Overview

• Rahul Gandhi wrote again to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging an immediate, comprehensive relief and rehabilitation package for Punjab.
• He cited devastation including crops lost over more than 4 lakh acres, over 10 lakh animals perished, and extensive damage to homes.
• Local reporting notes at least 56 deaths and 1,98,525 hectares of crop area affected across 2,097 villages in 23 districts.
• The Union government earlier announced Rs 1,600 crore in aid, ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh to next of kin and Rs 50,000 for the injured, and Rs 240.80 crore to the State Disaster Response Fund.
• Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann called the central aid insufficient, pointing to much higher loss estimates and alleging withholding of Rural Development Fund money.