SULTANPUR LODHI, Aug. 22 — Punjab Health Minister Dr. Balbir Singh on Thursday toured the flood-affected areas of Sultanpur Lodhi in Kapurthala district, where more than 20 villages have been inundated by breaches in the Beas river embankments. He assured residents that the state’s health system is fully prepared to meet medical needs arising from the disaster.
Dr. Singh, who had visited the Sultanpur Lodhi Civil Hospital the previous night, was accompanied on his inspection by Rajya Sabha MP Balbir Singh Seechewal, Sultanpur Lodhi constituency in-charge Sajjan Singh Cheema, as well as the Kapurthala deputy commissioner, senior medical officer, civil surgeon and senior superintendent of police. The team surveyed flooded areas by boat, stopped at homes and cattle sheds, and interacted with villagers.
Floodwaters entered Baupur and nearly 18 adjoining villages after a temporary bundh broke earlier this week. Additional breaches in protective embankments at Mandala Channa caused further damage to farmlands, while a smaller breach was reported Friday at Ali Kalan village. The fluctuating water levels, caused by rainfall and dam releases, have left residents fearful of infections, allergies and waterborne diseases from the stagnant, muddy water.
At one stop during the visit, the Health Minister himself encountered a snake on a generator — a stark reminder of the risks facing locals. Speaking to the media, he said, “I have been entrusted with the duty to ensure that arrangements for treatment are up to the mark. The Chief Minister has asked me to get a detailed report. All health and emergency mechanisms are fully prepared. Dengue wards, diarrhoea wards and emergency services are in place, and medicines are stocked at medical units.”
The minister stressed that the Sultanpur Lodhi Civil Hospital has been designated as a base facility for relief operations. Adequate medicines have been stored, ambulances deployed, and mobile teams prepared to reach people cut off by the waters. “While flies and mosquitoes are surprisingly fewer here compared to urban areas, precautions are needed. All medical facilities are ready to take in patients in view of the floods,” he said.
Dr. Singh, accompanied by Seechewal and Cheema, also visited Sangra village, where he praised the resilience of flood-hit families. “The area is bearing the brunt of the floods, but the spirit of service remains alive,” he said. “Despite being marooned in their homes, people are offering hospitality to visitors. Sangat groups are also doing sewa in the region. The indomitable spirit of the people remains unfazed despite the flood.”
The visit followed a tour by Revenue Minister Hardeep Singh Mundian a day earlier, when he directed the administration to conduct a special girdawari once waters recede. Officials have been asked to submit reports promptly so that compensation can be provided to affected residents.
