Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, held a press conference for the second consecutive day today after being discharged from hospital, announced a comprehensive post-flood action plan, assuring people that the government is fully committed to restoring normalcy across affected regions.
Mann said the floods, which inundated vast stretches of Punjab, have now begun to recede in several villages, but the challenge ahead is equally daunting. “The water is going down, but what remains is silt, damage to homes, schools, crops and the threat of disease outbreaks. Around 2,300 villages and wards have been impacted, and we have no time to lose,” he said.
The CM revealed that a massive cleanliness drive would begin immediately, supported by the deployment of JCBs, tractor-trolleys and government-provided labour. Carcasses of animals will be disposed of on priority, and fogging operations will follow in every village to prevent the spread of diseases. For this effort, the state has earmarked Rs 100 crore. Each village will receive an initial token amount of Rs 1 lakh, with further funds released according to need. “Our target is to ensure every village is sanitized and ready before the sowing of the next crop,” Mann said.
Highlighting the urgency of agricultural recovery, he announced that desilting would be completed by September 25, enabling farmers to cultivate their fields without delay. Government procurement of paddy will begin as scheduled on September 16, while mandis damaged by the floods will be repaired by September 19. “The standing paddy crop is ready for harvest, and we cannot let farmers suffer further. Procurement will not be delayed,” he assured.
On the social infrastructure front, the CM said damaged schools and panchayat ghars would be repaired by October 15. Relief camps are being set up where required, and 550 ambulances are being prepared for emergency medical services. The government has also roped in doctors from premier private and government hospitals, including Fortis, Max, PGI, DMC, and Jalandhar hospitals, to run health camps in flood-hit areas.
Livestock, which has been badly affected in 713 villages, is another major concern. Veterinary doctors have been deployed to disinfect animal fodder using potassium permanganate, while assistance for loss of livestock will be released by September 30. “We will not let our farmers and their animals suffer without support,” Mann emphasized.
The CM also informed that electricity infrastructure, damaged during the floods, is being rapidly repaired to restore uninterrupted supply to villages. He appealed to NGOs, youth clubs, and volunteers to actively participate in the rebuilding process. “This is not just the job of the government. Rebuilding Punjab is a collective responsibility. We invite all organisations and citizens to join us in this mission,” he said.
Promising that Punjab would soon overcome the devastation, Mann struck a note of optimism. “We will come out of these floods very soon, and life will be back on track. With the combined strength of our people and government, Punjab will rise again,” he declared.