Hope, chaos at Baupur bandh in Sultanpur Lodhi: Flood relief efforts for over 2,000 people

The Baupur bandh has become a microcosm of the chaos that marks villages awaiting relief and rescue during the Sultanpur Lodhi floods. It serves as the epicentre for relief and rescue efforts for over 2,000 people across more than 20 villages submerged in water. The bandh is a symbol of the community’s resilient spirit, reflecting the determination of the people of Sultanpur Lodhi, who have braved floods repeatedly since 1985 and got back on their feet again year after year.

As one approaches the bandh from Government Primary School in Lakh Warian, the lush green landscape gives way to a sombre and brown terrain marked by oppressive heat. Walking across a kilometre-long strip lined with trucks, water tanks, and vehicles piled with essential supplies, one steps into an ocean of brown, muddy waters. Wading through water is unavoidable while navigating the bandh.

The bandh serves as a base camp for relief and rescue efforts, catering to thousands of people across Baupur, Rampur Gaura, Sangra, and numerous other villages flooded in Sultanpur Lodhi. This makeshift camp is akin to a relief camp, port, conference room, and selfie point all in one. The bandh is bustling with activity, featuring Army and SDRF personnel, whimpering dogs, elderly women salvaging belongings, mooing cattle, and curious visitors, all sharing the same strip of land.

Parts of the bandh have been flooded, making it challenging to access the boat point on foot. Scores of cattle and dogs are tied up, while people wait for hours to board boats with their belongings. A single manji (cot) under the shade of a bus provides a rare respite, shared by tired relief workers, journalists, and women from AAP Mahila Wing.

The scorching sun beats down relentlessly, except for the brief shadows cast by the Army vehicle and bus. Despite the harsh conditions, villagers continue to carry out selfless service (sewa). As Rajya Sabha MP Balbir Singh Seechewal waits to ferry the Moga MLA to flood-hit villages, there’s a scramble for boats. Even the MP, who has three boats, waits for his vessels to return from villages, only to face overcrowding.

The bandh is a hub of activity, with villagers bringing cattle for grazing, people sitting with sacks, and those in medical emergencies awaiting rides in the blistering heat. The three boats, including a ship-sized one provided by Sultanpur Lodhi MLA Rana Inderpartap, are used by Baupur villager Paramjit Singh and workers from the Sarhali dera to provide rescue operations throughout the day.

Despite the challenges, the community’s spirit remains unbroken. Villagers, some of whom have lost their homes to the floods, continue to provide relentless service. The wait for boats is a significant challenge, with scores of people and cattle waiting for hours to board a vessel. Army personnel are strict about using their boats only for relief and rescue operations.