Punjab's Relentless Flood Fury: Unraveling the Collapses and the Crisis of Accountability

Punjab finds itself in a state of déjà vu, but this time, the nightmare is far more severe. Barely a month after grappling with devastating July floods, the state is once again submerged, facing what many are calling its worst inundation in decades. The relentless monsoon rains have battered the region, but the true tragedy lies in the alarming, almost predictable, collapse of critical river embankments along the Sutlej, Beas, and Ghaggar rivers.

This recurring vulnerability has ignited a fierce debate: who is truly to blame for Punjab's perennial flood crisis?

From the plains of Tarn Taran, Ferozepur, and Fazilka to the crucial agricultural belts of Kapurthala, Ropar, Jalandhar, Patiala, and Sangrur, the story is tragically consistent.

Homes are submerged, standing crops – the very lifeline of the state – are destroyed, and livelihoods are shattered. The Ghaggar River, in particular, has become a symbol of destruction, causing widespread havoc across multiple districts. Yet, amidst the rising waters and the despair, the blame game between political factions continues unabated, diverting attention from the urgent need for concrete, long-term solutions.

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government, currently at the helm, points fingers at the alleged negligence of previous Congress and Shiromani Akali Dal-BJP administrations, citing years of inadequate maintenance of the 'dhussi bundhs' (earthen embankments).

Conversely, the opposition lambastes the current government for its perceived inaction, particularly after the July floods, questioning why preventative measures were not taken to fortify vulnerable spots. There's also a significant shadow cast by the Centre-state dynamic, with calls for greater central assistance and coordinated flood management strategies often met with political sparring rather than collaborative action.

A disturbing undercurrent to this crisis is the widely believed problem of illegal sand mining.

Environmentalists and local residents alike contend that unchecked sand extraction from riverbeds systematically weakens the natural and artificial defenses, making them far more susceptible to breaches during heavy spates. This unregulated activity, often operating with impunity, compromises the structural integrity of embankments, turning a natural phenomenon into a man-made disaster waiting to happen.

Beyond the immediate breaches, experts highlight a more systemic failure: poor drainage infrastructure and a chronic lack of desilting.

Many of Punjab’s natural drainage channels and village ponds have either been encroached upon or are choked with silt, drastically reducing their capacity to handle excess rainwater. This means that even moderate rainfall can quickly escalate into severe flooding, as water has nowhere to go. The maintenance of these vital systems appears to be a consistent oversight, year after year.

The human cost of this neglect is immense.

Farmers, who have already weathered economic hardships, now face the grim reality of completely ruined crops, potentially leading to significant debt and despair. Entire villages are being evacuated, residents losing not just their homes but their sense of security. The emotional toll of repeatedly rebuilding lives from scratch, only to face the same fate a few months later, is immeasurable.

The cries for accountability resonate deeply across the affected regions.

As Punjab navigates this deepening crisis, the urgent demand is for a paradigm shift from reactive relief to proactive prevention. This includes immediate, robust repairs and strengthening of all vulnerable embankments, stringent enforcement against illegal sand mining, comprehensive desilting of rivers and drainage systems, and a well-coordinated disaster management plan involving all levels of government and local communities.

The people of Punjab deserve more than just a blame game; they demand a future secured from the relentless fury of floods.