Ferozepur: As floods continue to devastate Punjab, relief efforts have poured in from ordinary citizens, volunteers, and community groups, while the Centre has yet to announce major assistance. Trucks loaded with food, medicines, and supplies are arriving from across states, highlighting grassroots solidarity.
One such convoy came from Haryana’s Mewat, led by farmer Umar Mohammad Padla. He said his group acted after learning of the crisis through social media. “When we see somebody in distress, the human inside us feels compelled to help. Religion stops mattering. We arranged supplies within hours and left for Punjab,” he explained. He recalled how Punjabis had stood with Muslims during protests against the National Register of Citizens and the farmers’ agitation. “This was our way of repaying an old debt,” he added.
Ferozepur alone has seen 42,000 acres of crops destroyed by the overflowing Sutlej. Volunteers have been building makeshift check dams to contain the damage. Muslim organisations and madrasas from Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and Rajasthan have delivered ration, while local residents have distributed medicines, fodder, and machinery.
Punjabi singer Mankirt Aulakh pledged 100 tractors for affected villages, with 10 already sent. Actor Sonu Sood announced his foundation will rebuild damaged homes in Sultanpur Lodhi and has distributed relief kits in several villages. Actor Binnu Dhillon has been providing door-to-door aid in Gurdaspur, where over 99,000 acres of land are reported to be submerged.
Padla has returned to Mewat to collect medicines for another relief trip. “Punjab helped us before. Now it is our duty to stand with Punjab,” he said.
Report by Telegraph India
