Flood situation in Punjab grim as 2.5 lac acres of farmland damaged

 

Punjab is currently facing one of its worst floods in nearly four decades, surpassing the devastation of 1988. More than 1,400 villages across 23 districts have been submerged, leaving a trail of destruction in both rural and urban areas. The floods have affected nearly 3.54 million people, while over 2.5 lakh acres of farmland lie damaged and waterlogged. Tragically, the disaster has claimed at least 40 to 43 lives, with thousands displaced and struggling for survival.

Causes of the Floods

The crisis stems from a combination of natural and man-made factors. Exceptionally heavy monsoon rains in the Himalayan states of Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir caused the Sutlej, Beas, and Ravi rivers to overflow. Matters worsened with large water releases from the Bhakra, Pong, and Ranjit Sagar dams, which sent massive surges downstream. The Bhakra Dam in particular was pushed close to its maximum capacity, prompting urgent alerts and evacuation advisories in vulnerable regions.

Rescue and Relief Operations

Government and defense agencies have launched large-scale rescue operations across flood-hit districts. So far, around 20,000 people have been evacuated from inundated villages and towns. Teams from the NDRF, the Indian Army, the BSF, and local administrations are working round-the-clock to provide relief and relocate stranded families to safer grounds. Despite these efforts, rising waters continue to pose a serious challenge.

Community and Public Support

The disaster has drawn nationwide attention, prompting several individuals and organizations to step in. Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar has contributed ₹5 crore to relief funds, describing it as an act of service rather than charity. Popular Punjabi artist Diljit Dosanjh has also raised awareness, appealing for wider support. In a remarkable show of solidarity, former Indian hockey stars Rupinder Pal Singh, Gurwinder Singh Chandi, and Jugraj Singh have joined hands with rescue teams to assist people in need.

Political and Administrative Measures

The Central government has dispatched assessment teams, with the Union Agriculture Minister describing the situation as "serious." On the state’s side, AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal visited Sultanpur Lodhi, urging the Centre to show the same urgency in Punjab’s case as it did in providing aid abroad. He also pressed for fair compensation to farmers based on actual losses. Meanwhile, Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Cheema has appealed for swift Central aid as well as contributions from the public.

Demands for Accountability

The floods have also sparked political blame games and calls for accountability. Navjot Singh Sidhu has criticized both the Central and state governments for failing to anticipate and mitigate the disaster. Similarly, Congress leader Rana Gurjeet Singh has called for a judicial probe into dam management lapses and delays in desilting rivers and canals, demanding systemic reforms in water governance.

Agricultural and Food Security Concerns

Beyond immediate human suffering, the floods pose a grave threat to India’s food security. Nearly 3 lakh acres of paddy fields—a staple for Punjab’s agrarian economy—have been destroyed. This large-scale crop damage risks disrupting supplies to the Public Distribution System (PDS), which depends heavily on Punjab’s grain output, raising fears of a nationwide ripple effect.

Conclusion

The Punjab floods of 2025 have unleashed a humanitarian and agricultural crisis, prompting intense rescue operations, mass relief campaigns, political appeals, and sharp demands for accountability. As floodwaters continue to wreak havoc, the state’s recovery will hinge not only on immediate relief but also on long-term reforms in dam management, water infrastructure, and agricultural resilience.