The Punjab Chief Minister launched Mission Chardi Kala for flood relief efforts
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has launched "Mission Chardi Kala," a global fundraising campaign aimed at supporting flood relief and rehabilitation efforts following the devastating floods that impacted over 20 lakh people in the state. The severe flooding submerged 2,300 villages, destroyed 5 lakh acres of crops, and damaged critical infrastructure including schools, hospitals, roads, and bridges. With an estimated loss of around ₹13,800 crore, the floods left millions homeless and in urgent need of assistance. Mann appealed to Punjabis worldwide, as well as industrialists, artists, and charitable organizations, to contribute generously, assuring full transparency and accountability in the use of funds.
Punjab faced one of its worst flood disasters in nearly four decades during the monsoon season of 2025, triggered by heavy rainfall in upstream areas of Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir, along with local intense monsoon showers. Over 20 lakh people were affected as flooding submerged more than 1,400 villages across all 23 districts of the state. The floods destroyed around 5 lakh acres of crops and caused extensive damage to infrastructure, including roads, bridges, schools, and hospitals. Authorities reported at least 65 fatalities and displaced thousands who were relocated to relief camps. The flooding was worsened by the release of excess water from major reservoirs such as the Pong and Bhakra dams, coupled with human encroachment on riverbanks and inadequate disaster preparedness.
The state government estimated a loss of approximately ₹13,800 crore and launched "Mission Chardi Kala," a comprehensive flood relief and rehabilitation
initiative spearheaded by Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. The mission aims to raise funds globally, appealing to Punjabis worldwide, businesses, artists,
and goodwill organizations to support rebuilding homes, restoring livelihoods, and rebuilding critical public services. The efforts are focused not only on immediate
relief but also on long-term recovery to ensure sustainable and resilient development for Punjab’s future.
Heavy monsoon rains caused rivers like the Sutlej, Beas, and Ravi to swell beyond safe limits, inundating vast stretches of agricultural land and urban areas,
including cities like Ludhiana, which suffered from overflowing sewage and industrial waste. The disaster highlighted gaps in water resource management and the
need for improved infrastructural resilience to mitigate future climate-induced catastrophes. The government's response includes compensation packages for affected
farmers, efforts to enhance flood forecasting, and plans to strengthen embankments to prevent further disasters.
Overall, the 2025 Punjab floods have brought acute socioeconomic challenges but also galvanized concerted governmental and community action under Mission Chardi Kala
to restore normalcy and build back better.
Punjab faced one of its worst flood disasters in nearly four decades during the monsoon season of 2025, triggered by heavy rainfall in upstream areas of Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir, along with local intense monsoon showers. Over 20 lakh people were affected as flooding submerged more than 1,400 villages across all 23 districts of the state. The floods destroyed around 5 lakh acres of crops and caused extensive damage to infrastructure, including roads, bridges, schools, and hospitals. Authorities reported at least 65 fatalities and displaced thousands who were relocated to relief camps. The flooding was worsened by the release of excess water from major reservoirs such as the Pong and Bhakra dams, coupled with human encroachment on riverbanks and inadequate disaster preparedness.
The state government estimated a loss of approximately ₹13,800 crore and launched "Mission Chardi Kala," a comprehensive flood relief and rehabilitation
initiative spearheaded by Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. The mission aims to raise funds globally, appealing to Punjabis worldwide, businesses, artists,
and goodwill organizations to support rebuilding homes, restoring livelihoods, and rebuilding critical public services. The efforts are focused not only on immediate
relief but also on long-term recovery to ensure sustainable and resilient development for Punjab’s future.
Heavy monsoon rains caused rivers like the Sutlej, Beas, and Ravi to swell beyond safe limits, inundating vast stretches of agricultural land and urban areas,
including cities like Ludhiana, which suffered from overflowing sewage and industrial waste. The disaster highlighted gaps in water resource management and the
need for improved infrastructural resilience to mitigate future climate-induced catastrophes. The government's response includes compensation packages for affected
farmers, efforts to enhance flood forecasting, and plans to strengthen embankments to prevent further disasters.
Overall, the 2025 Punjab floods have brought acute socioeconomic challenges but also galvanized concerted governmental and community action under Mission Chardi Kala
to restore normalcy and build back better.