Amritsar: Amritsar Deputy Commissioner Sakshi Sahni has announced that specialized technical teams from the Public Works Department (PWD) will be deployed in flood-hit villages of Punjab to ensure the safety of residents returning to their homes. The decision comes after heavy rainfall and subsequent floods wreaked havoc across several districts, leaving behind widespread damage to infrastructure, agriculture, and housing.
ਹੜ੍ਹ ਪ੍ਰਭਾਵਿਤ ਪਿੰਡਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਪਾਣੀ ਘਟਣ ਤੋਂ ਬਾਅਦ ਘਰਾਂ ਦੀ ਮਜ਼ਬੂਤੀ ਜਾਂਚਣ ਲਈ ਲੋਕ ਨਿਰਮਾਣ ਵਿਭਾਗ ਦੀਆਂ ਟੈਕਨੀਕਲ ਟੀਮਾਂ ਤੈਨਾਤ ਕੀਤੀਆਂ ਜਾਣਗੀਆਂ, ਤਾਂ ਜੋ ਕਿਸੇ ਵੀ ਜਾਨੀ ਨੁਕਸਾਨ ਤੋਂ ਬਚਿਆ ਜਾ ਸਕੇ।#FloodRelief #PunjabFloods
— Deputy Commissioner Amritsar (@dc_amritsar) September 2, 2025
Sahni stated that once floodwaters recede, PWD engineers will carry out structural safety checks on residential buildings. “Our priority is to prevent any further loss of life. Many homes have suffered significant damage due to prolonged waterlogging, and weakened structures pose a serious risk. The technical teams will inspect each house to determine whether it is safe for habitation,” she said.
The Deputy Commissioner urged villagers not to re-enter damaged houses without clearance from the inspection teams. According to officials, the teams will assess foundations, walls, and rooftops, which may have been weakened by continuous exposure to floodwater. Cracks, loosened structures, and soil erosion around the base of houses are expected to be key focus areas during the inspections.
The Punjab government has also directed district administrations to maintain strict vigilance in vulnerable areas. Alongside inspections, relief and rehabilitation work continues in full swing. Medical camps have been set up in affected villages to prevent the outbreak of waterborne diseases, while clean drinking water and food supplies are being provided to displaced families.
The floods, which followed weeks of heavy monsoon rains, left many parts of Punjab inundated. Villages in districts such as Amritsar, Tarn Taran, and Ferozepur reported severe waterlogging, forcing hundreds of families to evacuate. Crops across thousands of acres have also been damaged, adding to the economic burden on farmers already facing distress.
Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann earlier assured that the state government is committed to providing all possible support to flood victims. Several leaders and public representatives have stepped forward with contributions for relief efforts. Rajya Sabha MP Sandeep Pathak donated ₹5 crore to Ferozepur for flood relief, while fellow MP Ashok Mittal contributed ₹20 lakh. Cabinet minister Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer also pledged ₹25 lakh to Ajnala. Minister Ravjot Singh promised to donate his entire year’s salary for relief operations.
Experts believe that the deployment of PWD teams marks an important step in ensuring post-flood recovery. Structural damage to houses often goes unnoticed in the immediate aftermath of floods, but it can lead to sudden collapses days or weeks later. By carrying out early inspections, authorities hope to prevent avoidable tragedies and rebuild public confidence.
Local residents welcomed the announcement, though many expressed concerns over the time it might take for inspections to cover all affected villages. Authorities have assured that multiple teams will be deployed simultaneously to complete the process as quickly as possible.
With the flood situation gradually improving, the focus is now shifting from emergency relief to long-term rehabilitation and reconstruction. The state government has appealed to citizens, NGOs, and corporate groups to extend their support to ensure timely recovery.
As Punjab begins the challenging journey of rebuilding, the coordinated efforts of government agencies, community organizations, and local residents are expected to play a crucial role in restoring normalcy to the worst-hit villages.
