Date: September 6, 2025

Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi,

Punjab, the food basket of India, is facing a catastrophic flood crisis. Over 1,900 villages have been affected, 43 lives have been lost, and standing crops across more than 4 lakh acres of farmland have been inundated. The scale of this disaster threatens not only the people of Punjab but also the nation’s food security.

Punjab, though a small state geographically, is the lifeblood of India’s food security and a pillar of its economy. Known as “India’s Granary,” it produces a significant share of the nation’s wheat, rice, and dairy, feeding millions across the country. Punjab’s sons and daughters have long safeguarded India’s borders, contributing valiantly to the armed forces, while its culture, music, and traditions enrich the nation’s identity worldwide. The state’s unparalleled contribution in agriculture, defense, industry, and culture makes it unacceptable that Punjab is treated as a step-child in times of crisis.

It is deeply painful for every Punjabi, in India and abroad, to witness the suffering of our beloved state. Until now, it has been only local communities, with overwhelming support from NGOs, managing rescue and relief operations. It is shameful that it was not until yesterday that a Central Minister of Agriculture visited the state to assess the damage. While the people elected the current government with a thumping majority, it is heartbreaking that there has been no acknowledgment from your office regarding this severe disaster—despite global concern over earthquakes abroad. Why has the government failed, for almost a week since this disaster occurred, even to acknowledge it or speak on it? This neglect has left a profound sense of abandonment and sorrow in the hearts of Punjabis everywhere.

Equally troubling is the glaring absence of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), whose mandate is to conduct on-ground rescue operations for floods by deploying specialized teams equipped with engineers, technicians, canine units, and medical staff. Comprising 16 battalions drawn from the Central Armed Police Forces, the NDRF’s flood response includes search and rescue, evacuation, relief distribution, capacity building for communities, and coordination with local authorities and other agencies. The absence of NDRF in Punjab’s current crisis, coupled with mismanagement by the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB), has worsened the situation and caused irreparable damage.

We urgently appeal to the Central Government to:

1) Announce an immediate relief package for rescue and rehabilitation of Punjab flood-hit areas.
2) Ensure equitable assistance for Punjab at par with that provided to other regions, including Bihar and Andhra Pradesh.
3) Deploy NDRF teams immediately to conduct professional rescue, evacuation, and relief operations.
4) Oversee a long-term rehabilitation plan to restore farmland, strengthen embankments, and prevent future disasters.

Punjab is already mobilizing its people, communities, and NGOs to respond to this unprecedented disaster. Yet, given the scale of devastation, it is imperative that the Central Government act immediately and decisively, providing relief, rehabilitation, and strategic support to ensure recovery, protect livelihoods, and safeguard the state’s future.

With urgency and hope, on behalf of all Punjabis.