The state of Punjab is grappling with severe flooding in what officials are calling one of the worst disasters to hit the region in decades. At least 29 lives have been lost, and over 256,000 people have been affected across 12 districts. The floods, caused by heavy monsoon rains in the upper catchment areas of Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir and exacerbated by the release of surplus water from dams, have inundated over 1,000 villages and submerged approximately 96,061 hectares of farmland.
In response to this crisis, Indian cricketer Shubman Gill, who hails from Punjab, has expressed his sorrow and solidarity with those affected. "Heartbroken to see my Punjab devastated by floods," Gill shared on social media. "Punjab will always be stronger than any adversity, and we'll rise up from this. My prayers are with all affected families. Standing strong with my people".
Former Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh has also stepped up to offer support. Singh announced he would provide 10 boats to assist in rescue operations in the flood-affected areas. He has urged others to come forward and support Punjab during this difficult time. "I have been to affected areas myself. It's a difficult time for all of our people in Punjab. We are helping each other," Harbhajan said. He also expressed gratitude to the various organizations involved in rescue efforts and appealed to Prime Minister Modi for assistance, emphasizing Punjab's crucial role as a food supplier for India.
The floods have impacted 1,044 villages across Punjab, with Gurdaspur being the worst-hit district, affecting nearly 145,000 people. Other severely affected districts include Amritsar, Ferozepur and Fazilka. The state government has established 129 relief camps, housing over 7,144 people, with Ferozepur accommodating the largest number of displaced individuals.
The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Army, Border Security Force (BSF), and local NGOs are conducting extensive rescue operations. Around 15,688 people have been evacuated to safer locations through the combined efforts of these agencies. Drones are being used to deliver essential supplies like medicines and food to remote areas, while amphibious vehicles are facilitating evacuations in certain districts.
The Punjab government has stated its commitment to providing immediate relief and is working to assess the full extent of the damage to infrastructure and property once the floodwaters recede. The Ministry of Home Affairs has formed Inter-Ministerial Central Teams to evaluate the damage in Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Jammu and Kashmir.
The current floods are considered the worst in nearly four decades, since 1988. The heavy rainfall has caused the Sutlej, Beas, and Ravi rivers, along with seasonal rivulets, to swell, with the Ravi River expanding to over ten times its original width in some areas.
