New Delhi, Sept. 30 – Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann met Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi on Tuesday to brief him on the devastation caused by recent floods in the state, which have claimed nearly 60 lives. Mann requested a special flood relief package from the Centre to aid recovery efforts.
“Damages have been estimated at Rs 13,800 crore so far, but the figure could rise to Rs 20,000 crore,” Mann said after the meeting. He described the widespread impact, with more than 2,300 villages submerged, around five lakh people rendered homeless, 3,200 schools damaged, and 8,500 km of roads blocked by debris. Nearly 2,500 bridges and culverts have also been affected, and textbooks for schoolchildren washed away, forcing delays in semesters and exams.
Mann highlighted Punjab’s history of supporting the nation during crises and appealed for reciprocal assistance. Amit Shah assured the Chief Minister that the Centre would provide additional aid to help the state cope with the disaster.
The floods have emerged as one of the most severe in recent years, disrupting infrastructure, education, and livelihoods across Punjab. State authorities are continuing relief operations while coordinating with central agencies to assess and address the damage.
