CJMR 1320: Punjab Flood Relief Radiothon
From late August to September, Northern India endured widespread flooding due to relentless monsoon rains that impacted the Indian states of Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, and Uttarakhand. Punjab bore the brunt of the disaster, resulting in a substantial loss of life.
Climate change played a pivotal role in exacerbating the situation. Moist easterly winds and dry westerly disturbances conspired to generate extreme rainfall. Consequently, several rivers in the region overflowed, submerging farmland, destroying infrastructure, and displacing hundreds of thousands of people.
In Punjab alone, over 2000 villages were affected, crops valued in the millions were destroyed, and farmers faced exacerbated economic hardships. Furthermore, the flood caused damage to roads and highways and compromised the water supply.
In response to the crisis, the Indian government has pledged aid to Punjab and the affected areas, although progress has been slow. In solidarity, Punjabi communities worldwide are participating in radiothons to raise funds for relief efforts.
This Friday, CJMR will host a radiothon for flood relief in collaboration with the Ontario Sikhs and Gurdwara Council. The funds raised will be directed to the Punjab Food Victims Relief Fund, which will be distributed locally as necessary.
We invite you to listen to this Friday’s radiothon, which will air from 6:00 AM to 9:00 AM and again from 10:00 PM to 12:00 AM. Your support will make a significant difference in the lives of those affected by this devastating event.
