South Asian communities raise more than $250,000 for Punjab flood relief

South Asian communities have raised more than $250,000 to support victims of the devastating floods in India and Pakistan.

Severe flooding in recent weeks has killed hundreds and displaced millions in the subcontinent.

Described as India's "food basket", the state of Punjab is a leading source of agricultural production, particularly staples such as wheat and rice.

The floods have submerged nearly 150,000 hectares of farmland in India, with rivers in the region sitting at dangerous levels amid heavy monsoon rain and threatening hundreds of low-lying villages.

Led by the New Zealand Central Sikh Association, the fundraising drive for Indian flood relief has received widespread backing from Gurdwaras nationwide, along with organisations such as kabbadi federations.

"Everyone is feeling for the people of Punjab, and we are helping them in every way possible," said Prithi Pal Singh Basra, chair of the New Zealand Central Sikh Association.

The Supreme Sikh Society of New Zealand has contributed $40,000 to support relief efforts.

"We're actually doing it together with other organisations and we're in the final stage of sending it directly to affected families in Punjab," said Daljit Singh, president of the Supreme Sikh Society.

Daljit said they were planning to identify about 100 families in urgent need and send 100,000 rupees (around $2,000) to each.

"The money will be channelled through the local village sarpanch (village head) to ensure it reaches genuine victims," he said.

He said the funds would be sent once the floodwaters fully receded and local authorities were able to assess the extent of the damage.

"Recovery work will begin in a week or so and that's when we are planning to send the money," Daljit said.

Gurdwaras across the country have also contributed $40,000 towards the relief fund.

Two kabbadi federations have donated $50,000 each, while Auckland-based Punjabi radio station Radio Spice has raised more than $17,500 through a Givealittle campaign.

"As a community organisation, we stand in solidarity with the people of Punjab," said Manjinder Singh Bassi, secretary of the Kabbadi Federation of New Zealand.

"This support is part of our responsibility to give back and help families recover," he said. "Our upcoming season will also focus on raising further funds to continue this mission."

The station will also host a radiothon on Saturday in order to raise additional funds.

"We're hoping to raise $20,000 for Punjab," said Parminder Singh, manager of Radio Spice.

Parminder, who recently returned from the affected state, said he witnessed the scale of the disaster firsthand.

"I cancelled my itinerary to Leh and Ladakh and went to Punjab to report from the ground and volunteer for relief work," he said.

Parminder said rural communities had been hit especially hard.

"There were very few boats to rescue people in rural areas, and supplies for both humans and animals were limited," he said. "Agriculture and horticulture, the backbone of Punjab's economy, will suffer long-term damage."

He said schools had been closed for nearly a month, leaving students behind, while the elderly, pregnant women and dialysis patients continued to face severe challenges.

However, the community's spirit remained strong despite the hardship, he said.

"It has been emotional to see families lose homes, loved ones and livelihoods," he said.

"I left Punjab 25 years ago and never thought I'd meet my people again under such heartbreaking circumstances."

Pakistan 'hit hard'

The Punjab floods are the latest in a string of extreme weather events this year that have wrought devastation across Pakistan.

Asif Khan, president of the Pakistan Association of New Zealand, said the scale of the flooding put a spotlight on worsening climate impacts in the region.

"Floods during monsoon are not new, but the intensity and unpredictability of the rains have increased tremendously," he said.

"Melting glaciers in June triggered flash floods, and a cloudburst weeks later created havoc in the northern regions of Pakistan."

Khan said many households in Pakistan were less prepared than those in India, which was why the loss of life and property had been much higher.

At least 118 people died in Pakistan's Punjab region due to the recent floods, according to local news agency Dawn.

A recent UN report said more than 6 million people had been affected since the unusually heavy monsoon rains began in late June, with nearly 1000 deaths, including around 250 children.

The Pakistani community in New Zealand has rallied together to raise funds for relief efforts in the affected areas.

The Pakistan Association of New Zealand had donated $60,000 through the Al Khidmat Foundation, a relief organisation operating on the ground.

More fundraising efforts are underway.

Khan said he was grateful for the support received so far but stressed that more was needed.

"With about half of Pakistan's population living below the poverty line, this disaster will hit hard," he said. "We need to help them as much as we can."