The worst-hit districts include Amritsar (1,515 acres), Ferozepur (1,101 acres), Gurdaspur (544 acres), and Nawanshahr (539 acres). Most of the damaged areas were privately owned farmland lying close to old riverbeds, where land is cheap but flood-prone. In many places, rivers have shifted their course by almost 100 feet every decade, eating into cultivated land.

Illegal mining in riverbeds worsened the erosion, officials admit. Affected farmers will get Rs 19,000 per acre compensation, but the land may remain uncultivable for three to four years due to deep craters. Officials say such massive land loss has not been seen in 40 years of Punjab’s history.

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Sukhrajbir Pal Singh Gill from Kakkar said the raging river changed its course, sweeping away their fields before crossing into Pakistan. “We could only watch as our ancestral land disappeared,” he said. His family lost 15 of their 50 acres.

For many villagers, the loss is both economic and emotional. Farming is their only livelihood, and now even that is slipping away. “The erosion is ongoing. Our land continues to vanish,” said Jasbir Singh.

Harjit Singh of Rania added that the land was more than income—it was their identity. Some villagers also blamed unregulated dam releases upstream for the crisis.

Officials promised compensation under SDRF rules: ₹47,000 per hectare for land, ₹20,000 per acre for crops, and input subsidy. But farmers call this relief inadequate. Jamhoori Kisan Sabha leader Ratan Singh Randhawa demanded ₹45 lakh per acre for land washed away.

The post Washed Away Dreams: Ravi River Erodes Amritsar Farmers’ Land appeared first on India Podcast.

The minister said Prime Minister Narendra Modi had asked Union ministers to visit flood-hit regions. They were directed to meet families, listen to their concerns, and assess the ground situation.

Khadse visited Patiala district, mainly the Ghanaur Assembly segment. She was accompanied by BJP leader and former Patiala MP Preneet Kaur.

She met families in Jand Mangoli, Untsar, Kami Khurd, and Chamaru villages. Many residents described heavy crop losses and damage to homes caused by the overflowing Ghaggar river.

Taking note of their difficulties, Khadse instructed the SDM to conduct a comprehensive survey. She said compensation should reach victims directly and without delay. Relief must be transparent and fair.

Her visit was part of a broader exercise launched after the Prime Minister’s recent tour of Punjab. Several Union ministers have been deployed to inspect flood-hit districts and coordinate with state authorities.

Farmers expressed hope that the survey will ensure faster relief. They also demanded long-term measures to prevent recurring flood damage.

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AAP leader and Punjab affairs in-charge Manish Sisodia shared this update in a press conference. The move comes as lakhs of acres have become uncultivable due to heavy deposits of sand and silt brought by the Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej rivers. Farmers already struggling with huge losses will get some financial relief from selling the sand.

Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, who is recovering from a bacterial infection in a Mohali hospital, will attend the Cabinet meeting via video call. Sisodia said the CM is concerned about the massive damage to crops like paddy, cotton, maize, and sugarcane across 4.3 lakh acres.

Farmers from Tarn Taran and Gurdaspur told Sisodia that selling the sand is the only way to recover losses. The CM has agreed to make policy changes quickly so that farmers can extract and sell sand from their fields without delay.

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Jakhar blamed illegal mining for weakening river embankments. At Ghonewal village, residents told him the Dhussi bund broke because miners, backed by politicians, damaged it. When officials were asked when the embankment was last fortified, they admitted it had not happened recently. Jakhar said timely repairs could have reduced losses.

He criticised the irrigation minister for promising foolproof arrangements but failing to act. “Preparatory meetings never took place. Floods come every year, yet no one prepared,” he said.

Jakhar estimated that four lakh acres of farmland are under water, with crop damage close to 100 percent. From paddy to sugarcane, farmers face total loss. He urged the Centre to provide a comprehensive relief package and to consider new check dams and stronger embankments.

Despite the devastation, Jakhar praised Punjabis for showing generosity, saying their unity brings hope in this crisis.

The post Punjab BJP chief Sunil Jakhar Slams State Govt Over Flood Mismanagement appeared first on India Podcast.

Two central teams also arrived. Officials from Agriculture, Jal Shakti, Roads, and Energy joined them. They will prepare reports for the Centre.

Chouhan walked through knee-deep water in Ghonewal village, Ajnala. The village remained under 10-12 feet water after a major embankment breach. He was accompanied by Union Minister Ravneet Bittu, BJP state chief Sunil Jakhar, senior leader Tarun Chugh, and Amritsar MP Gurjit Aujla.

Ajnala MLA Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal met Chouhan. He sought a ₹2,000-crore package and said the Ravi floods were worse than 1988. Chouhan assured complete Central support for relief and rehabilitation.

Punjab Agriculture Minister Gurmeet Singh Khuddian also met Chouhan. He said over 4 lakh acres of farmland had submerged. He demanded ₹8,000 crore of Rural and Market Development Funds and the pending ₹60,000 crore package. He warned of threats to food security and huge losses in livestock.

Earlier, Governor Gulab Chand Kataria gave his flood damage report of five districts to Chouhan.

The post Shivraj Chouhan Assesses Punjab Floods, Assures Relief appeared first on India Podcast.

Arora visited flood-hit areas in Ajnala and Ramdas along with PWD Minister Harbhajan Singh ETO and MLA Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal. He reviewed the damage and inspected ongoing relief operations by the district administration.

He said nearly 3 lakh acres of farmland, mostly paddy, remain under water. Farmers face huge crop losses weeks before harvest. Many households also lost livestock, worsening the crisis for rural families that depend on dairy and farming.

Arora criticised the BJP-led Central Government for ignoring Punjab. He said the state has lost ₹50,000 crore in revenue since GST and another ₹8,000 crore is stuck under RDF and MDF. He also pointed out that PMGSY projects worth ₹828 crore were scrapped, weakening rural connectivity.

The minister said current relief rates—₹6,800 per acre for crop damage and ₹1.20 lakh for homes—are unfair. He demanded ₹50,000 per acre for farmers and higher aid for houses and deaths. “Punjab needs urgent help, not photo sessions,” Arora said.

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