Radiothon for Punjab flood relief an ‘outpouring of support’

A radiothon was held over the weekend to raise money for two million people affected by the biggest flood in the history of Pakistan's eastern Punjab province.

An emergency radiothon was underway in southeast Edmonton to support those affected by the floods in Punjab.

The Punjab Flood Relief Radiothon was hosted on Saturday until 6 p.m. by My Radio 580 AM outside Gurdwara Shri Guru Dukh Nivaran Sahib near the Ellerslie neighbourhood in Edmonton.

The end of August saw the biggest flood in the history of Pakistan’s eastern Punjab province, affecting an estimated 2 million people.

Punjab, which is a region divided between both Pakistan and India, is home to around 150 million people and stands as a vital agricultural sector for both countries.

“Both sides of the Punjab border are devastated by this flood,” said radio manager Gursharan Buttar.

“Lots of people have lost their livelihood, and lots of lives have been lost in the flood.”

Three rivers – Sutlej, Chenab and Ravi – carried high levels of water exacerbated by monsoon rains in Pakistan, flooding many of the surrounding communities.

Across northern India, government officials have said rains, floods and landslides have killed at least 90 people and displaced hundreds of thousands as of early September.

Experts have attributed strengthening rains in both countries to human-caused climate change.

“The situation they’re facing right now, it’s not only immediate impact. It’s a long-term impact. How to turn around their life, how to rebuild everything,” Buttar said.

Many Punjabi communities around the world, he added, are doing a radiothon to collect money on their own. He said Saturday’s event in Edmonton was one he organized in very little time.

“We just started last week, and today we’re gathered, and people are coming and donating, and calling through the telephone and pledging,” he said.

While the final numbers aren’t out yet, Buttar estimated his radiothon will bring in over $100,000 for victims in Punjab.

Nam Kular, a local activist and realtor, helped with the radiothon.

“This has been amazing … it’s an outpouring of support. It’s really great to see the community come together and help back home,” he said on Saturday.

“Canadians, this is what we’re all about. We’re willing to help.”

With files from CTV News Edmonton’s Connor Hogg and The Associated Press