CHANDIGARH: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann announced the initiation of ‘Mission Chardi Kala’ on Wednesday, urging citizens across India to assist in the restoration efforts for Punjab, which has experienced severe destruction due to recent flooding.
In a video message, Mann underscored the extensive damage caused by the floods, which he described as the worst since 1988. He reported that approximately 2,300 villages were flooded, displacing around 700,000 individuals and affecting 2 million more.
The flood disaster resulted in the destruction of 3,200 schools, the loss of 56 lives, and significant damage to about 8,500 kilometers of roads and 2,500 bridges. Additionally, 1,400 clinics, various government buildings, and 19 colleges suffered extensive damage. Initial damage assessments estimate the financial cost at ₹13,800 crore; however, Mann cautioned that this figure could rise following a comprehensive survey post-receding waters.
Mann affirmed Punjab’s resilience amid crises, stating, “Punjab stands firm against challenges, fights back, and emerges stronger.” He commended the courage of local youths who risked their lives to save others during the floods, as well as the efforts of religious institutions, which provided shelter to affected individuals.
“The time has come to move beyond initial relief efforts,” Mann declared, introducing ‘Mission Chardi Kala,’ which symbolizes resilience in the face of adversity. He called upon the people of Punjab, as well as industrialists, charitable organizations, and artists nationwide, to contribute towards the rehabilitation initiatives, assuring that all donations would be managed with full transparency.
Details of the mission can be found on the portal Rangla.Punjab.gov.in. Mann encouraged contributions to ‘Mission Chardi Kala’ with genuine intent.
Punjab faced one of its most significant flood disasters in decades, primarily due to swollen rivers—the Sutlej, Beas, and Ravi—coupled with heavy rainfall from their catchment areas in Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir. Localized heavy rains further aggravated the flooding situation, particularly impacting the districts of Gurdaspur, Amritsar, Kapurthala, Pathankot, Hoshiarpur, Ferozepur, Fazilka, and Tarn Taran.
