Punjab floods: Mann initiates 'Mission Chardi Kala' amidst Rs 13,800 crore loss

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Wednesday launched ‘Mission Chardi Kala’ — a global fundraising campaign to raise funds for the state government’s rehabilitation efforts for 2025 Punjab flood victims.

In a video message, the Chief Minister said that in the past days, the state witnessed a scene that our generations will never forget. He said that the floods didn’t just bring water, rather it washed away millions of dreams.

In numbers:

• 2,300 villages submerged
• Over 2 million people affected
• 5 lakh acres of crops destroyed
• 56 precious lives lost
• 7 lakh people homeless
• 3,200 government schools damaged
• 19 colleges turned into rubble
• 1,400 clinics and hospitals ruined
• 8,500 km of roads destroyed
• 2,500 bridges collapsed

Mann said that according to initial estimates, the loss is around Rs 13,800 crore and the actual damage may be even greater.

The CM said that this is the most horrifying tragedy in Punjab’s history adding that this is state’s biggest test, too, as every time Punjab has faced a crisis, “…we have never bowed down but we have stood tall, with strength and courage”.

The Chief Minister said that now it is time to move beyond relief and begin rehabilitation as the farmers need to sow their fields again. He appealed to every Punjabi, to every citizen of India, to industrialists, artists, charitable trusts, and to all Punjabi brothers and sisters across the world that today Punjab needs them. He gave them a clarion call to come together and hold Punjab’s hand in this time of need.

Meanwhile, the Chief Minister held a video conference with the Deputy Commissioners of all districts to review the flood-relief efforts. He directed the Deputy Commissioners to visit the flood relief camps and other affected areas daily to ensure that people do not face any kind of inconvenience.