Raksha Khadse, Preneet Kaur Review Flood-Hit Villages in Punjab’s Patiala

Union Minister of State for Youth Affairs & Sports, Smt. Raksha Nikhil Khadse, along with former Union Minister Smt. Preneet Kaur, conducted a field visit to the flood-affected constituencies of Samana and Sanaur in Patiala district on September 16, 2025. The leaders met with displaced families, farmers, and local officials to assess the extent of damage and explore immediate as well as long-term relief measures.

Ground Assessment in Flood-Devastated Villages

The visit covered some of the worst-hit villages, including Dudhan Gujran, Budhmor, Mehmoodpur, Jalan Kheri, Sassi Gujran, and Dharamheri, which have been inundated by the overflowing Tangri, Markanda, and Ghaggar rivers. These floods have caused extensive damage to standing crops, homes, and key road infrastructure.

During the review, Smt. Khadse instructed the district administration to prepare a comprehensive damage report, ensuring that affected families and farmers can receive timely compensation.

Farmers who interacted with the delegation demanded:

• Desilting of rivers to prevent recurring floods.

• Construction of permanent embankments for long-term flood protection.

• Urgent repair of the Patiala–Pehowa road, a critical transport link to Kurukshetra that has been severely damaged.

Central Support and Assurances

Responding to these appeals, Smt. Khadse assured that the matters would be raised with the Prime Minister’s Office, the Central Water Commission, and the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. She reiterated the Centre’s commitment to providing both immediate relief and sustainable flood-prevention measures.

Former Union Minister Smt. Preneet Kaur reminded the gathering that Patiala had faced similar devastation during the 2023 floods, stressing the urgency of coordinated inter-state solutions involving Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan, since rivers flowing across state boundaries often compound flooding. She noted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had directed all Union Ministers of State to conduct on-ground assessments across Punjab, reflecting the Centre’s seriousness in tackling the crisis.

Protest at Dharamheri Village Resolved

The visit concluded at Dharamheri village, where farmers had been staging a protest over the Hansi–Butana canal issue, which they argue has worsened flooding patterns. Following direct assurances from Smt. Khadse and Smt. Preneet Kaur, the farmers called off their protest, acknowledging the Centre’s willingness to address their grievances.

Gratitude to Prime Minister and Next Steps

Both leaders expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Modi for his continuous guidance and support, which has ensured timely relief delivery and long-term planning for flood resilience.

Local political leaders and community representatives — including District President Jaspal Singh Gagroli, Harmesh Goyal, Sanaur Incharge Vikram Inderjit Singh Chahal, and Samana Incharge Surinder Singh Kherki — accompanied the delegation and pledged their cooperation in implementing relief and rehabilitation work.

Looking Ahead

The visit highlighted the need for holistic flood management strategies, including:

• River desilting and embankment construction.

• Road and transport infrastructure repair.

• Enhanced inter-state coordination on water management.

• Stronger disaster preparedness and early warning systems.

The Patiala floods have once again underlined the vulnerability of agrarian communities to recurring natural disasters. With combined efforts from the Centre, state governments, and local bodies, the aim is to ensure that relief is timely, grievances are addressed, and preventive measures are institutionalised to build long-term resilience.