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Punjab floods : Punjab is facing its worst floods in decades, leading the state government on Wednesday to officially declare it a disaster-hit region.
Punjab floods : Chief Secretary K.A.P. Sinha, heading the State Executive Committee (SEC) under the Disaster Management Act, 2025, empowered district magistrates to invoke Section 34 of the Act to deal with emergency situations. So far, at least 30 people have lost their lives in rain and flood-related incidents.
All District Disaster Management Authorities (DDMAs) have been instructed to act swiftly in delivering relief to the affected people. Departments have been ordered to strictly perform their emergency roles, ensuring round-the-clock availability of personnel. Key agencies such as the Public Works Department (PWD), Water Resources Department, and Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) are working urgently to restore essential services, while telecom providers have been told to maintain uninterrupted communication networks.
Over 1,400 villages submerged
As per official records, floods have damaged more than 1,400 villages across 23 districts. District commissioners have been granted powers to independently issue orders under Section 34 of the Disaster Management Act to manage the crisis.
Educational institutions closed
With the flood situation worsening, Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains announced the closure of all schools, colleges, and universities until September 7, extending the earlier order of September 3. He urged citizens to strictly adhere to district administration advisories.
Torrential rains compound misery
Heavy rainfall continues to worsen conditions. Between Tuesday and Wednesday morning, Amritsar recorded 27.6 mm rain, Ludhiana 29.8 mm, Patiala 9.2 mm, Pathankot 41.2 mm, Gurdaspur 94.7 mm, and Mohali 55.5 mm. Authorities in Ropar warned residents of Sutlej-side villages about possible flooding due to massive water release from Bhakra Dam, which reached 1,677.84 feet—just below its maximum limit of 1,680 feet.
Flood alerts have been issued in several villages including Harsa Bela, Bela Ramgarh, Bela Dhiani (Upper and Lower), Sensowal, Elgra, Bela Shiv Singh, Bhalan, Bhanam, Singhpura, Palasi, Taraf Majara, and Majari.
Agriculture and livestock hit hard
Nearly 3.75 lakh acres of farmland—mainly paddy fields ready for harvest—have been ruined, causing massive crop losses and damaging rural livelihoods. Livestock deaths have also been reported, severely impacting households dependent on animal husbandry and dairy farming.
Dams at critical levels
Water levels at major dams have reached alarming levels: Bhakra Dam at 1,677.84 feet (danger level 1,680 feet), Pong Dam at 1,393 feet (above its 1,390 feet danger mark). Meanwhile, high flood levels have been reported in the Sutlej River at Harike and Hussainiwala, raising fears of further deterioration in the flood situation.