Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has called upon Union Home Minister Amit Shah to provide a special relief package for the state after extensive damage from this year’s monsoon floods. Mann emphasized the urgent need for additional assistance, noting that the current aid fell short given the widespread devastation impacting millions of people.
During his meeting with Amit Shah in Delhi, Bhagwant Mann briefed him on the flood’s impact and requested additional funding for disaster relief efforts. The Union Home Ministry released a statement affirming the government’s commitment to supporting Punjab in this crisis and ensuring necessary aid reaches those affected.
The ministry highlighted that Punjab has access to Rs 12,589.59 crore under the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) for immediate relief and restoration efforts as per government guidelines. Additionally, the central government has already provided support through various agencies for search, rescue, and initial recovery operations during the flood emergency.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Punjab on September 9, 2025, to assess the situation firsthand and announced Rs 1,600 crore for flood relief. Of this amount, Rs 805 crore has already been disbursed, including Rs 170 crore sanctioned by the National Highways Authority of India, with the remainder to be released upon submission of necessary information by the state.
An Inter-Ministerial Central Team (IMCT) conducted on-site evaluations from September 4 to 6, following its formation on September 1, 2025. However, the state government is yet to provide a detailed memorandum for the Centre’s review in accordance with established procedures.
Punjab is encouraged to develop a comprehensive recovery and reconstruction plan to restore livelihoods and infrastructure. The Home Ministry issued guidelines for Recovery and Reconstruction (R&R) funding under the SDRF and NDRF since August 14, 2024, emphasizing the importance of Post Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA) in consultation with the relevant disaster management authorities.
Mann reiterated that the current Rs 1,600 crore relief package from the Centre is inadequate given the extensive losses incurred. The Punjab government reported over 20 lakh individuals affected across 2,614 villages, with 6.87 lakh people displaced.
The floods resulted in the destruction of more than 4.8 lakh acres of crops, damage to over 17,000 houses, and affected 2.5 lakh livestock. Additionally, rural roads covering 4,657 km, 485 bridges, 1,417 culverts, and 190 mandis suffered damage. Preliminary estimates peg the total losses in agriculture, infrastructure, health, education, and livelihoods at Rs 13,832 crore.