Rahul Gandhi to visit Punjab flood-hit victims.
Rahul Gandhi announced a financial assistance package of ₹1,600 crore for flood-hit Punjab, supplementing the already available ₹12,000 crore in the state’s kitty. The move aims to provide immediate relief and support to affected families, rebuild damaged infrastructure, and help restore normalcy in severely impacted regions.
Chandigarh: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is set to visit the flood-ravaged districts of Punjab on Monday, where he will meet with victims and assess the devastation firsthand. His visit, which will cover the severely affected Amritsar and Gurdaspur districts, is expected to focus on listening to the concerns of local residents whose lives have been upended by one of the worst flood disasters the state has seen in decades.
Gandhi arrived earlier in the day at the Sri Guru Ramdas Jee International Airport in Amritsar, where he was welcomed by key state Congress leaders, including Punjab Congress chief Amrinder Singh Raja Warring, Leader of Opposition in the Punjab Assembly Partap Singh Bajwa, and Amritsar MP Gurjit Singh Aujla. His arrival was marked by a sense of urgency as party leaders emphasized the need for continued relief and rehabilitation efforts for thousands of families affected by the calamity.
Punjab has been reeling from catastrophic floods triggered by incessant rainfall in the catchment areas of the Sutlej, Beas, and Ravi rivers, as well as numerous seasonal rivulets fed by heavy downpours in neighboring Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir. The sudden surge of water left villages submerged, farmland destroyed, and countless families displaced. In many areas, roads and bridges were either damaged or washed away, making rescue operations extremely challenging. Local accounts speak of sleepless nights, hurried evacuations, and people watching helplessly as their homes and livelihoods were swallowed by the rising waters.
For farmers in particular, the floods have come as a devastating blow. Punjab, often described as the food bowl of India, has seen vast tracts of paddy fields and standing crops ruined, raising concerns about both immediate food security and long-term agricultural recovery. Families who depended entirely on farming now face an uncertain future, with the loss of crops compounding debts and financial hardship.
Rahul Gandhi’s visit aims to not only assess the physical damage but also express solidarity with flood-affected families. Party leaders said he would interact directly with villagers, farmers, and displaced families to better understand the gaps in relief and rehabilitation measures. For many victims, such visits are seen as both symbolic gestures of support and opportunities to draw national attention to their struggles.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had already reviewed the flood situation on September 9 through an aerial survey of the worst-hit areas. Following his assessment, he announced a financial assistance package of ₹1,600 crore for Punjab, adding to the ₹12,000 crore already available in the state’s kitty. While the funds are expected to provide immediate relief, community leaders and experts stress that long-term recovery will require much more—particularly in rebuilding infrastructure, compensating farmers, and creating safeguards against future flooding.
Residents of Amritsar and Gurdaspur, still grappling with the aftermath, hope that Gandhi’s visit will amplify their voices at the national level. What we need is not just money but real support to rebuild our lives,” said one villager awaiting Gandhi’s arrival.
The tragedy has once again highlighted the urgent need for better flood management and preparedness in Punjab and neighboring states. Experts warn that with changing rainfall patterns due to climate change, such extreme events may become more frequent. This makes investment in stronger embankments, early warning systems, and coordinated interstate water management critical.
As Rahul Gandhi tours the affected areas, the focus will be on whether his presence brings more momentum to ongoing relief efforts and whether it pressures both state and central authorities to speed up rehabilitation measures. For those in the flood-hit villages, however, the immediate priority remains survival and the hope of rebuilding life from the ruins left behind by the raging waters.