue of the people while the district administration also did not leave any stone unturned, launching rescue and relief operations since Day 1 of the tragedy.

The flood water has now started receding though a larger area, mainly farmlands, remains inundated. Sand and silt that came along with the flood waters from Ravi river have settled in the agricultural fields.

The residents of the affected areas are struggling with the aftermath of floods. The one problem they are facing is of clothes and bedding which were destroyed in these floods.

Harjit Kaur of Ghonewal village has been trying her best to dry the clothes and bedding in the sun.

“The sudden floods left us with no time and all the belongings drowned in the 10-feet deep gushing waters that entered the houses following massive breaches in the protective bundhs along the Ravi river,” she said. Only time will tell how much has been left and how much was destroyed, she added.

Manjinder Singh of Machhiwal village said that the district administration, NGOs and people from the community extended a helping hand and distributed ration and other eatables after the natural calamity visited them. However, the struggle now was on surviving in the ensuing times.

There are many residents left with nothing as their houses also collapsed during the floods. Many NGOs, Punjabi actors and singers have assured of reconstructing their houses.