Chandigarh, September 1: As Punjab reels under devastating floods triggered by the overflowing Sutlej, Beas and Ravi rivers and seasonal rivulets swollen by heavy rains in Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and Sikh organisations have stepped in to bolster government-led rescue and relief operations.
Volunteers are distributing rations, arranging fodder for livestock, and helping evacuate vulnerable residents from inundated areas. Families in several villages reported that floodwaters rose five to six feet, forcing them to take shelter on rooftops along with their cattle to keep them safe. Losses to households include destroyed mattresses, beds and electronic goods.
Manjot Singh of Baba Deep Singh Sewa Dal Garhdiwala said their teams have deployed boats in Ferozepur and adjoining villages to assist residents. “We have eight boats, which have been deployed for providing relief material and evacuating those who are stranded in the swamped areas,” Singh told PTI.
Among the worst-hit districts are Gurdaspur, Pathankot, Fazilka, Kapurthala, Tarn Taran, Ferozepur, Hoshiarpur and Amritsar. Sikh religious institutions, including the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), have also mobilised aid. Several gurdwaras in flood-affected regions have converted their premises into relief centres.
On Saturday, SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami visited the flood-hit constituencies of Ramdas and Dera Baba Nanak along the Ravi river. The SGPC sent 150 quintals of wheat flour, 30 quintals of pulses, 5,000 cartons of drinking water and other supplies to Dera Baba Nanak, along with two truckloads of aid for Ramdas.
Akal Takht officiating Jathedar Giani Kuldip Singh Gargaj urged the Sikh community and Punjabis at large to extend all possible help. “It is important to ensure that no Punjabi is left without shelter and food during this disaster, and that livestock also receives necessary fodder,” he said.
In Hoshiarpur, the district administration launched the Charda Suraj campaign in collaboration with the Red Cross Society and several NGOs, reaching 1,225 flood-affected residents. Relief under the campaign included langar services, fodder for cattle and distribution of essentials.
According to officials, participating organisations included the Red Cross Society, Unnati Cooperative Sabha, Baba Deep Singh Welfare Society, Guru Nanak Sewa Society of Gera village in Mukerian, Doaba Kisan Sangharsh Committee, Humanity First, Sarbat Da Bhala Sewa Society, Lions Club Tanda, Paint and Hardware Association, and Guru Ramdas Sewa Society. Civil Defence teams and Baba Deep Singh Welfare Society volunteers also played a role in evacuating stranded families.
