Community-Led Efforts Drive Flood Rehabilitation in Kapurthala
Kapurthala, October 3 – Recent floods in Kapurthala district have wreaked havoc across 123 villages, damaging 36,000 acres of farmland, as well as homes, livestock, and infrastructure.
The first breach, half a kilometre wide, occurred at Bhani Kadar Baksh on the Beas River. Villages, including Bhani Bhadhur, Muhammadabad, Baupur, Mubarkpur, and Sangra, went underwater. Nearly 160 acres were submerged, leaving behind 2–5 feet of sand. A second wave hit harder, diverting the river towards Rampur Gora. The breach widened to one kilometre, and the river swelled by 2.5 km, gouging deep pits in farms and houses.
Normally, it takes six months or more to restore such land. But in Kapurthala, communities are driving recovery. Farmers, NGOs, and local groups are working shoulder to shoulder with government support.
MLA Rana Inder Partap provided machinery and diesel for plugging breaches. Baba Sukha Singh and Kar Sewa Sahrali Sahib deployed excavators and over 100 Kar Sewaks. Rajya Sabha MP Baba Balbir Singh Seechewal sent a motorboat to Sangra for food and fodder supplies. NGOs from several states rushed aid.
While the breach at Bhani Kadar Baksh has been plugged, youth groups from Malwa continue round-the-clock efforts at Rampur Gora with 35–40 tractors on rotation. Khalsa Aid, gurdwaras, and community groups set up langars, serving hot meals, water, and dry rations daily. NRIs from the USA and Canada pitched in with diesel to fuel relief work.
Amid destruction, the spirit of unity has shone bright. Collective action is speeding up recovery, offering hope that Kapurthala’s fields will soon return to life.
