SULTANPUR LODHI – The devastating floods in Punjab have once again left a trail of human tragedy and financial ruin, with the plight of Gurmeet Kaur (65) and Bakhtaur Singh (68) from Rampur Gaura village serving as a poignant example. The couple, along with their family of ten, lost their home for the second consecutive year as the raging waters of the Beas river inundated the area.
Bakhtaur Singh’s house was severely damaged in the 2023 floods, and its walls had collapsed. This year, the floods have proved even more catastrophic. On August 29, the family had only a few hours to salvage their belongings, loading household items like stored grains, a small refrigerator, and an inverter onto two boats. They were forced to leave behind other valuables, including an iron drum and their grandchildren’s computer.
The financial and emotional toll on the family is immense. Bakhtaur was already burdened with a ₹10 lakh debt, and the current floods have decimated his entire paddy crop spread across 8.5 acres. The family is now scattered, with members living in five different locations, and their cattle have been moved to a separate village for safety.
“We didn’t get a single rupee in girdawari in 2023 either and the crop is ruined again now,” lamented Gurmeet Kaur. “Debts mount.” Their story echoes the suffering of countless families in villages across Sultanpur Lodhi, Dhilwan, and Bholath, who face similar losses and a long road to recovery.
The family was aided by local good Samaritans like Paramjit Singh and Jathedar Babar Singh, who helped them in their desperate evacuation. The incident underscores the urgent need for long-term solutions, including effective disaster relief and compensation mechanisms, to protect rural communities from the recurring and devastating impact of floods.