Punjab is facing one of the worst floods in recent decades. The state government has officially declared all 23 districts flood-affected. According to officials, the natural disaster has claimed 30 lives so far and impacted more than 3.5 lakh people.
The major rivers of Punjab—Sutlej, Beas, and Ravi—are overflowing. Reservoirs of dams are full, and water levels are dangerously high. Authorities have issued alerts in several districts as rivers are flowing close to danger marks.
Visits by Governor and Chief Minister
Governor Gulab Chand Kataria and Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann visited the worst-affected areas separately. Mann surveyed Ferozepur by boat and spoke to affected families. Kataria inspected Ferozepur and Tarn Taran, two of the hardest-hit districts.
The Chief Minister expressed concern about the “minimal compensation” given to victims of natural disasters. He demanded that the Centre revise relief norms. Mann also repeated his demand for the release of Punjab’s pending Rs 60,000 crore fund. He said that the state was asking for its rights, not for charity.
Scale of Flood Damage
According to official figures, more than 1,400 villages are affected. Districts like Gurdaspur, Amritsar, Hoshiarpur, Kapurthala, Ferozepur, Tarn Taran, and Fazilka are among the worst-hit.
In Gurdaspur, 324 villages are under water. Amritsar has 135 submerged villages, while Hoshiarpur has 119 affected villages.
Floodwaters have damaged crops across 1,48,590 hectares of farmland. Punjab’s agriculture-based economy is reeling from this loss. Paddy, the main crop of the season, has suffered the most.
In Fazilka alone, 41,099 acres of farmland are damaged. Kapurthala has 28,714 acres under water. Ferozepur has lost 26,703 acres, and Tarn Taran 24,532 acres. Early estimates suggest Gurdaspur may lose nearly 30,000 acres, though final figures are pending.
Cabinet Minister Hardeep Singh Mundian confirmed that the disaster has spread from 12 to all 23 districts. He said that 1,400 villages are now flood-affected, impacting 3,54,626 people. Nearly 20,000 have already been evacuated.
Rescue and Relief Operations
Rescue efforts are underway on a war footing. Twenty-three teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) are deployed. The Army, Air Force, Navy, and Border Security Force are also participating.
The military has sent 12 units, including two engineering units, along with nearly 35 helicopters. The state has deployed 114 boats and one state helicopter.
So far, 15,688 people have been rescued. Gurdaspur alone accounts for 5,549 rescued. Ferozepur has 3,321 rescues, while Fazilka has 2,049.
The government has set up 174 relief camps, out of which 74 are active. At present, 4,729 people are staying in these shelters. Ferozepur has the maximum, with 3,450 people living in relief camps.
Medical Support and Animal Care
Health Minister Balbir Singh stated that 818 medical teams are deployed. Doctors and paramedics are working in flood-hit areas to ensure no person is deprived of treatment.
The government is also supplying fodder for animals and setting up veterinary services. With large livestock populations in rural Punjab, these measures are essential.
Condition of Dams and Rivers
Bhakra, Pong, and Ranjit Sagar dams are filled to capacity. The Pong dam has crossed its danger level, reaching 1,391 feet against the danger mark of 1,390 feet. As a result, 1.09 lakh cusecs of water has been released into the Beas river.
The Ravi river is witnessing a flow of 14.11 lakh cusecs. This is even higher than the 11.20 lakh cusecs recorded during the devastating floods of 1988. Authorities fear the situation could worsen in the coming days.
Climate Change and Human Negligence
Experts say climate change has intensified the floods. Erratic rainfall patterns and heavy downpours in Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir increased water flow in Punjab’s rivers.
Human errors have also worsened the disaster. Lack of river dredging, encroachment on floodplains, and weak dam infrastructure are cited as reasons.
The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued warnings of more rainfall in the next two days. This could worsen the already dire situation.
Agricultural Loss Assessment
The government has ordered a special girdawari to assess crop loss. This will begin after the floodwaters recede. Farmers across Punjab are facing huge financial losses.
Paddy cultivation, critical at this stage of the season, has been devastated. Farmers say that the damage is beyond recovery and will affect their income for the year. Many are worried about loan repayments and rising debt.
Humanitarian Crisis
The floods have displaced thousands of families. Many have lost homes, farmland, and livestock. Relief camps are providing shelter, but conditions are difficult. Food, drinking water, and sanitation remain concerns in some areas.
Volunteers and NGOs have joined relief efforts, distributing food and medicines. Schools and community halls are being converted into temporary shelters.
Centre and State Coordination
The Punjab government has urged the Centre to release pending funds urgently. Officials argue that without central support, relief and rehabilitation will be difficult.
Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann emphasized that the state is not begging. He said Punjab deserves rightful financial support in this crisis.
Long-Term Concerns
Experts warn that floods in Punjab are becoming more frequent and severe. Climate change, poor infrastructure, and uncontrolled urbanization are combining to create disasters.
They stress the need for long-term planning. This includes strengthening embankments, cleaning rivers, restricting construction on floodplains, and modernizing dams.
Without systemic reforms, Punjab’s agriculture and economy will remain at risk every monsoon season.
Punjab is battling one of its worst floods in decades. All 23 districts are declared flood-affected. Thirty people have lost their lives, and over 3.5 lakh are suffering. Crops across more than 1.4 lakh hectares are destroyed, devastating the farming economy.
Rescue operations by NDRF, the Army, Air Force, and Navy continue at full scale. Relief camps are housing thousands, while medical teams work tirelessly. Yet, the crisis is far from over.
With dams overflowing and rivers above danger marks, Punjab faces a grave challenge. The government’s demand for central support highlights the scale of the disaster. The floods are a reminder of the urgent need to address climate change, infrastructure gaps, and preparedness to protect lives and livelihoods in Punjab.
