Punjab, India’s breadbasket, is once again reeling under one of its worst natural calamities in recent memory. Torrential monsoon rains, swollen rivers, and dam overflows have combined to submerge vast swathes of the state, evoking painful memories of the catastrophic floods of 1988. With over 30 lives lost, 3.5 lakh residents affected, and nearly 3 lakh acres of farmland submerged, the 2025 floods are a stark reminder that Punjab’s vulnerabilities remain unresolved despite decades of recurring devastation.

A State Submerged: The Current Crisis

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued red alerts for eight districts, including Pathankot, Hoshiarpur, Amritsar, Kapurthala, Nawanshahr, Jalandhar, Rupnagar, Fatehgarh Sahib, and Ludhiana. Other regions, including Chandigarh, are under orange alerts. Heavy rainfall, coupled with controlled but massive releases from Bhakra, Pong, and Ranjit Sagar dams, has worsened the flooding.

According to official figures, 23 districts are affected, 1,400 villages are inundated, and over 3.5 lakh people are displaced. Pathankot has recorded the highest fatalities, while Gurdaspur tops the list of most submerged villages with 324 underwater. Amritsar and Hoshiarpur follow closely, reporting 135 and 119 flooded villages, respectively.

The state has mobilised 23 NDRF teams, the Army, Air Force, Navy, BSF, 114 boats, and helicopters. Nearly 20,000 people have been evacuated, with around 16,000 rescued and housed in 174 relief camps—74 of which remain active. In Ferozepur alone, the highest number of camps is operational. 818 health teams are deployed, while veterinary aid is being provided to protect livestock.

Despite these efforts, rivers like the Sutlej, Beas, and Ravi remain swollen. The Ravi has already surpassed its infamous 1988 levels, and the Pong dam continues to release water above the danger mark.

The Economic Toll: Punjab’s Agrarian Backbone in Crisis

Floodwaters have ravaged nearly 1.5 lakh hectares of farmland, devastating Punjab’s crucial paddy crop. Agriculture remains the cornerstone of the state’s economy, and this loss is a body blow to its farmers, already burdened by debts and a lack of crop insurance. Livestock, too, has suffered, cutting deeper into rural livelihoods.

A special girdawari (crop damage survey) is underway, but preliminary reports suggest losses running into thousands of crores. Experts warn that the Kharif season is under severe threat, raising concerns about food security beyond Punjab’s borders.

Political Response and Pleas for Aid

Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has demanded the release of Rs 60,000 crore in pending dues from the Centre, calling it the state’s “right, not charity.” Touring submerged villages in Ferozepur, Mann emphasised that Punjab cannot rebuild without substantial federal support.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, after returning from foreign visits, held a telephonic conversation with Mann and assured all possible help. Meanwhile, opposition leader Rahul Gandhi has pressed the Centre for a special relief package for Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Jammu & Kashmir. The AAP government in Delhi has already dispatched relief materials, while Governor Gulab Chand Kataria has been visiting affected districts.

Punjab Floods in Historical Perspective

The 2025 disaster is being described as the worst flood since 1988, but it is not an isolated tragedy. Punjab has endured a long history of recurring floods, each time exposing the same systemic weaknesses.

• 1955 Floods: One of the earliest in independent Punjab, caused by monsoon rains and poor drainage, devastating the Malwa region.

• 1978 Floods: Triggered by excess releases from Bhakra and Pong dams, flooding the Sutlej and Beas belts, and extending destruction to Patiala and Sangrur.

• 1988 Floods: The deadliest, killing over 600 people and affecting 34 lakh residents. Nearly 9,000 villages were inundated, with 2,500 completely submerged.

• 1993 Floods: Landslides and heavy monsoon rain caused rivers to overflow, killing over 300 people and damaging 12 lakh acres of crops.

• 2008 Flash Floods: Sudden releases from upstream dams caused devastation along the Sutlej and Beas.

• 2019 Floods: Declared a “natural calamity” by the state; over 300 villages submerged, with damages pegged at Rs 1,200 crore.

• 2023 Floods: At least 38 deaths and losses exceeding Rs 1,300 crore. Experts pointed to climate change and poor drainage infrastructure as key causes.

1988 Redux: Are We Repeating Mistakes?

Experts argue that while floods are a natural phenomenon, the scale of devastation is largely man-made. Poor maintenance of embankments, uncleaned drains, encroachment on floodplains, illegal mining, deforestation, and unplanned constructions have reduced Punjab’s resilience.

The Punjab Remote Sensing Centre’s comparative study of 1988 and 1993 floods concluded that breaches in embankments and canals, coupled with inadequate drainage, magnified the disasters. The Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) attributed the 2023 floods to climate change, with Himachal Pradesh recording rainfall 436% above normal. Deforestation and concretisation in upstream states like Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir have worsened runoff.

Dr. Gurdev Singh Hira, retired water and soil sciences expert, summed it up: “Floods are not man-made, but the damage is aggravated due to man’s actions and inactions.”

