Chandigarh: Punjab is reeling under its most severe floods in decades, with official figures confirming 23 deaths and more than 1,000 villages inundated across the state. Over 16,000 residents have been rescued so far, even as the government intensifies relief and rehabilitation efforts.
According to district reports, Pathankot accounted for the highest toll with eight fatalities, followed by Hoshiarpur with seven. Rupnagar and Barnala each reported three deaths, while two were confirmed in Gurdaspur. Many victims lost their lives when homes collapsed or were swept away by surging waters from the Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej rivers.
Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann convened an emergency review with senior officials to monitor the situation in eight heavily affected districts, including Gurdaspur, Pathankot, Amritsar, Tarn Taran, Kapurthala, Hoshiarpur, Ferozepur, and Fazilka. A high-powered committee has been tasked with coordinating operations alongside the Army, Air Force, BSF, and NDRF teams.
Officials said the heaviest damage was linked to a record discharge of over 14 lakh cusecs in the Ravi. While water levels in parts of Majha and Doaba have begun receding, fresh alerts have been sounded in Patiala and Sangrur after heavy overnight rain swelled the Ghaggar, Tangri, and Markanda rivers.
In Gurdaspur alone, 323 villages remain under water, with the Ravi still flowing at more than four lakh cusecs. Pathankot, too, continues to face high-risk conditions, while in Amritsar, water that had receded in Ramdas shifted toward Ajnala, affecting fresh areas.
Social Security Minister Dr. Baljit Kaur said special measures are being taken to safeguard senior citizens, children, and women, while health teams are deployed to contain any outbreak of waterborne diseases.
Rescue and pumping operations are ongoing, but officials warned that with water levels fluctuating across major rivers, Punjab’s flood crisis is far from over.
