Punjab Floods: Massive Evacuations Underway
Chandigarh, August 31: Punjab is grappling with severe flooding as heavy rains continue to affect large parts of the state. S. Hardeep Singh Mundian, Revenue, Rehabilitation, and Disaster Management Minister, announced that 14,936 people have been evacuated from flood-affected areas so far.
The state government, in coordination with the NDRF, SDRF, Army, and Punjab Police, is working round-the-clock to ensure safety and protect property. Relief operations are ongoing, and authorities are continuously monitoring water levels and affected districts.
District-Wise Rescue Operations
According to Minister Mundian, evacuation efforts have been concentrated in severely impacted districts:
- Amritsar: 1,700 rescued
- Barnala: 25 rescued
- Fazilka: 1,599 rescued
- Ferozepur: 3,265 rescued
- Gurdaspur: 5,456 rescued
- Hoshiarpur: 1,052 rescued
- Kapurthala: 362 rescued
- Mansa: 163 rescued
- Moga: 115 rescued
- Pathankot: 1,139 rescued
- Tarn Taran: 60 rescued
The minister highlighted that the administration has deployed boats and initiated airlifting operations wherever necessary to reach stranded residents.
Relief Camps Operational Across Punjab
To accommodate displaced residents, the government has set up 122 relief camps across affected districts, currently sheltering 6,582 people.
District-wise breakdown of relief camps:
- Amritsar: 16 camps, 170 people
- Barnala: 1 camp, 25 people
- Fazilka: 7 camps, 652 people
- Ferozepur: 8 camps, 3,987 people
- Gurdaspur: 25 camps, 411 people
- Hoshiarpur: 20 camps, 478 people
- Kapurthala: 4 camps, 110 people
- Mansa: 1 camp, 163 people
- Moga: 5 camps, 115 people
- Pathankot: 14 camps, 411 people
- Sangrur: 1 camp, 60 people
- Patiala: 20 camps
The minister directed Deputy Commissioners to ensure essential supplies, including food, water, and medical aid, are readily available in all camps.
Extensive Deployment of Rescue Teams
Minister Mundian praised the efforts of all personnel involved, stating, “The state machinery, along with NDRF, SDRF, Army, and NGOs, is standing firmly with affected residents during this critical period.”
Currently, rescue operations include:
- NDRF Teams: 6 in Gurdaspur; 1 each in Fazilka, Ferozepur, Pathankot, and Amritsar
- SDRF Teams: 2 in Kapurthala
- Army, Navy, Air Force: Active in Kapurthala, Gurdaspur, Ferozepur, and Pathankot
- BSF Teams: Gurdaspur and Ferozepur
- Punjab Police & Fire Brigade: Assisting in Kapurthala and Ferozepur
Additionally, 15 boats in Kapurthala, 12 in Ferozepur, and 4 in Pathankot are engaged in evacuation operations. Airlifting is conducted wherever floods have cut off access to villages.
Flood Impact Across Punjab
The minister reported that 1,312 villages have been affected statewide. Major district-wise numbers include:
- Amritsar: 93 villages
- Barnala: 26
- Bathinda: 21
- Fatehgarh Sahib: 1
- Fazilka: 92
- Ferozepur: 107
- Gurdaspur: 324
- Hoshiarpur: 86
- Jalandhar: 55
- Kapurthala: 123
- Ludhiana: 26
- Malerkotla: 4
- Mansa: 77
- Moga: 35
- Pathankot: 81
- Patiala: 14
- Rupnagar: 2
- Sangrur: 22
- SAS Nagar: 1
- SBS Nagar: 3
- Sri Muktsar Sahib: 74
- Tarn Taran: 45
These numbers reflect the extensive spread of floodwaters and the ongoing challenge for relief agencies.
Government Response and Public Advisory
Minister Mundian urged residents in vulnerable areas to follow government advisories and move to safer locations immediately. He emphasized that early evacuation and cooperation with rescue teams are critical to safeguarding lives.
Authorities have also strengthened communication networks in affected regions and established helplines for urgent assistance.