Let’s break down what’s happening with the floods in Punjab—both Pakistan and India—and what NGOs and local groups are doing to help.
What’s Going On in Punjab
Pakistan’s Punjab
- This flood has been declared the worst in eastern Punjab’s history. Three major rivers—Sutlej, Chenab, and Ravi—have surged to record heights, impacting roughly two million people.(The Guardian)
- Over 800 casualties nationwide, with a significant proportion being children.(Save the Children UK, The Guardian)
- The flooding has submerged thousands of villages, triggered disease outbreaks, and left families without electricity, clean water, or food.(The Guardian)
India’s Punjab
- Parts of northern India, especially Punjab, are facing floods—not quite as catastrophic but still serious. As of now:
- Around 1,000 villages affected, with 1.46 million residents displaced and 61,000+ hectares of farmland submerged.(Wikipedia)
- At least 36 fatalities reported.(Wikipedia)
- Damage is concentrated in districts like Gurdaspur, Kapurthala, Amritsar, Ferozepur, Pathankot, Fazilka, and Barnala.(Wikipedia)
- Rescue operations are ongoing. Agencies like the NDRF, SDRF, army, and BSF are evacuating thousands, using boats, drones, and airlifts.(Wikipedia)
What NGOs and Other Groups Are Doing
In Pakistan
- Save the Children: Nearly 1 million people evacuated, and most school-aged kids in Punjab are missing school.(Save the Children UK)
- Sherzan (Community Charities): Mobilizing food and relief deliveries amid slow government response.(The Guardian)
In Indian Punjab
- Sikh and NGO groups (leaked through media)
- Providing rations, fodder, and evacuation support with boats.(The Tribune)
- SDBCT (Sarbat Da Bhala Charitable Trust) distributed 1,200 tonnes of fodder across 8–9 districts.(The Times of India)
- The Kalgidhar Trust (Baru Sahib):
- Operating in Majha and Doaba regions (e.g. Gurdaspur, Pathankot).
- Rescued over 5,000 people from 125 villages.
- Provided langar (cooked meals), milk, drinking water, relief kits, and fodder.(Kalgidhar Society – Baru Sahib)
- Khalsa Aid:
- Active since mid-August in districts like Gurdaspur, Kapurthala, Ferozepur, and Abohar.
- Distributed clean drinking water, ration bags, medical aid, fodder, and carried out rescue operations—even drying 1,000+ acres with dewatering systems.(Khalsa Aid, DV Network)
- Celebrities & Their Foundations:
- Diljit Dosanjh (via Saanjh Foundation) adopted 10 villages, providing essentials like food, water, medical supplies, solar lights, and planning long-term rebuilding.(The Logical Indian, India Today)
- Ammy Virk pledged to adopt 200 houses, focusing on emotional recovery and shelter.(India Today)
- Sonam Bajwa donated to frontline rescue organizations and urged fans to contribute.(India Today)
Government & Local Efforts
- India: Agencies like NDRF, SDRF, army, and BSF are conducting evacuations and distributing aid.(Wikipedia)
- State Governments:
- Leaders are calling for expedited central relief funds.(The Economic Times)
- Haryana CM allocated ₹5 crore each to Punjab and J&K, although some criticized local priorities.(Indiatimes)
- Health Departments deployed over 800 medical teams, including 138 newly recruited medical officers to impacted zones.(The Times of India)
- In Amritsar/Ajnala, as floodwaters recede, structural assessments are underway and compensation pledged for crop losses. NGOs are helping reinforce embankments.(The Times of India)
Quick Comparison
| Region | Key Impacts | NGO/Government Response |
|---|---|---|
| Pakistan Punjab | Worst floods ever; wide displacement; health risks | Save the Children, local charities, slower official response |
| India Punjab | Significant flooding and displacement | Sikh NGOs (Khalsa Aid, Kalgidhar Trust), celebrity-led aid, major rescue deployments by agencies, state medical deployments |
People aren’t waiting for help—they’ve stepped up in every possible way, from ground rescue to long-term support.