CHANDIGARH — Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit Punjab on Tuesday, September 9, to assess the severe flood situation that has claimed at least 48 lives and caused extensive damage across the state. The visit comes as the Indian Army, along with the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and other agencies, continue their rescue and relief operations on a “war footing.”
The floods, considered one of Punjab’s worst in decades, were caused by heavy rainfall in the catchment areas of the Sutlej, Beas, and Ravi rivers in Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir. This led to swollen rivers and an overflow of major dams.
Here are the latest updates on the situation in Punjab:
- Death Toll and Damage: Officials reported that the death toll has risen to 48, and over 1.76 lakh hectares of crops have been severely damaged.
- Relief Operations: The Indian Army has deployed dozens of columns to the affected areas, working alongside the NDRF, Border Security Force (BSF), Punjab Police, and district authorities. Local volunteers, aid organizations, and even celebrities have joined the efforts to assist displaced residents.
- Government Response: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, who was recently hospitalized for exhaustion, has been actively monitoring the rescue operations. The Prime Minister’s visit is a follow-up to the assessment by the state and central authorities.
- Dam and River Levels: While the water levels in the Pong and Bhakra dams have receded slightly, the situation remains critical. The water level in the Pong dam, built on the Beas river, dropped to 1,392.20 feet but remains above its upper limit of 1,390 feet.
- School Reopening: Punjab’s Education Minister, Harjot Bains, announced that all schools, colleges, and universities would reopen on September 8. However, government schools will resume classes on September 9, and individual schools affected by the floods can be closed at the discretion of their respective deputy commissioners.