Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday called Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann to discuss the worsening flood situation in the state and assured him of full support, government sources said. The call came shortly after the Prime Minister’s return from his China visit.

Punjab has been reeling under heavy floods, with over 1,000 villages across 10 districts submerged and at least 29 deaths reported so far. Gurdaspur district has been among the worst hit, while more than 2.5 lakh people have been affected overall.

Mann’s demand for pending funds

During his visit to flood-hit areas of Hoshiarpur, CM Mann said he had already written to the Prime Minister seeking the release of ₹60,000 crore that he claimed was “state funds stuck with the government of India.” He also promised compensation for people’s losses, saying his government would ensure relief for “every single penny” lost.

Finance minister Harpal Singh Cheema, however, accused the Centre of “ignoring” Punjab’s crisis and said the Prime Minister had not spoken on the disaster until now.

Centre and Opposition response

Union agriculture minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan is expected to visit Punjab soon to assess the crop damage. His office said he has already reviewed the rainfall and flood situation with officials.

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra urged both the Centre and the state government to provide swift relief and compensation. She also asked Congress workers to assist people in flood-affected areas.

Worst rains in 25 years

Punjab received 253.7 mm of rain in August—74% above normal and the highest in 25 years. The deluge has revived fears of a repeat of the 1988 floods, which killed more than 600 people in the state. Schools across Punjab have been ordered shut until September 3 as relief and rescue operations continue.

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