Rahul Gandhi landed in Amritsar today to witness first-hand the devastation wrought by floods in Punjab’s border districts, sitting among displaced families, talking to farmers, and walking through submerged villages. According to The Hindu, Accompanied by key Congress leaders -including Punjab Congress chief Amrinder Singh Raja Warring, leader of the opposition in the state assembly Partap Singh Bajwa, and Amritsar MP Gurjeet Singh Aujla, Gandhi’s visit is aimed at assessing damage, amplifying suffering, and pushing for accelerated relief.
After arriving in Amritsar in the morning, Gandhi made his way to Ghonewal village in Ajnala. Ghonewal is one of several villages severely affected by flooding. He spent time with residents there, acknowledging their losses, hearing their stories, and sharing their anxiety about crops ruined, homes damaged, and fields submerged. The visit to Ghonewal was emotional, with Gandhi sitting on mud steps among flood-affected people, listening intently to their needs.
He is also scheduled to pay his respects at the historic Gurdwara Baba Budha Sahib in the Ramdas area of Amritsar, before heading off to visit further flood-ravaged zones in Gurdaspur district. The visit comes amid one of the worst flood crises Punjab has seen in decades, triggered by swollen rivers—such as the Sutlej, Beas, and Ravi—and heavy seasonal rainfall in their catchment areas plus upstream states.
Official reports state that nearly 1.98 lakh hectares of agricultural land have been damaged across the state, with a death toll of 56 so far. Districts such as Gurdaspur, Patiala, Tarn Taran, Fazilka, Ferozepur, and Kapurthala are among the hardest hit. The scale of destruction has drawn criticism from local Congress leaders, who have alleged negligence and poor preparedness on the part of both state and central authorities.
The presence of Rahul Gandhi in the flood-affected zones carries a political undercurrent. His walk through submerged fields and interaction with affected families is being viewed not just as humanitarian outreach but also as a message — that the opposition is positioning itself as attentive and accountable during crises. His visit follows recent announcements of financial aid by the central government (~₹1,600 crore) and state disaster funds, but many locals say relief has been slow to arrive and compensation uncertain.
Aid and relief work are underway, but the need is immense. People in villages like Ghonewal speak of lost livelihoods — farmlands soaked, homes damaged, livestock lost — and of an urgent need for clean water, shelter, medical supplies, and compensation. Many express frustration that warnings were inadequate, flood control infrastructure weak, and coordination lacking.
As Rahul Gandhi continues his tour, expectations are high that the visit will pressure authorities to move faster — not just in delivering relief, but in long-term planning for flood resilience, infrastructure strengthening, and compensation policies that reach actual users. The crises in Amritsar and Gurdaspur are seen by many as a test of governance. Will promises translate into on-ground help?
Photo Source: The Hindu
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