Punjab is facing severe floods caused by continuous heavy rainfall, leading to widespread destruction across the state. According to S. Hardeep Singh Mundian, Punjab’s Revenue, Rehabilitation and Disaster Management Minister, over 2.56 lakh people in 12 districts have been affected. Thousands have been displaced, and the floods have caused significant losses to human life, property, agriculture, and livestock.
Mass Evacuations and Relief Camps
The minister reported that 15,688 people have been evacuated so far. Gurdaspur saw the highest number with 5,549 people moved to safety, followed by Ferozepur (3,321), Fazilka (2,049), Amritsar (1,700), Pathankot (1,139), and Hoshiarpur (1,052). To provide shelter, the government has set up 129 relief camps, housing 7,144 people. Ferozepur hosts the largest number of evacuees at 3,987, followed by Fazilka (1,201), Hoshiarpur (478), Pathankot (411), and Gurdaspur (424).
Villages and Districts Worst Hit
Flooding has affected 1,044 villages. Gurdaspur is the hardest hit with 321 villages impacted, followed by Kapurthala (115), Hoshiarpur (94), Amritsar (88), and Pathankot (82). In terms of population, Gurdaspur has nearly 1.45 lakh people affected, while Amritsar (35,000), Ferozepur (24,015), and Fazilka (21,562) are also heavily impacted.
Rescue Operations and Human Toll
Various agencies are involved in relief efforts. The NDRF has deployed 20 teams, while the Army, Navy, and Air Force have 10 columns on the ground with 8 more on standby, supported by engineering units. More than 35 helicopters are conducting rescue operations, along with 114 boats and one state helicopter. BSF personnel are helping in border areas. The floods have claimed 29 lives from August 1 to September 1. Pathankot reported the highest number with six deaths. Amritsar, Barnala, Hoshiarpur, Ludhiana, and Mansa each recorded three deaths. Other districts reporting casualties include Bathinda (1), Gurdaspur (1), Patiala (1), Rupnagar (3), SAS Nagar (1), and Sangrur (1). Three people remain missing in Pathankot.
Agricultural Losses and Government Response
Punjab’s agricultural sector has faced major losses with 94,061 hectares of crops damaged. Amritsar (23,000 hectares), Mansa (17,005 hectares), Kapurthala (14,934 hectares), Tarn Taran (11,883 hectares), and Ferozepur (11,232 hectares) are among the most affected. Smaller losses have been reported in other districts. Minister Mundian said medical teams and relief supplies are in action, though the full damage to livestock and infrastructure will only be known after floodwaters recede. He emphasized that the Bhagwant Singh Mann-led government is focused on immediate relief and long-term rehabilitation. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann visited the affected Miani village and spoke with residents at a relief camp in the Government High School. District officials have been instructed to complete damage assessments quickly to provide timely compensation to those affected.
