Round-the-Clock Presence Ordered in Flood-Hit Districts
The Punjab Government has intensified flood relief efforts in Pathankot and Gurdaspur after heavy rainfall in Jammu & Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh triggered rising water levels in major rivers. On Monday, state authorities cancelled all leaves for officers and staff in flood-affected areas, directing administrative teams to remain on the ground 24×7.
Punjab Water Resources Minister Barinder Kumar Goyal and Food and Civil Supplies Minister Lal Chand Kataruchak visited several affected villages. They assured residents that “no stone will be left unturned in safeguarding lives and property.”
Both ministers stressed that immediate priorities include saving lives, minimizing damage, and ensuring timely relief supplies. Helicopters are being deployed to evacuate residents trapped in submerged areas, while community kitchens and relief centers have been set up across the region.
Dam Releases Raise Water Levels in Ravi River
The current situation stems from continuous rainfall in the hilly states over the last three days, which pushed the Ranjit Sagar Dam near its maximum capacity. Officials confirmed that the water level at the dam has reached over 527 meters.
On Monday, approximately 1,10,000 cusecs of water was released from the dam, causing the Ravi River to swell dangerously near villages such as Makhanpur, Pola, Taas, and Bahadurpur. The Ujh and Jalalia rivers also saw unprecedented flow, flooding several villages in Narot Jaimal Singh and Bamial blocks.
Minister Goyal noted that seven family members remained trapped in Village Taas of Pathankot. “Rescue operations are underway on a war footing,” he said. He added that rescue centers have been established at Kiri Khurd, Kathlour, Taragarh, Narot Jaimal Singh, and multiple other locations.
Army, NDRF, and Police Lead Rescue Efforts
The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Army units, and the Border Security Force (BSF) are working together with local police. Around 70 individuals were safely evacuated from Jagochak Tanda village in Gurdaspur on Monday morning.
In Pathankot, community kitchens have been set up at schools in Taragarh and Narot Jaimal Singh. Relief camps for displaced families have also been organized at Government Senior Secondary School Gahlari, Gurdwara Sri Tahli Sahib, and villages such as Marara and Bahmani.
Minister Goyal personally traveled by tractor to flood-hit Jhabkara village, where he distributed ration supplies to affected residents. He warned that additional inflows from mountain rivers could further raise water levels, urging villagers near riverbanks to remain cautious.
Chief Minister Monitors Situation
The Punjab Cabinet confirmed that Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann is monitoring the flood response in real time. He has directed ministers to stay in constant contact with district administrations and to coordinate relief work closely.
The Chief Minister also announced that compensation will be provided for flood-related damages and crop losses. Special girdawari surveys are being planned to assess agricultural destruction in the region.
Ministers urged residents not to believe rumors or circulate misinformation on social media. Instead, they called on citizens to cooperate with local administration teams and follow safety instructions.
With helicopters on standby and ground forces active across the districts, Punjab officials said relief operations will continue on a war footing until all affected families are safe.