Langar Aid provides critical relief to Wales communities affected by severe flooding

28 Nov 2024 | Updated 13 Dec 2024

Three Langar Aid volunteers arrived at the scene of heavy flooding in Pontypridd in Wales and provided vital aid to communities in need.

Storm Bert began as snow, gales and rain, and, over the weekend, developed into a raging, dangerous rainstorm. The storm ravaged through the UK and caused floods, meaning disruption to travel services and unprecedented destruction to property. Communities residing in Wales expressed great concern regarding the underestimation of flood warnings given Wales’ history of devastation caused by flooding.

Langar Aid followed this news carefully, and set out to Pontypridd on Sunday 24th in a band of three. Marcus Lapsa, Kully Kaur Deol and Bill Mato drove 130 miles in a van full of 200 packed lunches, clean materials and dehumidifiers to distribute and aid the suffering residents of Pontypridd.

The three volunteers travelled to Trallwn Community Centre early on Monday, where they witnessed residents desperately scramble to block water flow with buckets, sandbags. Homes and businesses were inundated by bursting riverbanks, while communities were left underwhelmed by the lack of early-on assistance by the Welsh government and inaccurate weather warnings.

Despite the devastation, the community of Pontypridd were resilient in their relief efforts, and were overjoyed to receive Langar Aid’s support.

‘Thanks to all the Langar Aid and Khalsa Aid Canada teams who helped get everything together. Proud to be a cog in this dedicated humanitarian team.’

- Marcus Lapsa, Volunteer