Patiala | Updated: July 16, 2026
Punjab Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr. Balbir Singh on Wednesday said people need not panic over possible flooding during the monsoon season, as the state government is on high alert.
Addressing a press conference in Patiala, the minister said all necessary flood-prevention measures had been completed through coordinated efforts of different departments.
He said the Ghaggar River, Badi Nadi, and other rivers and seasonal drains were being monitored continuously.
Dr. Balbir Singh said the Drainage Department and district administration had already completed flood-prevention preparations.
He added that desilting of the Badi Nadi, strengthening of embankments, and steps to increase its carrying capacity had also been carried out.
The minister said the Health Department had intensified awareness campaigns against dengue and other communicable diseases.
He said arrangements had also been strengthened for treatment in case of flood-related health emergencies.
diarrhea,Dr. Balbir Singh said special focus was being given to the prevention of water-borne diseases such as dengue, chikungunya, diarrhoea and hepatitis.
He said the 104 Health Helpline had been activated to respond to medical emergencies.
Coordination has been established among the Health, Drainage, Water Supply, Local Government, Panchayati Raj, and Education departments.
The minister said the Indian Medical Association, chemists’ associations, NGOs, and other stakeholders had also been involved in preparedness efforts.
He said a list of 85 essential medicines had been prepared and supplied to hospitals for quick response during any flood-related health emergency.
Dr. Balbir Singh said 1,200 beds had been reserved in government hospitals across Punjab for dengue patients.
Dengue testing capacity has been increased tenfold, and 30,000 tests have been conducted at Aam Aadmi Clinics alone.
He said the weekly “Dengue Te Vaar” campaign, held every Friday, had also been intensified.
Under the Chief Minister’s Health Scheme, dengue patients are being provided free treatment, including a single-dose platelet kit worth about ₹12,000.
The minister said 2,300 joint teams had been constituted across the state.
Around 1,500 breeding checkers, 38,122 trained nursing students, and 20,515 ASHA workers have been deployed to inspect nearly 53 lakh households.
Dengue larvae have been destroyed at more than 11,000 houses.
District-level task forces have also been set up, and all activities are being monitored in real time.
Responding to a question on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s proposed visit to Punjab on July 17, Dr. Balbir Singh said he hoped the center would release pending flood relief announced last year.
He also urged the central government to release the withheld rural development fund and restore reduced allocations under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
Earlier, Dr. Balbir Singh chaired a review meeting to assess flood preparedness in the Patiala district.
The meeting was attended by Deputy Commissioner Dr. Himanshu Aggarwal, ADC Rural Development Damanjit Singh Mann, Additional Commissioner of the Municipal Corporation Simarpreet Kaur, IMA Patiala President Dr. Amandeep Singh Bakhshi, Chemists’ Association Presidents Gursharan Singh Dhillon and Gurjeet Singh Lucky, Civil Surgeon Dr. Shelly Jetley, and officials from several departments.
Deputy Commissioner Dr. Himanshu Aggarwal said all necessary flood-management arrangements had been completed in the Patiala district in line with directions issued by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann.
He said the Flood Control Room was functioning round the clock at 0175-2350550 and 0175-2385550.
A dedicated WhatsApp number will also be launched shortly to help the public.
Dr. Aggarwal said an audit of weed removal from rivers would be carried out, and machinery would remain permanently deployed for repeated clearance.
He added that adequate numbers of boats, life jackets, ropes, and other rescue equipment had been arranged.
Proper rainwater drainage has also been ensured in Patiala city, as well as in other towns and villages of the district.
