Govt, residents together can make a difference

It is really pitiful to see the plight of flood-affected families. We all must come forward to help our brethren in the hour of need. The government agencies are also doing their best to assist the affected families. But our system is such that the compensation does not reach the right person, and even if it does, it is not the full amount. Due to corruption, a lion's share is eaten up by corrupt officials and the needy only get the residual amount, if any. In such scenario, the role of the higher officials becomes all the more important. They should ensure that the relief material reaches the right person. Even the lower rank officials should rise above their selfish motives and help the flood victims whole heartedly. Even NGOs can come forward and play a significant role in bringing their lives back on track. It is our collective problem and we all must join hands to support all the flood-affected families. 

Bir Devinder Singh Bedi  

Provide basic amenities on priority

Flood is an unforeseeable natural calamity which not only ruins the lives of several people but is also disastrous for the economy. Depending on the weather forecast, the government should take preventive steps and warn the public in advance. People from vulnerable areas should be shifted to some safer places which should have all basic necessities. Whenever a calamity strikes, the government should take curative measures well in time so that loss can be minimised. The government, educational institutions and NGOs should come forward for timely help. Basic necessities which include eatables, drinking water, torches, ready-to-cook and ready-to-eat meals should be the priority, instead of cash. The government should provide transportation facilities to the NGOs and educational institutions so that they can reach at the flood-affected areas on time and provide help. Rescue operation must be strong and military forces should be appointed. Old-age persons, children and patients should be at top list in rescue operations. As responsible citizens, we should contribute as much as our pocket allows in relief fund accounts maintained by the government. After attaining the stage of stability, the government should calculate the losses of individuals and make timely compensation to them so that they can restart their lives in new way.

Ritu Priya

Assign special duties to paramedical staff, docs

Flood is a natural disaster and due to climate change, it is occurring not only in India, but in other nations too. There may be lose to life and other living creatures due to flood and people also have to bear loss in the form of property and crops. The government always claims to give relief to flood victims, but sometime late relief means no relief given. The local and the state level government may adopt some the measures to give timely relief to the flood victims by forming relief distributing cells which may carry relief material through boats or other water transport means to the flood victims. NGOs should come forward to help the government to carry material to flood victims. Volunteers from Red Cross, and NSS from schools and colleges and lions club, rotary club should come forward to collect the material from the donors and should send the same in time and immediately to flood victims. Special duty be assigned to para-medical and doctors to assist the flood victims. All agencies should work under the single controlling agency for the smooth functioning and to avoid overcrowding at one place. For each year government should reserve some money and material to meet out such types of natural disasters. There should be warning signal for flood so that people may move on safe places for their survival. NDRF teams and military should be kept ready in advance to meet such types of exigencies. We all must come forward to help the flood victim as it is not the problem of sufferers but a natural problem. The gravity and the time of its occurrence are not known to anyone.

Dr Mohd Saleem Farooqui

Set up cell of volunteers

In order to provide relief to flood-affected people well in time, the government should launch a mission led by a coordinator, along with a team of social workers, regional resource centres, local volunteers and leaders from beneficiaries. An active IT cell of professional volunteers needs to be set up to ensure that all essential information is acquired from those stuck and forwarded to government agencies dealing in providing help to those affected. Further, apart from the funds mobilised from various sources, meetings should be arranged for direct linkages of sponsors with the flood-affected people so that they could provide assistance personally. Besides, a system needs to be set up to provide sustainable solutions to the needy people through a systematic and professional manner.

RAVI CHANDER GARG

Provide all possible help to relief committees

The Sub-Divisional Magistrate should maintain a closest possible contact with the relief centres in his tehsil and render all possible help to the relief committees. At each tehsil headquarter, maintain a list of all non-official organisations (NGOs), missions, societies, schools and colleges that can contribute workers, funds, equipment etc. to dealing with the emergency. A representative committee of all such bodies should be set up at each tehsil headquarter immediately and the task of collecting relief material, including food, beddings, funds etc., should be entrusted to them. In special circumstances, it may even be necessary to start langars at the tehsil headquarters for feeding flood-hit victims.

Deeksha 

Implement land use planning measures

The primary effects of flooding include loss of life and damage to buildings and other structures, including bridges, sewerage, systems, roadways, and canals. The government should implement land use planning measures to reduce the probability of flooding and damages. Provide resources during significant floods and storms to assist communities in reducing flood risk and suffering. The government should provide financial assistance under the natural disaster relief and response fund after assessing the impact of flood on residents, livestock, infrastructure as well as crops. 

Angel Arora

Set up fast and transparent system

Democracy is a government "of the people, by the people, and for the people, but this is just on paper. Assuming that people will get timely help from the government in our country is hopeless. The government doesn't perform its duties unless it is told to do. We need to pressurise them to act and monitor their daily progress. NGOs working in those areas can also sync with the government and work with a concrete plan to help the needy. Steps should be taken to have a transparent and fast system which can disseminate information about where help is required and what has been done to cater to the requirements of the flood-affected people.

Rattandeep Singh Oberoi

Rehabilitate victims 

There is the great need for rehabilitation of flood victims in various parts of the state. Farmers who are suffering huge losses as their crops got damaged in the floods need a great supply of seeds. The short-term loans of flood-affected farmers should be converted to medium-term loans. The power department should restore power supply in flood-ravaged areas. The outbreak of diseases such as malaria, jaundice, dengue and other water-borne diseases should be checked. Proper vaccination and medical aid should be provided to the affected people. The food and other necessities should be taken into care till the conditions improve. 

