Flood Situation Worsens Across Punjab
Chandigarh: Punjab’s flood crisis has deepened further, with more villages, families, and farmlands coming under water in the past 24 hours. According to Revenue, Rehabilitation, and Disaster Management Minister Hardeep Singh Mundian, 33 additional villages were impacted, taking the total tally to 2,097 affected villages across 22 districts.
The minister confirmed that 3,88,092 people have been affected so far. One more life was lost in Ludhiana, raising the overall death toll to 52 across 15 districts. Additionally, three people remain missing in Pathankot.
Crop damage also surged, with the affected area now touching 1,91,926 hectares, up from 1.84 lakh hectares a day earlier. The worst-hit districts include Gurdaspur, Amritsar, Fazilka, and Kapurthala.
Over 23,000 Evacuated, Camps Shelter 5,500 People
In a major evacuation drive, rescue teams have so far shifted 23,206 people to safety. Within the past 24 hours alone, 191 more people were rescued from submerged areas.
The largest evacuations were reported in:
- Gurdaspur: 5,581
- Fazilka: 4,254
- Ferozepur: 4,012
- Amritsar: 3,260
- Hoshiarpur: 1,616
- Kapurthala: 1,428
- Pathankot: 1,139
Other districts like Barnala, Jalandhar, Mansa, Moga, Rupnagar, and Tarn Taran also reported smaller evacuations.
Currently, 119 relief camps are operational across the state, sheltering 5,521 people. Fazilka leads with 14 camps housing 2,946 people, followed by Barnala with 43 camps hosting 638 people and Hoshiarpur with 921 residents across four camps.
Ludhiana, Amritsar, Ferozepur, Moga, and other districts also have functioning camps, providing food, medical care, and temporary shelter to displaced families.
Agriculture Suffers Massive Setback
Agriculture remains one of the worst-hit sectors in Punjab’s ongoing flood crisis. The total crop loss has risen to 1.92 lakh hectares across 18 districts, devastating farmers across the state.
- Gurdaspur tops the list with 40,169 hectares damaged.
- Amritsar follows with 27,154 hectares.
- Fazilka and Kapurthala lost 19,037 and 17,574 hectares respectively.
- Patiala and Ferozepur each reported damage exceeding 17,000 hectares.
Smaller yet significant losses were reported in Moga, Rupnagar, Bathinda, and SBS Nagar. These figures underline the long-term economic challenges for farmers already battling crop recovery from earlier weather disruptions.
Villages and Population Impact
The total 2,097 villages affected highlight the scale of the calamity. Gurdaspur remains the worst-hit, with 329 villages under water, followed by Hoshiarpur (208), Amritsar (196), and Kapurthala (145).
Population-wise, Gurdaspur accounts for the highest number, with 1.45 lakh people impacted, while Amritsar follows with 1.36 lakh people. Other heavily affected districts include Ferozepur (38,614), Fazilka (25,037), and Pathankot (15,503).
Smaller districts like Barnala, Sangrur, and Rupnagar have also reported notable impacts, underscoring the widespread nature of the floods.
Massive Rescue Operations Underway
The Punjab Government, in coordination with national agencies, continues large-scale rescue and relief operations.
- 18 NDRF teams and 2 SDRF teams are deployed in the worst-hit zones.
- 21 Army columns, two sections, and one Engineer Task Force are engaged in relief.
- 30 helicopters from the Indian Air Force and Army are assisting with aerial rescues.
- The Border Security Force (BSF) remains active in Ferozepur, where villages along the border are submerged.
- 178 boats are being used for evacuations and supply transport.
Mundian stressed that the state remains committed to providing safety and relief to every affected family. He said the government is closely monitoring the situation and coordinating with central agencies to ensure quick response.
Punjab Battles to Restore Normalcy
Despite extensive damage, authorities are focused on both immediate rescue and long-term rehabilitation. Relief camps are distributing food, clean water, and medical aid, while compensation assessments for farmers are underway.
Officials said restoring road connectivity, power supply, and essential services remains a top priority. Moreover, the government is working to prevent disease outbreaks in affected areas through health interventions.
The minister appealed for patience and solidarity, emphasizing that the government, armed forces, and relief teams are working round-the-clock to bring relief and restore stability in the flood-ravaged districts.