PUNJAB GOVERNMENT DISTRIBUTES 22K WATER BOTTLES, 20K FOOD AND 8K DRY RATION PACKETS AMONG FLOOD AFFECTED PEOPLE- BALKAR SINGH

MEMBER PARLIAMENTS, CABINET MINISTER TAKES STOCK OF SITUATION AROUND RIVER SATLUJ

Jalandhar : Rajyasabha Member Sant Balbir Singh Seechewal, Lok Sabha Member Sushil Kumar Rinku, and Punjab Local Bodies Minister Balkar Singh today took stock of the latest situation around river Satluj and interacted with the people stranded in the flood-like situation.

Giving more information, they said that on the directives of Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann the concerned departments have been carrying out rescue and relief works in a smooth and coordinated manner in flood-affected villages in Phillaur, Nakodar, and Shahkot blocks. They said that maximum relief was being extended to affected families and both rescue and relief teams working round the clock to serve people in this hour of crisis.

14 BOATS FERRYING STRANDED PEOPLE ROUND THE CLOCK, OVER 60,000 SAND BANGS UTILIZED TO PLUG BREACHES

Giving more details, the minister and the MPs said that so far as many as 22,000 water bottles have been distributed among flood-affected people in the affected-localities while over 20,000 food packets and over 8,000 dry ration packets have been given to people stuck in their homes. Likewise, 14 motor boats have also been deployed in the district which was being used to rescue people, they said adding that as all these boats were doing nearly 150 rounds daily to ferry people to relief camps.

The minister and the MPs further mentioned that nearly 60,000 gunny bags filled with sand have been used to plug breaches at various locations and over 600 laborers/volunteers have worked for 20,000 man-hours to plug these breaches. They also stated that around 20 water tanks were stationed at affected villages to provide clean water to people stuck in floods adding nearly 500 employees from civil administration have also put on flood-relief duty.

Speaking about healthcare services in these areas, the Minister said that 24 medical teams along with eight ambulances have been stationed at affected villages. He said that these medical teams have screened hundreds of people and fogging was also started to prevent waterborne diseases. Likewise, teams of animal husbandry departments ensured medical examinations and ensured vaccination of over a thousand animals.

They said that the district administration was committed to facilitating flood-hit people in this hour of crisis and no stone would be left unturned in this task. He also said that the entire administration was camping in affected villages and keeping a close tab on the entire relief and rescue work so that no one is left without government assistance. They thanked the NGOs and industrial organizations for their support and cooperation with the Jalandhar Administration in relief and rescue operations. They further said that it was our collective responsibility to fight this situation so that we can win over this crisis.