Punjab is facing its worst floods in nearly 40 years. Heavy rains in Himachal and J&K, along with water released from dams, have swollen the Sutlej, Beas, and Ravi rivers. The result — over 1,900 villages are submerged and more than 3.8 lakh people are affected. Rescue operations are in full swing, with the Army, NDRF, BSF, and even drones helping save lives.
So far, 43 people have lost their lives and farmland has been destroyed on a massive scale. More than 2.5 lakh acres of crops—mainly rice, cotton, and sugarcane—are gone. Gurdaspur is the worst hit district, where 1.4 lakh people are struggling, and over 40,000 hectares of farmland are underwater. Schools and colleges across Punjab have been shut till September 7 to ensure safety.
The floods are being blamed not just on rainfall but also on illegal mining, deforestation, and poor river management. Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said illegal mining has weakened river embankments, making the situation worse. Many experts are comparing this disaster to the 1988 Punjab floods, a reminder that climate change is making extreme weather more frequent.
But amidst the tragedy, relief efforts are giving hope. ⭐ Actor Akshay Kumar has donated ₹5 crore, calling it his “sewa” to the people. Governor Banwarilal Purohit flagged off nine trucks loaded with food, blankets, tents, and fodder for animals. Local NGOs and volunteers are also stepping up, providing medicines, clean water, and shelter.
👉 The fight is far from over, but Punjab is showing resilience once again. For thousands of families who lost everything, the coming weeks will be about rebuilding lives, crops, and homes.
