37 dead, over 3.5 lakh affected as Punjab battles worst floods since 1988

Punjab is reeling under its worst floods in decades, with 37 lives lost and over 3.5 lakh residents affected across all 23 districts. The situation remains grim as rivers including the Sutlej, Beas, and Ravi, along with seasonal rivulets swollen by heavy rains in Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir.

Villages Submerged, Farmland Destroyed

Officials report that 1,655 villages have been impacted, with over 1.48 lakh hectares of standing crops destroyed. Many farmers have lost livestock, while homes have been damaged or completely washed away. In some regions, water levels have risen to 8–10 feet, forcing locals to rely on boats for movement.

Districts Hit the Hardest

The worst-affected areas include Gurdaspur, Pathankot, Fazilka, Kapurthala, Tarn Taran, Ferozepur, Hoshiarpur, and Amritsar. Relief camps have been set up, but many villagers prefer staying close to their livestock, seeking shelter on rooftops and raised platforms.

Relief Efforts in Full Swing

Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann visited flood-hit Ferozepur, announcing a special girdawari (damage assessment survey) to ensure proper compensation. “Punjab has always stood with the nation; now the country must stand with us,” he urged.

AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal is scheduled to visit on Thursday to review relief operations, while leaders like Manish Sisodia and Raghav Chadha have already extended support, with Chadha allocating ₹3.25 crore for relief work.

Support and Vigilance

Celebrities like Sonu Sood, Diljit Dosanjh, Gippy Grewal, Karan Aujla, Ammy Virk, and Ranjit Bawa have also pledged aid. Schools, colleges, and universities remain closed till September 7 as rescue teams, NGOs, and Sikh organizations continue relief and evacuation operations.