Punjab flood: Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke on the phone to Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on the phone as soon as he returned to Delhi after attending the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit held in Tianjin, China on Monday. During this time, he discussed the situation arising out of heavy rains and floods in the state and assured the Punjab government of all possible help and support.

Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann wrote a letter to the Prime Minister on Sunday, in which he demanded immediate release of pending funds of Rs 60,000 crore from the Center in view of the floods in the state. He also appealed to amend the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF), so that the affected farmers could be given compensation of at least Rs 50,000 per acre.

Concern also expressed on Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana
In the letter, the Chief Minister also informed that the Central Government has recently canceled the projects worth Rs 828 crore of Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana in Punjab, which can affect the state’s rural connectivity. The Chief Minister attracted central attention on this subject and demanded to revive the affected projects.

Warning of district and administration affected by heavy rains
Due to heavy rains, flood water entered many villages of Hoshiarpur district. At the same time, the Kapurthala district administration has appealed to the people of Sultanpur Lodhi region to visit safe places in view of the continuous rains and rising Beas river water level in the upper mountainous areas.

Vacation in schools and warnings for people
The state government has extended the period of closing all schools till September 3. Earlier these holidays were from 27 to 30 August. The Patiala district administration has advised the people not to go to the sides of Ghaggar and Tangri rivers and stay in safe places.