Amanatullah appeals for Punjab flood relief, urges Okhlaiites to contribute generously in Okhla camps. Here is the report:
Okhla MLA Amanatullah Khan has appealed to the public to extend support to flood-hit Punjab, highlighting the severe damage caused by heavy rain this year. Heavy rains and floods have battered Punjab, claiming at least 30 lives. The disaster has affected more than 3.5 lakh people as rivers and reservoirs swelled dangerously, forcing authorities to declare all 23 districts as flood-hit.
Rescue teams have evacuated nearly 20,000 people from low-lying and inundated areas. Hundreds of relief camps are now operating across the state, providing shelter, food, and basic necessities to displaced families.
Punjab is the only State which is ruled by the AAP which had lost election to the BJP in Delhi.
In a video message to Okhla residents, Amanatullah said: “As you know, this is a time of devastation across the country. There have been heavy rains this year in many places, and several regions are facing floods. But Punjab has suffered the most damage this time. The people of Punjab have always been the ones who step forward whenever and wherever there has been a crisis in our country. It is also our responsibility to remember how, whenever we were in trouble, the people of Punjab came forward to help. For example, during the protests in Shaheen Bagh against CAA-NRC, people from Punjab came to help. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Punjab helped. During riots, they helped.”
He urged Okhla residents to contribute generously with essential supplies such as food, water, new clothes, mosquito nets, and ration packs. “Relief camps have been set up in Okhla at Shaheen Bagh, outside Madina Masjid in Zakir Nagar, and at Batla House Chowk and Freedom Fountain in Jamia,” he said.
He stressed that all donations should reach the real victims of Punjab flood and meet their actual needs. “If you cannot contribute financially, at least support with prayers,” he said, adding that he will personally oversee the transportation of relief trucks to Punjab in the coming days.
“But today, the situation in Punjab is very bad, and it is our responsibility to help them. That is why I appeal to people across the country, and especially to my people, with this request: keeping our shared culture of unity in mind, contribute whatever you can for people hit by Punjab flood.
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“Keeping these needs in mind, we must send them appropriate help. Once again, I appeal that we must stand with Punjab. The people of Punjab have always stood with others. Let us do even better for them in this time of disaster and help them fully. I appeal to everyone across the country: Make announcements in your mosques, homes, and neighbourhoods; spread this appeal to everyone; and try to send new items. Because Punjab has always helped others, and now its own people are in distress. It is our responsibility to help the affected people,” he said.
While his appeal received appreciation online, some netizens criticised him, urging him to focus on Okhla. They lamented that the locality has been in a pathetic state, with streets dug up for sewer work for the past six months and the project progressing at a slow pace and waterlogged streets, broken roads and piled up garbage in the open.
Terming the 2025 Punjab flood the state’s biggest in the past 37 years, AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal said: “The Centre, which is assisting earthquake victims in Afghanistan, must step in with aid as Punjab is our own.”
Speaking to the media about Punjab flood, Kejriwal said: “We just saw the Centre extending help to earthquake victims in Afghanistan, which is a very good thing. Everyone across the world must be helped during difficult times. But Punjab is our own. I hope the Centre extends help to Punjabis as well.”
He said: “From Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann to ministers and MP Balbir Singh Seechewal, everyone is assisting in the relief work.”
Kejriwal said: “It is heartening to see people standing up for their neighbours. Whenever there has been an attack on India or the country has faced a food crisis, Punjab has risen to the occasion. The same is visible today.”
On Mann, Kejriwal said, “The CM has been visiting flood-affected areas daily and is unwell. However, even in sickness, his thoughts are with the people of Punjab.”
Punjab’s Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said these were the worst floods the state had seen since 1988.
