Widespread Flooding Hits Punjab’s Agriculture and Villages
Punjab is reeling under one of its worst flood crises in recent decades, with massive agricultural and human losses reported across the state. According to Revenue, Rehabilitation and Disaster Management Minister Hardeep Singh Mundian, over 1,75,216 hectares of standing crops have been damaged, severely impacting farmers in 23 districts.
Districts such as Gurdaspur, Amritsar, Mansa, Ferozepur, and Fazilka are among the worst hit, accounting for the majority of crop devastation. Mundian said the magnitude of the losses underscores the gravity of the calamity that has engulfed much of Punjab.
The floods have affected 3,55,709 people, with over 20,000 evacuated from low-lying and severely impacted areas. Authorities have also confirmed the loss of 37 human lives, with three more reported missing.
Relief Camps and Rescue Operations Expand
To accommodate the displaced population, the Punjab government has set up 167 relief camps across the state. These shelters are spread across Barnala, Patiala, SBS Nagar, Fazilka, Jalandhar, Amritsar, Pathankot, Gurdaspur, Ferozepur, Hoshiarpur, Rupnagar, Kapurthala, Moga, Mansa, and Sangrur.
Currently, 5,304 people are housed in these camps. The largest numbers are reported in Fazilka (1,468), Hoshiarpur (1,041), Ferozepur (706), and Amritsar (371). Smaller camps across Barnala, Pathankot, Moga, Kapurthala, and Sangrur are also providing shelter.
Floodwaters have inundated 1,655 villages, leaving vast areas submerged. Gurdaspur tops the list with 324 affected villages, followed by Amritsar (190), Kapurthala (123), and Hoshiarpur (121). Other severely impacted regions include Mansa, Ferozepur, Pathankot, Fazilka, Sangrur, Tarn Taran, Jalandhar, and Patiala.
Crop Losses Push Farmers Into Crisis
Agriculture has borne the brunt of the disaster. Gurdaspur alone has reported crop losses over 40,169 hectares, while Mansa has suffered damage to 24,967 hectares. Other major losses include Amritsar (23,000 hectares), Fazilka (17,786), and Ferozepur (17,620).
Smaller yet significant damages have been reported from Kapurthala, Tarn Taran, Sangrur, Hoshiarpur, Pathankot, and Jalandhar. The impact extends even to regions with relatively less rainfall, including Bathinda, Rupnagar, SBS Nagar, and Ludhiana.
The devastation threatens the kharif season harvest, placing farmers under severe financial stress. Mundian noted that the state government is assessing losses and will coordinate relief packages to support affected families.
Human Toll and Rescue Efforts
The floods have claimed 37 lives across 12 districts, with Hoshiarpur reporting seven fatalities, followed by Pathankot (6) and Barnala (5). Amritsar and Ludhiana each recorded four deaths, while three were reported in Bathinda and Mansa. Single fatalities were confirmed in Gurdaspur, Patiala, Rupnagar, SAS Nagar, and Sangrur.
Rescue operations are being conducted at scale, with 22 NDRF teams deployed across affected districts. Four teams each are active in Amritsar and Gurdaspur, while Pathankot, Ferozepur, and Fazilka have three teams each. Additional support has been provided in Jalandhar, Bathinda, Rupnagar, and Kapurthala.
The Army, Air Force, and Navy have deployed multiple columns, including engineers, to assist in evacuations and restore critical infrastructure. Around 35 helicopters have been pressed into service to supply relief material and airlift stranded people.
The BSF has also joined operations in border districts like Gurdaspur. Additionally, the state has deployed 117 boats and a state helicopter to intensify efforts.
Government’s Response and Next Steps
The Punjab government has pledged continued support to affected families and farmers. Relief camps are being stocked with food, water, and medical supplies. Teams are monitoring flood levels and ensuring that evacuation plans remain ready for vulnerable zones.
Mundian stressed that the state will push for central assistance to rebuild affected areas and compensate farmers for crop losses. Immediate priorities include rehabilitation of displaced people, repairing damaged roads, and restoring drinking water supplies.
With more rain forecasts in some regions, authorities remain on high alert. Officials said the scale of this calamity demands coordinated efforts from both state and central agencies to ensure recovery.
Conclusion
The floods have left Punjab grappling with a dual crisis: the displacement of lakhs of residents and massive agricultural damage. As relief operations continue, the focus is on protecting lives, securing crops, and rebuilding livelihoods.
For Punjab’s farmers and flood-hit families, recovery will be long and difficult. However, coordinated rescue missions and government support may help ease the burden of this disaster.