Deadly Floods Devastate Punjab, India
DELHI – Catastrophic floods have wreaked havoc in the northern Indian state of Punjab, claiming the lives of at least 30 individuals and affecting over 354,000 residents.
The entire state’s 23 districts have been declared flood-hit as rivers and reservoirs swell dangerously.
Approximately 20,000 individuals have been evacuated from flood-prone regions, with numerous relief camps established to provide shelter and essential services to those in need.
Punjab’s Chief Minister, Bhagwant Mann, has made a heartfelt plea for national solidarity, describing these floods as the worst the state has witnessed since 1988.
Known as the “food basket” of India, Punjab plays a vital role in agricultural production, particularly of staples like wheat and rice.
The government reports extensive crop damage on 148,000 hectares of submerged agricultural land, raising concerns for the rural livelihoods of a quarter of Punjab’s 30 million inhabitants.
Torrential downpours have caused alarming water levels in the Sutlej, Beas, and Ravi rivers, endangering hundreds of low-lying areas. Many reservoirs are on the brink of overflowing.
Residents along the Sutlej river are on high alert, monitoring water levels vigilantly to ensure their safety.
Jasveer Singh, a resident of Sabra village, shared with BBC Punjabi, “The water is high. The dam is seeping… Wherever it breaks, we fix it with sacks.”
Multiple disaster response teams, including the Indian army, airforce, and navy, are engaged in rescue operations. Over 35 helicopters and more than 100 boats have been deployed.
Chief Minister Mann conducted a boat tour of the flood-ravaged Ferozepur district, highlighting the severity of the situation and requesting federal funds to address the crisis.
India’s meteorological agency attributes the floods to the convergence of monsoon currents and weather systems like westerly disturbances, resulting in unusually heavy rains across northern India.
Meanwhile, across the border in Pakistan’s Punjab province, floods have affected approximately two million individuals over recent weeks. – BBC
