SRINAGAR: Punjab is currently reeling from its most severe flooding in almost 40 years, with over 1,000 villages submerged and more than 61,000 hectares of agricultural land left underwater, according to multiple media reports.
The deluge, reminiscent of the catastrophic floods of 1988, has caused widespread devastation across the northern state. Crops have been destroyed, homes washed away, and thousands of residents displaced as authorities scramble to provide relief, reports The Hindu.
Unprecedented monsoon rains, coupled with excess water release from major dams including Bhakra and Pong, have been identified as the primary causes of the disaster. Rivers such as the Beas and Sutlej have breached their banks, overwhelming nearby low-lying areas.
Rescue operations are ongoing, with the Army, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and local officials coordinating evacuation efforts. Relief camps have been set up, and ration kits are being distributed as part of the state’s emergency response.
Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, as per The Tribune, has ordered a special damage assessment (girdawari) and promised full compensation to those affected. Meanwhile, calls for urgent central assistance have been raised as the scale of the disaster continues to unfold.
