Chandigarh, Sept. 6 -- Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema today described the state's ongoing flood crisis as the worst in 50 years, with nearly 2,000 villages and over 4 lakh citizens impacted across all districts. The disaster, triggered by relentless rainfall in Punjab and neighboring hill states, has claimed 43 lives in 14 districts and damaged 1.72 lakh hectares of farmland in 18 districts. Significant losses to homes, livestock, and public infrastructure have been reported, with the Ghaggar river breaching its 750-foot danger mark.
Speaking at a press conference in Punjab Bhawan, Cheema outlined the state's swift response, including the evacuation of over 22,000 people and the establishment of 200 relief camps sheltering mor...