#WATCH | Ferozepur, Punjab: Repair work being undertaken by the Indian Army and locals at the Habib Ke Bandh embankment. Water level in dams has risen following heavy rainfall in the state. pic.twitter.com/dk47tBw4fl— ANI (@ANI) September 3, 2025

Why Punjab Floods Repeatedly

Several structural issues have locked Punjab into a cycle of recurring floods:

• Dependence on Rivers: Punjab’s flat terrain and river network (Sutlej, Beas, Ravi, and Ghaggar) make it highly vulnerable.

• Climate Change: Erratic monsoons, intense rain spells, and global warming have increased flood frequency.

• Poor Drainage: Encroachments, blocked natural watercourses, and insufficient stormwater management systems worsen waterlogging.

• Dam Releases: Sudden discharges from Bhakra, Pong, and Ranjit Sagar during monsoon peaks aggravate downstream flooding.

• Weak Infrastructure: Poorly maintained dhussi bandhs, canals, and embankments routinely fail under stress.

  #WATCH | Punjab: Several parts of the state reel under flooding following heavy rainfall. Visuals from Gaggoo Mahal village in Ajnala, Amritsar; people are wading through water as the roads are flooded. pic.twitter.com/lLVdyfOCc2— ANI (@ANI) September 3, 2025

Rainfall in 2025: Record-Breaking Extremes

Punjab recorded 253.7 mm of rainfall in August 2025, 74% above normal—the highest in 25 years. Districts like Pathankot (944.2 mm), Gurdaspur (577.5 mm), and Tarn Taran (208 mm) received rainfall far above average.

Northwest India as a whole recorded 265 mm rainfall in August, the highest since 2001, and the 13th highest since 1901. By August 30, Punjab had already surpassed its seasonal monsoon average of 440 mm.

Respected Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji, @narendramodi 🙏
I humbly request you to kindly take note of the grave situation unfolding in Punjab due to heavy floods. Many villages are severely affected, and countless farmers (kisans) are suffering immense losses as their… pic.twitter.com/mQXFHxH9os— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) August 31, 2025

Human Stories Amid the Deluge

In Ferozepur, villagers described fleeing their flooded homes with livestock in tow. Relief camps provide food and shelter, but uncertainty looms over livelihoods. “Our village is heavily flooded. Some people are still there, some have come here, while others are in camps set up elsewhere. Our livestock are here, and we are managing their food,” one resident said.

Such stories underscore the resilience of communities but also highlight the gaps in preparedness. With schools and colleges shut until September 3 and major infrastructure cut off, recovery will be slow and painful.

Lessons Unlearnt, Warnings Ignored

Despite repeated disasters, Punjab has failed to implement long-term flood management strategies. The IMD report of 1988 had already emphasised the need for better embankments, drainage, and disaster preparedness. The PRSC study in 1993 reiterated the same, yet three decades later, encroachments, weak infrastructure, and poor planning remain.

The cycle of neglect continues: funds are demanded and released after every disaster, but preventive measures remain underfunded. With climate change intensifying rain extremes, Punjab risks repeating its tragic history.

#WATCH | Ferozepur, Punjab: Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann got emotional while interacting with the flood-affected people of the district.

Source: PRO AAP pic.twitter.com/sutTr0tTOx— ANI (@ANI) September 2, 2025

The Way Forward

If Punjab is to break free from this cycle, urgent reforms are non-negotiable:

• Strengthen Infrastructure: Repair and upgrade embankments, dhussi bandhs, and drainage systems.

• Restore Floodplains: Remove encroachments and revive natural waterways.

• Climate Adaptation: Invest in climate-resilient farming, water harvesting, and afforestation.

• Policy Integration: Coordinate between states like Himachal, J&K, and Haryana on dam releases and flood forecasting.

• Farmer Protection: Introduce comprehensive crop insurance and relief systems.

• Community Preparedness: Strengthen local disaster management committees and equip them with resources.

  “For the safety of people, Tarn Taran Police distributed ‘life jackets and raincoats” at Village Marar, Harike.#PunjabPoliceWithYou #FloodReliefPunjab #TogetherWeRise #RICN #HeroesInUniform #PunjabFloods #RescueOperations pic.twitter.com/urxeO9vE1J— Tarn Taran Police (@TarnTaranPolice) September 2, 2025

Punjab at a Crossroads

The Punjab floods of 2025 are not just another natural disaster; they are a mirror reflecting decades of negligence, climate challenges, and governance failures. The crisis is both a humanitarian emergency and a warning bell for the future.

As Chief Minister Mann rightly noted, Punjab is not asking for charity but for its due. However, unless both state and central governments go beyond short-term relief and invest in structural reforms, Punjab will continue to suffer floods as a recurring curse.

For the farmers who have lost their fields, the children studying in flooded schools, and the families huddled in relief camps, the question is simple: Will Punjab ever learn from its past?

With inputs from agencies

Image Source: Multiple agencies

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