Relief sent to flood-hit Punjab dists, support pledged after water recedes

Even as floodwaters continue to engulf vast stretches of farmland across Punjab, farmers from unaffected regions are getting mobilised. From dry ration and medicines to fodder and sanitary supplies, relief material is being dispatched daily to submerged villages, with a promise of deeper support once the floodwaters recede.

Harinder Singh Lakhowal, general secretary of Bharatiya Kisan Union (Lakhowal), said, “Right now, our priority is survival. We’re sending food, medicines, fodder and essentials. But once the water recedes, we’ll be there with tractors, ploughs and manpower to help our brothers reclaim their fields.”

The floods — triggered by swollen rivers and relentless rainfall — have devastated over 3 lakh acres of farmland across 23 districts.

Baldev Singh from Maachiwara, who coordinated a relief convoy to Kapurthala, said, “We’ve sent drinking water, flour, pulses, sanitary supplies and medicines. We’re collecting more every day. Once the land dries, we’ll help plough it, clear the silt and prepare it for the next crop. We won’t let them stand alone.”

In Koom Kalan, Kulvir Singh has offered his tractor and rotavator for free use in flood-hit villages. “We’ve made a list of farmers who need help. As soon as the soil is workable, we’ll go district by district. This is our duty.”

Farmer groups are also preparing organic manure and compost to restore soil health, anticipating the damage caused by waterlogging and sedimentation. “The floods have stripped the land of nutrients,” said Gurpreet Singh from Khamano. “We’re collecting cow dung and biofertilisers to be sent,” he added.