CHANDIGARH: Punjab is grappling with one of its worst flood crises in recent years, with incessant monsoon rains causing rivers to swell and inundating 835 villages across the state. The deluge has led to the evacuation of nearly 6,600 people, as the administration and the Indian Army work around the clock to conduct rescue and relief operations.
Rising Waters and Widespread Displacement
A state-level flood control room has been established in Jalandhar to manage the crisis. According to Nodal Officer Himanshu Aggarwal, the floods have affected villages in at least 14 districts, with the highest number of impacted villages in Gurdaspur, followed by Kapurthala and Ferozepur.
The evacuation numbers reflect the severity of the crisis in certain districts. Among the thousands of evacuees, 2,200 people are from Gurdaspur and 2,007 are from Ferozepur. Other districts with significant evacuations include Pathankot (1,100), Hoshiarpur (1,052), and Kapurthala (220). All displaced residents have been shifted to 88 relief camps and other safer locations.
The situation is particularly critical in Kapurthala district, where the Beas River has swelled to “unprecedented levels,” prompting the district administration to order immediate evacuations from vulnerable villages.
Military Joins the Fight: Airdrops and Evacuations
The Indian Army and Air Force have launched a massive humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operation. A total of 28 Army columns, including specialized medical and communication teams, have been deployed to provide ground support and assist in the evacuation of stranded residents.
Army aviation assets, including Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH) and Cheetah helicopters, have carried out challenging rescue missions, pulling numerous civilians from rooftops and flooded areas. So far, the Army has evacuated 1,211 civilians, including 11 Punjab government officials and 180 police personnel. The Indian Air Force also rescued an additional 190 people and airdropped 6,750 kg of relief materials.
Calls for National Disaster Status
As the state battles the crisis, political pressure is mounting on the central government. Congress MLA Pargat Singh has urged the Centre to immediately declare the floods in Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, and Jammu and Kashmir a “national disaster” and provide a special financial package for the full compensation and rehabilitation of affected families, farmers, and livestock owners.
The government has urged all residents still trapped in flood-affected areas to contact the state control room for assistance at 0181-2240064.