Punjab News: After widespread flooding in Punjab, the Bhagwant Mann-led government has launched an extensive, ground-level operation to provide relief, restore civil society, and safeguard public health. Across almost 2,300 villages and wards affected by flood, youth groups, AAP workers, officials, and community organizations are joining together to spearhead a multi-pronged cleanliness and sanitisation campaign.
Actions Taken
In the aftermath of flooding, many areas were affected by large deposits of silt, mud, uprooted trees, spoiled fodder, and damaged infrastructure. Recognising that, left unattended, they could result in a health emergency, particularly with waterborne and vector-borne diseases, the government took action. Current actions include:
- Local crews – silt, debris, and dead animals have been removed from homes, roadways, and public spaces.
- Mobilisation of JCB machines, tractor-trolleys, men and women labourers, with funding being provided per village from the Government.
- Government schools cleaned and sanitised, ready for students to return to school.
- Fogging (spraying disinfectants/insecticides) villages to decrease the risk of disease.
Budget, deadlines, participation
The state government has allocated ₹100 crore for this “mega” cleanliness campaign. Each user affected by flooding receives ₹1 lakh initially (with more coming based on need).
The following significant deadlines have been outlined:
- All villages must be cleared of silt and garbage by September 25.
- Repairs on public facilities must be completed by October 15.
- Cleaning of ponds must be complete by October 22.
Why this matters
Floods leave more than visibly damaged infrastructure: stagnant water fosters mosquitoes and other vectors; spoiled feed and dead livestock are risky; closed schools mean children miss several days of education. After a flood, hygiene and preventative medicine become very important.
Setting a New Standard in Crisis Response
Punjab’s response under Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann is a potential model in proactive disaster management: mobilising resources swiftly, using multilayered interventions (clean-up, school-sanitisation, fogging, health camps), establishing deadlines, and engaging the community. The main measure of success will not only be how quickly villages are cleared, but also how resilient communities become to disease and future disasters. If executed, it could mark a significant shift in how states respond to humanitarian emergencies locally.
