Saturday, March 29, 2025
Punjab Flood Crisis Worsens, Red Alert Issued for Heavy Rain
Chandigarh, September 1, 2025 – Floods continue to wreak havoc across Punjab as heavy rainfall batters the state. Official figures reveal that 1,312 villages across nine districts are currently affected, with widespread damage to homes, roads, and farmlands.
The districts hit hardest include Fazilka, Ferozepur, Kapurthala, Pathankot, Tarn Taran, Hoshiarpur, Moga, Gurdaspur, and Barnala. Authorities have issued a red alert for heavy rainfall across Punjab today, warning that the situation could deteriorate further.
Continuous downpours in the hilly regions have led to rising water levels in the Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej rivers. In Zirakpur, the swelling Ghaggar river triggered an alert in Patiala. Meanwhile, streets in Jalandhar and Ludhiana are submerged, disrupting traffic and local transport.
In Amritsar’s Ghoniwala village, a breach in the Dhussi dike along the Ravi river caused flooding across nearly 15 kilometers of land. Water has reached Ajnala town, prompting the administration to remain on high alert.
The floods have also claimed lives. In Fazilka’s Abohar, a 60-year-old woman, Sharda Devi, died after the roof of her mud house collapsed. In Mansa, a 58-year-old farmer, Jagjeevan Singh, lost his life in a similar incident, while in Sangrur, 60-year-old Karamjit Kaur also died when her house collapsed under heavy rain.
The state government has deployed 11 teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) along with army personnel in flood-hit districts. The army is actively assisting in Pathankot, Hoshiarpur, and Rupnagar. In Amritsar, NDRF personnel rescued a young man and an elderly woman trapped in rising floodwaters.
Punjabi singer and actress Sunanda Sharma personally visited Nanakpura village in Ajnala, distributing food supplies and cattle fodder using a tractor to reach stranded families. Bollywood actor Sanjay Dutt also expressed concern over the worsening flood situation in Punjab.
Schools Closed: All schools in Punjab will remain shut until September 3.
Exams Postponed: The Punjab School Education Board has postponed the practical examinations for classes 10 and 12 until further notice.
Appeal for Central Aid: Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging the release of ₹60,000 crore in pending funds to accelerate relief operations.
Weather Alert: The Meteorological Department has issued a red alert for Punjab, Haryana, and Jammu & Kashmir, warning of thunderstorms and heavy rainfall that could intensify flooding.
Authorities have urged residents in affected areas to remain indoors, follow government advisories, and prioritize safety as relief efforts continue.
