CHANDIGARH — Punjab is grappling with its most severe and widespread floods in decades, with the state government officially declaring all 23 districts as disaster-affected. The devastating deluge has claimed the lives of 30 people and impacted over 3.54 lakh individuals, while destroying crops on more than 1.48 lakh hectares of land. The crisis is compounded by the loss of hundreds of livestock, a critical component of the rural economy.
The situation is expected to worsen as the Meteorological Department has issued an Orange warning for heavy to very heavy rainfall today in several districts, including those already severely affected. Authorities are urging residents living near the overflowing Sutlej, Ravi, and Beas rivers to evacuate to relief camps immediately.
Widespread Devastation and Rescue Efforts
Gurdaspur remains the worst-hit district, with more than 1.45 lakh people affected and a staggering 1 lakh acres of crops submerged. Other severely impacted districts include Amritsar, Ferozepur, Fazilka, and Pathankot, where thousands of hectares of paddy and other crops have been inundated just weeks before the harvest.
The state government, in coordination with the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), the Indian Army, Air Force, and Border Security Force (BSF), has ramped up rescue and relief operations. According to the state government’s flood bulletin, nearly 20,000 people have been evacuated so far, and 174 relief camps have been set up to provide shelter and essential supplies. Punjab Revenue, Rehabilitation, and Disaster Management Minister Hardeep Singh Mundian has assured that every possible effort is being made for timely relief and rehabilitation.
Inter-State Cooperation and Call for Central Aid
Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini has extended a helping hand to Punjab and Jammu & Kashmir, releasing financial assistance of Rs 5 crore each from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund. In a letter to his counterparts, Saini assured that the people of Haryana stand in solidarity with the flood-affected states.
Meanwhile, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has urged the central government to enhance compensation for flood victims and release pending funds to the state. Mann has called for an upward revision of the compensation for crop losses to at least ₹50,000 per acre, arguing that the current central norms are “unrealistic.”
