Punjab is facing its worst floods in nearly four decades, at least 37 people have died, and over 3.5 lakh residents have been forced to relocate. 23 districts have been designated as flood-hit, and more than 1.4 lakh hectares of agricultural land are under water.
Rescue teams, the Army, and the Air Force are carrying out massive evacuation and relief operations. Experts warn that these floods could push Punjab’s food security crisis to dangerous levels, reminding many of the nightmare of 1988.
Punjab Floods: All 23 Districts Flood-Hit
The Punjab government has confirmed that all 23 districts are affected. Pathankot reported six deaths, followed by Ludhiana with four. Three people are missing in Pathankot. Officials said the worst-hit areas are Gurdaspur, Amritsar, and Hoshiarpur, where hundreds of villages remain submerged.
A total of 30 people have lost their lives in Punjab due to severe rains and floods in the state: Punjab Government pic.twitter.com/5l210MGp7t
— ANI (@ANI) September 2, 2025
Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has released Rs 71 crore for relief work and demanded larger financial support from the Centre. He urged the Union government to revise its “unrealistic and insufficient” disaster relief norms and provide at least ₹50,000 per acre of compensation.
ਅੱਜ ਜ਼ਿਲ੍ਹਾ ਫਿਰੋਜ਼ਪੁਰ ਦੇ ਪਿੰਡ ਗੱਟੀ ਰਾਜੋ ਕੇ ਵਿਖੇ ਕਿਸ਼ਤੀ ਰਾਹੀਂ ਹੜ੍ਹ ਪ੍ਰਭਾਵਿਤ ਇਲਾਕਿਆਂ ਦਾ ਦੌਰਾ ਕਰਕੇ ਸਥਿਤੀ ਦਾ ਜਾਇਜ਼ਾ ਲਿਆ। ਸਥਾਨਕ ਲੋਕਾਂ ਨਾਲ ਗੱਲਬਾਤ ਕਰਕੇ ਉਹਨਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਹੌਸਲਾ ਦਿੱਤਾ।
ਹੜ੍ਹਾਂ ਕਾਰਨ ਲੋਕਾਂ ਦੇ ਹਰ ਤਰ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੇ ਹੋਏ ਨੁਕਸਾਨ ਲਈ ਢੁਕਵਾਂ ਮੁਆਵਜ਼ਾ ਦਿੱਤਾ ਜਾਵੇਗਾ ਅਤੇ ਭਵਿੱਖ ‘ਚ ਅਜਿਹੀ ਸਥਿਤੀ ਨਾਲ ਨਜਿੱਠਣ… pic.twitter.com/rcmlMBK0M1
— Bhagwant Mann (@BhagwantMann) September 2, 2025
Agriculture Suffers Huge Losses
Punjab’s agriculture, the backbone of India’s food supply, has suffered massive damage. More than 1,48,000 hectares of crops, including paddy, are submerged. Gurdaspur alone has seen 324 villages flooded. Amritsar reported damage in 135 villages, while Hoshiarpur reported 119.
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Experts say repeated floods are putting Punjab’s farming sector under severe strain. If relief and rehabilitation are delayed, India’s food security could face serious challenges.
Evacuations & Relief Efforts
So far, over 19,000 people have been evacuated to safer areas. Gurdaspur had 5,581 evacuations, the most of any city. 74 of the 174 relief camps established by authorities are currently operational. Barnala, Amritsar, and Pathankot have the most camps running.
The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has deployed 23 teams across Punjab. Six teams are in Gurdaspur and Amritsar, while Ferozepur and Fazilka have three each. The Indian Air Force, Navy, and Army have joined the operations with 12 columns mobilised and 30–35 helicopters assisting.
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Schools & Colleges Shut Across Punjab
Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains announced that all schools and colleges in Punjab will stay closed till September 7. In Chandigarh, schools will also remain shut until September 7, while colleges will reopen on September 6.
As directed by Hon’ble CM Punjab Sh. Bhagwant Singh Mann Ji, in view of the flood situation, all Govt/Aided/Recognized & Private Schools, Colleges, Universities & Polytechnics across Punjab will remain closed till 7th Sept 2025.
Everyone is requested to strictly follow local…
— Harjot Singh Bains (@harjotbains) September 3, 2025
“As directed by Hon’ble CM Punjab Sh. Bhagwant Singh Mann Ji, in view of the flood situation, all Govt/Aided/Recognised & Private Schools, Colleges, Universities & Polytechnics across Punjab will remain closed till 7th Sept 2025. Everyone is requested to strictly follow the local administration’s guidelines,” Bains posted on X.
Political & National Support
AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal will visit flood-hit areas of Punjab on Thursday with CM Mann. Kejriwal said relief material from Delhi is already on its way. “Every day, AAP leaders, MLAs, MPs, and common citizens from Delhi will carry trucks of relief supplies to Punjab and serve the affected people.
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Many RWAs and traders are also extending their support at their own level in this tragedy. People from across the country are coming forward to help Punjab. Today, the entire nation stands with Punjab,” he said.
Ghost of 1988 Still Haunts Punjab
The current floods have revived painful memories of 1988, when torrential rains and dam water release killed over 600 people and displaced more than 34 lakh. While the scale of casualties today is smaller, the widespread destruction has again exposed Punjab’s vulnerability to floods.
Experts say that without urgent reforms in river management and drainage systems, the state could face such disasters again and again.
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