TV
Punjab is reeling under one of its worst flood disasters in decades, as swollen rivers and relentless rains have claimed 29 lives and disrupted the lives of more than 2.56 lakh people across the state in just one month. Officials confirm that rescue operations are ongoing, with thousands evacuated to safer grounds.
Widespread Devastation Across 12 Districts
Since August 1st, twelve out of Punjab’s 23 districts have been battered by floods triggered by the swollen Sutlej, Beas, and Ravi rivers, along with seasonal rivulets overflowing due to heavy rainfall in their catchment areas in Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir. Pathankot has been the worst-hit district, recording six deaths, while Amritsar, Barnala, Hoshiarpur, Ludhiana, Mansa, and Rupnagar reported three deaths each.
Massive Rescue Operations
Authorities have so far evacuated 15,688 people to safer locations. Gurdaspur leads the rescue numbers with 5,549 people saved, followed by Ferozepur (3,321), Fazilka (2,049), and Pathankot (1,139). Villages submerged across districts include 321 in Gurdaspur, 88 in Amritsar, and 82 in Pathankot, with over 1,044 villages impacted state-wide.
Agriculture and Livestock Hit Hard
Floodwaters have wreaked havoc on Punjab’s farmlands, impacting 96,061 hectares of agricultural land, while reports of significant livestock losses continue to emerge. Officials say exact figures for losses in agriculture and infrastructure will be determined once the waters recede.
Relief Efforts in Full Swing
The NDRF, SDRF, Army, and Punjab Police are working around the clock to provide relief. Twenty NDRF teams have been deployed across the worst-affected districts, including Pathankot, Gurdaspur, Amritsar, Ferozepur, Fazilka, and Bathinda, to assist with rescue and rehabilitation.
State officials have assured that every possible step is being taken to safeguard lives and restore normalcy in the flood-hit regions.
