Punjab is reeling under one of its worst flood crises in decades, with the death toll climbing to 46 and over 22,854 residents rescued from submerged regions. The state government has officially declared Punjab a disaster-affected area, invoking emergency powers under the Disaster Management Act to expedite relief and rehabilitation efforts.
Unprecedented Deluge Submerges Nearly 2,000 Villages
Relentless monsoon rains have triggered the overflow of major rivers—Sutlej, Beas, and Ravi—flooding 23 districts and displacing lakhs. Border districts including Gurdaspur, Amritsar, and Fazilka are among the worst-hit. Gurdaspur alone accounts for over 1.45 lakh affected residents, followed closely by Amritsar with 1.35 lakh.
Agricultural Devastation and Livelihood Losses
The floods have decimated over 1.74 lakh hectares of standing crops, with Gurdaspur reporting more than 40,169 hectares of loss. The damage to homes, livestock, and local infrastructure remains under assessment, though early reports suggest widespread disruption to rural livelihoods.
Relief Operations in Full Swing
In response, the Punjab government has mobilized 24 teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), supported by the Indian Army, Air Force, and Border Security Force (BSF). Over 144 boats have been deployed for evacuations, and more than 200 relief camps have been established—139 of which are currently active, sheltering over 6,000 displaced individuals.
Appeal for Central Assistance and Civil Society Mobilization
The state has appealed to the central government for financial aid to compensate affected families and restore essential services. Meanwhile, NGOs and volunteer groups are providing food, medical supplies, and psychological support to flood victims, underscoring the role of civil society in disaster response.
Looking Ahead: Recovery and Resilience
While rainfall has begun to subside in some areas, the scale of destruction has prompted calls for long-term flood mitigation strategies, including river management, climate-resilient agriculture, and improved early warning systems. The declaration of disaster status is expected to unlock faster funding and administrative flexibility for recovery.
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