The problem is worst in Nihala Lavera, Dheera Ghara, Talli Gulam, Kaluwala, Tandiwala, Bhane Wali Basti, and Navi Gatti Rajo Ke. Mandeep Kaur of Dheera Ghara said she never imagined Punjab, the land of five rivers, would see people survive only on bottled water.

Health Minister Balbir Singh visited the flood-hit areas. He urged villagers to boil water, use chlorine tablets, and drink ORS-mixed water to avoid disease. He told health officials to send safe drinking water without delay.

Village leaders say no water tanks have reached them yet. Gurjant Singh, sarpanch of Nihala Lavera, asked the government to install RO systems in affected villages. Malkeet Singh of Kaluwala warned that borewell and handpump water is unsafe, putting residents at serious risk.

The post Sutlej Villages Face Water Crisis After Floods 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.

The post Union Minister Promises Punjab Flood Compensation appeared first on India Podcast.

During the visit, Sanjay Seth held discussions with Army and Border Security Force (BSF) officials. The BSF briefed him that the Ravi floods had caused breaches in dhussi bundhs (earthen embankments) in Amritsar, Gurdaspur and Pathankot. Around 30 km of border fencing and several outposts were damaged or washed away, creating serious challenges for border security.

Earlier, Satish S Khandare, Additional Director General of BSF Western Command, carried out an aerial survey of the affected districts. His inspection highlighted the large-scale damage to border infrastructure, stressing the urgency of reconstruction and reinforcement.

The defence minister of state also visited Motla, Dhandal, Nepal, Karial, Shahpur and Bhindi Saidan villages. He listened to grievances of residents and assured them that both the defence and civil authorities would coordinate rehabilitation and restoration efforts without delay.

The post Sanjay Seth Visits Flood-Hit Border Areas in Amritsar appeared first on India Podcast.

Earlier, Badal demanded a ₹20,000 crore flood relief package and a full farm loan waiver for farmers and labourers. He stressed that Punjab’s farmers, who powered India’s Green Revolution, deserve national support. He also announced plans to desilt farmland using machinery and volunteers, stating he was ready to face action for protecting farmers’ rights.

Badal personally visited flood-hit areas in Nakodar, Phillaur, and Sahnewal, providing cash aid and diesel for relief operations. He distributed over ₹25 lakh and 40,000 litres of diesel to strengthen bundhs and support earth-moving work. Local farmers complained that the AAP government had failed to provide timely help. SAD leaders joined him during these visits.

This emergency meeting comes a day before Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s scheduled visit to Punjab.

The post Sukhbir Badal Calls Emergency Meeting on Punjab Flood Crisis appeared first on India Podcast.

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.

The post Punjab Govt to Let Farmers Sell Flood Sand appeared first on India Podcast.

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.

He alleged that the sudden water release damaged hundreds of houses and covered farmlands in Amritsar with silt and mud. Warring said the Irrigation Department failed to protect people living along the Ravi River. Senior Congress leaders also criticised the government for its “complete failure” in handling the disaster.

Warring demanded an investigation into the dam’s water release. He stressed that the people of Punjab deserve answers and protection from such man-made crises.

The Congress leader also announced that the party has raised over ₹2 crore for flood relief. Committees have been set up in Ferozepur, Amritsar, Hoshiarpur, and Ludhiana constituencies to mobilise resources and ensure proper distribution of aid.

He added that party workers were helping farmers by clearing silt from their fields. Teams are being formed to restore soil health and reduce long-term damage to agriculture. Warring said the Congress would stand firmly with the affected families until normal life is restored.

The post Warring Blames AAP for Ranjit Sagar Dam Floods appeared first on India Podcast.

He stated that Punjab’s rivers, once a blessing, had now become a curse because of poor planning and mismanagement. “This is not destiny, it is a man-made disaster and a government failure,” Sidhu said. He added that while politicians fed their greed, Punjab continued to face the brunt of floods.

According to Sidhu, the crisis has deep roots in chronic mismanagement of river systems and weak governance. He pointed to illegal mining and unchecked siltation as the main reasons behind the rising water levels. Sidhu urged that Punjab needed urgent corrective measures before the situation worsened further.

The Congress leader’s statement has added fuel to the political debate, with questions now being raised about accountability and long-term planning to prevent such disasters in the future.

The post Punjab Floods a Man-Made Disaster: Navjot Singh Sidhu appeared first on India Podcast.

As the rain activity has decreased, the average inflow into the dam is now about 70,000 cusecs. Experts predict that the weather will remain relatively dry in the coming days. Consequently, BBMB officials plan to maintain the current outflow level of 70,000 cusecs for the next few days.

As of 6 am on Friday, the water level in Bhakra Dam stood at 1,678.74 feet. In Pong Dam, the level remained high at 1,394.71 feet, with an inflow of 105,950 cusecs and an outflow of 99,763 cusecs.

The reduced outflow has eased the pressure on communities along the Sutlej River, including Ropar, though authorities continue to urge vigilance.

The post BBMB Reduces Outflow from Bhakra Dam by 15,000 Cusecs appeared first on India Podcast.

He then reached the Government High School in Miyani, which is now a relief camp, and spoke with victims and NGOs providing support. Deputy Commissioner Ashika Jain gave him a presentation on the extent of the damage and ongoing measures.

Kataria assured citizens that both the Centre and state governments stand firmly with them. He said rescue and relief operations are continuing with full support from the Union Agriculture Minister and a Central team visiting the worst-hit areas.

The Governor stressed that drainage systems in flood-prone regions will be strengthened and that compensation proposals will receive timely approval.

The current floods, triggered by water released from the Pong Dam, have badly affected Hoshiarpur. Around 1,000 people are staying in five relief camps set up by the district administration. Kataria also promised to upgrade the dhussi bundh’s safety and support families who lost homes under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana.

The post Governor Gulab Chand Kataria Visits Flood-Hit Tanda appeared first on India Podcast.