Arvind Kejriwal urges nation to aid flood-hit Punjab, AAP lawmakers to donate one month’s salary

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) supremo Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday urged the nation to extend financial assistance to flood-ravaged Punjab, which is facing its worst floods in 37 years. He announced that all AAP MPs and MLAs will donate one month’s salary to the Punjab Chief Minister’s Relief Fund and appealed to citizens to contribute generously.

Kejriwal’s call for support comes as Punjab reels under the devastation caused by heavy rains and floods, which have triggered large-scale damage and displacement across multiple districts.

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In a video message shared on the party’s official X handle, the AAP National Convenor described Punjab as the land that has always fed the nation and stood firm during times of crisis, urging people to now stand by the state in its hour of need.

“Punjab has always stood tall in the face of every calamity that has struck the nation. Whether during attacks or food crises, it has been the first to bear the blow and the first to help the country. But today, Punjab itself is in crisis. I appeal to all my fellow countrymen to extend every possible help to the people of Punjab in this difficult time,” Kejriwal said.

देश पर आई किसी भी मुसीबत के सामने पंजाब हमेशा सीना तानकर खड़ा रहा है। आज पंजाब संकट में है। मेरी सभी देशवासियों से अपील है कि इस मुश्किल घड़ी में पंजाब के लोगों की हर संभव मदद करें।

आम आदमी पार्टी के सभी सांसद व विधायक एक महीने की सैलरी पंजाब मुख्यमंत्री राहत कोष में दे रहे हैं।… pic.x.com/hWvyRdyp0t

— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) September 2, 2025

Kejriwal underlined that the scale of devastation in Punjab is unprecedented, with more than 1,000 villages submerged and over 2.5 lakh people left homeless. Thousands of acres of crops have been destroyed, robbing families of their livelihoods.

“This is no ordinary flood. Such a calamity has struck Punjab after 37 years. People’s lifetime savings and earnings have been washed away,” he said.

Kejriwal praised the resilience and spirit of Punjabis who, despite losing homes and jobs, continue to extend help to their neighbours. “Humanity finds no greater example than Punjab, where people are standing by each other in these toughest times,” he remarked, noting that AAP volunteers are actively distributing food, medicines, and other essentials on the ground.

Kejriwal appealed to all political parties, state governments, and the Centre to “forget politics” and stand united with Punjab in its time of crisis. “The crisis is too big for Punjab to handle alone. The entire nation must unite to rescue Punjab from this terrible tragedy,” he urged. His video message concluded with a QR code linking to the Punjab CM Relief Fund, enabling citizens to contribute directly to relief and recovery efforts.

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According to Punjab Revenue, Rehabilitation and Disaster Management Minister S. Hardeep Singh Mundian, the floods have impacted over 2.56 lakh people across 12 districts, causing widespread damage to lives, property, agriculture, and livestock.

To provide immediate relief, the state government has established 129 relief camps, which are sheltering 7,144 people. Ferozepur accounts for the maximum with 3,987 inmates, followed by Fazilka (1,201), Hoshiarpur (478), Pathankot (411), and Gurdaspur (424).

A total of 1,044 villages have been affected so far, with Gurdaspur reporting the highest number at 321, followed by Kapurthala (115), Hoshiarpur (94), Amritsar (88), and Pathankot (82).

Gurdaspur remains the worst-affected district with nearly 1.45 lakh people impacted. Other severely affected districts include Amritsar (35,000), Ferozepur (24,015), and Fazilka (21,562). To aid relief and rescue operations, the state has mobilised multiple agencies.

The NDRF has deployed 20 teams, while the Army, Navy, and Air Force have sent 10 columns with eight more on standby, supported by engineer units. Over 35 helicopters, 114 boats, and a state helicopter are engaged in rescue missions, with the BSF assisting in flood-affected border areas.