The destruction and displacement undergone by thousands of families in Punjab has prompted the state and federal agencies to coordinate their response and speed up relief efforts.
Punjab is currently experiencing one of its most severe flood disasters in decades. This crisis has been caused by the overflowing of the Sutlej, Beas, and Ravi rivers, combined with torrential rainfall in Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, and parts of Punjab. According to the state government, the floods have affected 1,902 villages across 23 districts, impacting 3.84 lakh people. So far, 20,972 people have been evacuated. Crops on 1.71 lakh hectares have been destroyed.
The death toll has risen to 43 with the highest casualties reported in Pathankot (six), Barnala and Amritsar (five each) and Ludhiana and Bathinda (four each). Three presons are missing in Pathankot.
An embankment in Ludhiana district's eastern region was severely strained by the Sutlej river's high water flow, prompting the district administration of Ludhiana to declare a high alert. Authorities have warned that if the embankment—referred to locally as the "bundh"—weakens further, several villages are at risk of flooding. The villages identified as being at risk are Sasrali, Boont, Rawat, Hawas, Seera, Boothgarh, Mangli Tanda, Dheri, Khawajke, Khassi Khurd, Mangli Kadar, Mattewara, Mangat and Meharban.
Residents living in low-lying and single-storey houses have been advised to temporarily relocate to safer areas. Relief centres have been established at Satsang Ghars along Rahon (Ghonsgarh), Chandigarh and Tibba roads as well as at Kailash Nagar, Khassi Kalan, Bhukhri and various schools and mandis in Mattewara.
In an advisory, the district administration urged residents to prioritise moving the elderly, children and sick to safety and stay alert while cooperating with rescue teams.
Helpline numbers have been made available to the public:
- Flood Control Room: 0161-2433100
- Emergency Helpline: 112
A district official stated, "People’s cooperation is vital. Protecting lives is our top priority."
Also Read: Punjab floods: Rivers overflow, thousands displaced, 37 dead
To guarantee direct coordination and efficient relief operations, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has sent gazetted officers to each village affected by flooding. Mann has made it clear that those in need will receive prompt solutions. A special ‘girdawari’ (survey of losses) has been ordered to assess the damages to crops, property, and infrastructure.
The Bhakra Dam has neared its maximum capacity of 1,680 feet. On Thursday, 85,000 cusecs of water was released, which prompted the Rupnagar and Patiala district administrations to issue evacuation alerts for low-lying areas situated near the Sutlej and Ghaggar rivers.
Also Read: Parliament panel links elevated roads to Punjab floods
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