Punjab Reels Under Worst Floods in Decades: 30 Dead, Over 350,000 Affected as State Declares All 23 Districts Disaster-Hit
Chandigarh (The Uttam Hindu): Punjab is in the grip of its worst flood disaster in decades, forcing the state government to declare all 23 districts flood-affected. The calamity has already claimed 30 lives and left over 3.5 lakh people devastated, triggering an unprecedented humanitarian crisis.
The situation turned grave as the Sutlej, Beas, and Ravi rivers swelled beyond danger levels, while reservoirs of major dams hit full capacity. Authorities have issued high alerts across multiple districts, warning of further inundation.
In a show of ground-level assessment, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and Governor Gulab Chand Kataria visited the worst-hit regions. CM Mann toured villages in Ferozepur by boat to inspect the devastation firsthand, while the Governor visited heavily affected areas in Ferozepur and Tarn Taran.
Speaking after his visit, CM Mann expressed anguish over the “meager compensation” norms for natural disasters. He demanded that the Central Government revise relief standards and expedite aid. Reiterating Punjab’s pending claim of ₹60,000 crore in central funds, Mann said:
“We are not begging, we are demanding our rightful share during this hour of crisis.”
With rivers overflowing, homes submerged, and livelihoods destroyed, Punjab’s flood emergency is being described as the most severe in decades, raising urgent questions about climate resilience, dam management, and Centre–State coordination.