The Punjab government on Tuesday declared all 23 districts of the state flood-hit after heavy rainfall and overflowing rivers left 30 people dead and more than 3.5 lakh residents affected. Officials said Pathankot recorded the highest number of fatalities at six, followed by Ludhiana with four, while three people remain missing in Pathankot.
The deluge has submerged 1,48,590 hectares of crops, causing extensive agricultural damage. Gurdaspur is the worst-hit district with 324 affected villages, followed by Amritsar with 135 villages and Hoshiarpur with 119. Locals in Sultanpur Lodhi and Jalandhar were seen moving belongings on boats through inundated streets.
According to the government, 19,597 people have been evacuated so far. Gurdaspur accounted for the largest number with 5,581 evacuations, followed by Ferozepur (3,432) and Amritsar (2,734). A total of 174 relief camps have been set up, with 74 currently active.
NDRF, Armed Forces Deployed; Schools Shut Till September 7
The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has deployed 23 teams across Punjab, with six teams in Gurdaspur and Amritsar, and three each in Ferozepur and Fazilka. The Indian Air Force, Navy and Army have also been mobilised with 12 columns on ground, eight on standby, and between 30 to 35 helicopters assisting in rescue and relief operations.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued red alert warnings in several districts, including Kapurthala, Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Barnala and Sangrur, while parts of Haryana also remain under warning.
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Punjab Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains announced that all schools, colleges and universities in the state will remain closed till September 7 due to the flood situation. “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,” he posted on X.
CM Seeks Flood Aid, Kejriwal to Visit Punjab
Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, who visited flood-affected villages in Ferozepur, demanded that the Centre revise what he termed “unrealistic and insufficient” disaster relief norms. He urged at least ₹50,000 per acre in compensation, saying, “Farmers receive meagre compensation per acre, which does not even cover their rising input costs. Given the devastating crop damage, at least ₹50,000 per acre should be provided.”
AAP said its national convenor Arvind Kejriwal will visit flood-hit areas of Punjab on Thursday with Mann to review relief work and meet affected families. Kejriwal noted that “every day, AAP leaders, MLAs, MPs, and common citizens from Delhi will carry trucks of relief supplies to Punjab.”
For many residents, the ongoing disaster has revived memories of the devastating 1988 floods, which claimed over 600 lives. “After decades, we are suffering this situation again. As per my observation, it is worse now,” said Gurnam Singh, a former sarpanch from Gurdaspur.
