Nangal – Punjab Cabinet Minister Harjot Singh Bains on Monday launched Operation Rahat from 2 RVR in Nangal to ensure swift rehabilitation of flood victims in the Sri Anandpur Sahib constituency. On the occasion, Bains announced a personal contribution of ₹5 lakh from his family and pledged to cover the repair expenses of 50 damaged households.
Calling it both a “moral and official duty” to safeguard lives, Bains highlighted that heavy rainfall in Himachal Pradesh and Punjab, coupled with excess water release from the Bhakra Dam, had wreaked havoc in several villages of Sri Anandpur Sahib, Nangal, and Kiratpur Sahib. Farmers lost their paddy and maize crops, houses were damaged, and widespread waterlogging created a humanitarian crisis.
With rainfall subsiding and water levels receding, Bains said conditions were stabilizing but the destruction on the ground remained evident. He praised the collective efforts of local youth, AAP volunteers, panchayats, and sarpanches, who helped prevent further breaches in rivers and canals during the floods.
The minister announced that government schools were being cleaned, with regular classes resuming from tomorrow. He assured residents that the Punjab government would provide full compensation for losses and that administrative teams—including SDMs, tehsildars, patwaris, and BDPOs—would conduct village-level surveys in coordination with local representatives.
To prevent health risks, Bains said waterlogging would be drained, clean drinking water supplied, and fogging carried out in villages and towns. Medical teams will provide treatment to residents, while veterinary doctors will ensure livestock safety with free medicines. Road repair and power restoration works are also being prioritized.
Bains concluded that Operation Rahat would run intensively for the next 10 days, with a focus on delivering all relief measures to affected families without delay.
