Chandigarh: Punjab is reeling under one of its worst flood crises in recent years, with the death toll climbing to 37. Officials confirmed that seven more people lost their lives on Wednesday as torrential rains and overflowing rivers continued to batter the state.
According to disaster management authorities, nearly 3.55 lakh people have been directly affected. Vast stretches of farmland—around 175,216 hectares of standing crops—are under water, raising fears of huge losses for farmers just ahead of the harvest season.
The state government has declared Punjab a disaster-hit state, placing all key departments on emergency duty. Public Works, Water Resources, Power, and Health teams are working around the clock to restore connectivity, electricity, and essential supplies. Telecom providers have been instructed to ensure stable networks so that rescue operations remain uninterrupted.
The situation worsened after heavy inflows into the Bhakra Dam, which has reached close to its danger mark. Authorities were forced to release more than 80,000 cusecs of water into the Sutlej River, causing fresh flooding in low-lying areas of Ferozepur and Fazilka. Several villages have been cut off, prompting large-scale evacuations.
With crops destroyed, villages submerged, and thousands displaced, Punjab now faces a dual challenge: immediate relief for flood victims and long-term measures to strengthen flood management. Officials said assessments are ongoing to finalize compensation packages for affected families and farmers.
