Doraha residents urge admn to use idle boats in flood rescue operations

Considering the crucial role boats play in undertaking rescue activities and flood relief operations, residents of Doraha have demanded that the ones recently brought by a private company at the Kingdom Park be relocated to the flood-affected areas.

Jandeep Kaushal, a resident, said, “As I caught sight of the boats during my walk this morning, I realised they were serving nobody docked there as people seldom come for boating in this inclement weather. Another thought that flashed through my mind was the immense service these could offer to those who are stuck in the fury of the floods, mainly due to the lack of any such mode of transportation.”

Jandeep lost no time and gathered some like-minded people to make an earnest request to Payal’s SDM for transferring these boats to the flood-hit regions to assist in rescue operations.

“Not only these, utilising such boats from all over the state could significantly enhance the rescue operations and provide essential support to those stranded. The situation demands swift action as every minute counts. The authorities should expedite the deployment of these boats without further delay,” Kaushal added.

Barjinder Jandu, a social worker, said, “What is the use of such infrastructure when it cannot be put to use to save lives during a crisis. We earnestly demand the administration to utilise these boats.”

Payal SDM Pardeep Bains said he had already informed Jagraon’s SDM about the availability of the two boats. “If any such emergent situation arises in the district, the boats shall immediately be provided on a priority basis since nothing is more important than saving lives,” the SDM added.

Sond flags off relief truck to villages in Fazilka

Ludhiana: Cabinet Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sond on Thursday flagged off a second truck of cattle feed from Khanna to flood-affected villages in Fazilka district.

While addressing mediapersons, Sond said the state was grappling with the devastation caused by floods and people were sending large quantities of relief materials to the affected areas. He emphasised the importance of collective efforts in this time of need, appreciating the people of Khanna after the dispatch of the second truck of feed. This relief material will be distributed in the flood-affected areas of Fazilka. He assured residents that relief efforts would continue unabated until the state recovered from the crisis. He urged all Punjabis to contribute, stressing that Punjab must stand on its own feet.