Punjab Kings Pledge Aid for Flood-Hit Villages in Punjab
Punjab Kings, the Indian Premier League franchise, has pledged more than 3.3 million rupees ($400,000) in relief to support victims of devastating floods that have inundated large parts of Punjab, officials said Saturday. At least 29 people have died and more than 265,000 residents have been displaced across 12 of the state’s 23 districts following days of torrential rain, authorities reported. Entire villages remain submerged, with washed-out roads and collapsed communication lines hampering rescue efforts. Livestock losses have further deepened the crisis. The franchise, co-owned by Bollywood actor Preity Zinta, announced it would contribute 3.38 million rupees to Hemkunt Foundation and Round Table India, both non-profits engaged in providing emergency supplies and relief boats to stranded communities. Zinta, who personally pledged additional funds, said she hoped the contribution would accelerate rescue and rehabilitation work. “Punjab is going through one of its worst humanitarian crises in years. As a team deeply rooted in this state, we feel a strong responsibility to stand with our people,” Zinta said in a social media post. Beyond the immediate donation, Punjab Kings have launched a crowd-funding drive on the online platform Ketto, setting a target of raising 20 million rupees ($2.4 million) by Sept. 15. The funds will be directed to Global Sikh Charity, which plans to distribute relief materials village by village. Organizers said the donations will be used to purchase rescue boats, provide clean drinking water, and supply essential items to flood-hit families. The franchise’s gesture follows earlier expressions of solidarity, including from India’s Test cricket captain Shubman Gill, who hails from Punjab and urged fans to support relief initiatives. The floods have been described by state officials as among the most severe weather disasters in decades, with crop losses stretching into hundreds of thousands of hectares. Authorities continue to appeal for federal aid as rescue teams battle rising waters and logistical challenges. On social media, fans praised Zinta’s initiative, calling it an example of sports teams stepping beyond the field to help communities in crisis.