Sehmeen Khokhar

Help govt by donating money and relief material

Floods have created havoc not only in Punjab, but also many parts of the country and many people suffered huge losses due to this. Many villages submerged and thousands of homes and acres of farmland destroyed. Residents of temporary shelters face many problems, including lack of safe drinking water, basic sanitation and hygiene facilities. Therefore, the need of the hour is to provide all basic facilities and help to the flood-affected families. People can also help the government by donating money or relief material. Many online apps such as Zomato and Amazon have come up with flood donation schemes. This can be an authentic method to ensure that affected families get monetary help. Also on regular basis, Helpline numbers, account numbers and bank details are flashed on TV screens, radio and internet so that people can contribute. Many other schemes and initiatives such as Plan India which aims to support thousands of vulnerable people with access to water and dignity kits etc. is a commendable step. The government should also ensure that Red Cross volunteers across the country are focused and motivated to come up with their help and first-aid treatment .The NDRF teams worked day and night and saved more than 1,00,000 people trapped in swirling waters of Kosi River and other areas. 

Cheshta Vohra

Organise medical camps 

During floods, roads, bridges, farms, houses and automobiles are destroyed. Additionally, the government deploys firemen, police and other emergency services are pressed into action. The environment also suffers when floods happen. Many people and livestock lost their lives in the floods. Several people got injured and many got homeless. Flooding brings a lot of diseases and infections. Damage to infrastructure also causes long-term impacts such as disruption to supply of clean water, waste water treatment, electricity, transport, communication, education, healthcare etc. It usually takes years for the affected communities to re-build and businesses to come back to normally. The government agencies, NGOs, community leaders and political parties can play an important role in ensuring timely-rehabilitation of affected people. Medical camps should be organised for flood-affected people to address health issues. 

Ishupreet

Set up relief centres 

Every attempt should be made by the administration as soon as flood warning is received. The authorities should provide resources during significant floods to assist communities in reducing human suffering. The government should set up relief centres in the flood-affected areas which should provide food, medicines and beddings to the locals. The state government or the Apex body for the disaster management called National Disater Management Authority (NDMA) should provide financial assistance to the victims. 

Ashima Saini

Keep record of distribution material

The government should respond actively towards such problems. To ensure that the government agencies provide the relief timely, a record of each and every distribution should be kept so that every family gets equal relief. Also public should approach the government for funds. The government agencies can collaborate with various relief campaigns which raises funds and donations via various organisations. 

Ishita Katyal

Plant more trees to reduce flood effect

As we know flood is a natural disaster, and we can't stop it, but we can reduce its effect by planting more trees. The government agencies as well as non-government organisations should hold tree-plantation drives. One way to ensure that flood-affected families get timely relief is that the government should provide proper medical services and sanitation facilities, food and clothes. The government should take funds from schools through students to provide shelter to people who are suffering.

Niranjan Kaur  

Organise health check-up camps for victims

Floods are natural calamities which cannot be prevented by humans and no technology in the world is so advanced that can put a stop on such disasters. Since our country is encountered by floods every year, it is the responsibility of the government to help the flood victims. The government should make necessary arrangements before monsoon season to reduce the number of deaths. Health check-up camps should be organised to provide medical aid to the affected people. Citizens should also be responsible enough to donate relief material and help the government in providing relief to the flood victims. NGOs should also be given a chance to contribute their bit in helping the flood victims. These small steps can make a big difference in helping people struck in floods.

Ashmeet Kaur

Move victims to safer places on time

The government should strive to do their best in reducing the suffering of flood-affected people. The government should move the victims to safer places and provide timely help. There should be no insufficiency of food and clothing which should be provided by the local authorities. The directorate should try to pool the items and divert the same to other flood-hit areas. The administration should also provide fodder to the cattle and oversee the conditions of animals too.  

Varun Sharma

Survey affected areas

Flood causes havoc every year during monsoon season. Thousands of people get affected by it. The government agencies must survey the flood-affected areas and listen to the grievances of affected people. It should set up relief camps to provide food and shelter to the victims. It must take immediate help of army and police to save the flood victims.

KAMALDEEP KAUR

Monitor goods meant for flood victims

The government should ensure that relief reaches the affected persons by regularly monitoring the goods that are to be given to the victims. Make a WhatsApp help group with sarpanch and few other members of the village who will look if the distribution is going on in fair manner. Get volunteers for helping the needy and set up a medical camp to provide aid to the victims.

Jeevanjot Kaur

Repair infrastructure

To ensure the timely relief for flood-affected families, the government should launch an organisation which will work for the uplift of affected cities and families. With the help of that organization, the government should provide relief kits with essentials such as blankets, groceries, sanitary pads etc. to the victims. The government agencies should also repair infrastructure once the affected people are rehabilitated. 

Gurleen kaur

General public can make donations

Flood-affected families should get timely relief from the government agencies as the victims have lost their loved ones, homes, livestock and are exposed to health issues. The government agencies should provide the victims financial support and also relief material such as food, clothes and shelter. General public can also help the victims by making donations.

Bismanpreet Kaur 

Stay alert 

Due to floods, huge destruction was witnessed in many parts of the state. The government agencies should survey the flood-affected areas so that they can make an estimate of people who are stuck in the floods. Relief of food and portable water should be send by helicopters. The government agencies should stay alert of the areas which are prone to floods and provide information to the authorities concerned if rescue or relief is required anywhere. The government agencies should also look after the rehabilitation of people who lost their homes and cattle in the flood so that they can again stand on their feet. The government agencies should run programmes about donation. 

Abhilasha singh

Set up an alarm system for timely action

During floods, victims lose everything from their homes to loved ones. There are several ways to send