In The Face Of The Flood, Punjab’s Hope And Courage Light The Way

In the face of unimaginable adversity, the human spirit shines brightest. Punjab, a land of endurance and courage, recently faced its worst floods since 1988. The deluge submerged over 1,400 villages and affected 350,000 lives. Swollen rivers like the Sutlej, Beas, and Ravi claimed 46 lives and devastated livelihoods, turning fields into lakes and homes into ruins.

Yet, from this crisis emerged an extraordinary testament to the human spirit. Guided by Chardi Kala—the Sikh ethos of unyielding optimism and resilience—Punjab’s people, alongside neighbours and strangers, wove a vibrant tapestry of hope through selfless service (sewa). This is the story of a community’s unbreakable bond, rising above adversity with compassion and unity.

A story of resilience

The crisis brought out the best in people, with many going above and beyond to help those affected. In Kapurthala, a firm that has been supplying railway coach parts since 1989 has transformed its four-acre plant into a hub of sewa, crafting 50 boats to navigate inundated districts like Amritsar, Barnala, and the Harike belt, with plans for 50 more. 

Near Balloki, villagers and Punjab Police formed human chains in chest-deep water, wielding sandbags to reinforce breached embankments and protect dozens of villages. In Gurdaspur, residents tirelessly repaired broken barriers, vowing, “Where it breaks, we fix it with sacks.”

In Amritsar, an elderly Sikh farmer waded through floodwaters to donate ₹2,000 from his submerged home, while another served tea to weary rescuers. Viral footage captured villagers rescuing buffaloes, cows, sheep, goats, and even a kitten, using ropes and makeshift boats to preserve livelihoods. In Ferozepur, local welfare groups went door-to-door, delivering rations to hunger-stricken families. These acts of grit and solidarity embodied Punjab’s spirit, proving that compassion can triumph over calamity.

In the impoverished Mewat region, spanning Gurugram, Faridabad, and Nuh, communities battling their own waterlogged plight showed profound generosity. A 75-year-old Muslim woman from Tilakpuri village donated her cherished silver bangles to aid Punjab’s flood victims. In Nunehra, elderly women contributed two kilograms of silver and 20 grams of gold, worth ₹5 lakh, while others gave utensils and old-age pensions. Despite their meagre savings, these women stood by their neighbours, proving that disaster transcends religion.

Mewat’s mosques rallied the community, with young and old donating whatever they could spare. Over 250 truckloads of relief poured into Punjab, a testament to Kisaniyat—the shared bond of farmers forging a spiritual kinship across state lines. These acts of sacrifice wove deep empathy into Punjab’s recovery, showing that humanity’s strength lies in collective action.

Beyond Punjab, support flowed from near and far. Despite past water-sharing tensions, Haryana sent boats and manpower, while volunteers cooked langars in waist-deep water and set up medical camps for the injured. Celebrities, hoteliers, and NRIs contributed generously, answering the call to aid their motherland.

The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and Army evacuated over 20,000 people using boats and helicopters, but it was the unsung heroes—farmers, youths, and neighbours who amplified these efforts. Their tireless work distributing supplies and mending embankments reflected a shared commitment to rebuilding lives.

From urban centres to rural hamlets, the call to aid Punjab resonated. Relief stocks overflowed, with organisations pausing donations as warehouses brimmed. Though the floodwaters have not fully receded, the scars of this disaster will linger for years. Long-term rehabilitation rooted in community solidarity and sewa will stand the test of time.

Punjab’s story is not one of despair but of hope. From Mewat’s selfless women to Kapurthala’s bootmakers, from human chains to rescued livestock, the response to this crisis showcased humanity’s power to unite.

Punjab's flood response showcases the enduring power of the human spirit. It's a reminder that even in the face of unimaginable adversity, we can come together to support each other and overcome even the most daunting challenges. May the spirit of Punjab's people be a guiding light for us all. 

Views expressed by the author are their own.