Between August 1 and September 2, Punjab lost 30 lives to the ongoing floods, with Pathankot alone accounting for six deaths. Three people are still untraceable in the same district. While officials admit that livestock and infrastructure losses are yet to be fully assessed, early reports already suggest extensive destruction.
In his update, Revenue, Rehabilitation and Disaster Management Minister Hardeep Singh Mundian said that the disaster has engulfed 23 districts, leaving over 3.54 lakh residents struggling. Among the worst hit are Gurdaspur and Amritsar, together making up more than 2.6 lakh of the affected population. Ferozepur, Fazilka, Pathankot and Kapurthala have also reported heavy damage, while other districts continue to face smaller but significant challenges.
Relief efforts are underway at multiple levels. The Army, Air Force and Navy have together deployed 12 columns, supported by 35 helicopters, 114 boats and a state helicopter. Eight more columns remain on standby. Alongside them, 23 NDRF teams are working intensively in different parts of Punjab, while the Border Security Force has been assisting in sensitive border districts.
Mundian also confirmed that more than 19,500 people have been evacuated so far. The largest numbers were rescued from Gurdaspur, Ferozepur and Amritsar, with thousands also shifted out of Fazilka and Hoshiarpur. Districts like Kapurthala, Barnala, Rupnagar, Moga and Mansa saw smaller operations, but each contributed to the overall rescue count.
The damage to villages and farmland has been no less alarming. Over 1,400 villages now stand submerged, including more than 300 in Gurdaspur alone. Amritsar, Hoshiarpur, Kapurthala and Mansa have also reported widespread flooding, while others like Ludhiana, Patiala, Barnala and Faridkot have seen dozens of villages cut off.
Punjab’s farming community is facing one of its toughest years in recent history. Around 1.48 lakh hectares of crops have been ruined. Gurdaspur tops the list with over 40,000 hectares destroyed, followed by Mansa, Amritsar, Kapurthala and Ferozepur. Smaller districts, though reporting less damage, have not been spared either.
Shelter arrangements have been made in 174 relief camps scattered across different districts. Barnala and Patiala together house more than 50 camps, while Gurdaspur and Hoshiarpur are also hosting large numbers. At present, 5,167 people are staying in these camps, with the highest concentrations in Fazilka, Hoshiarpur, Ferozepur, Gurdaspur and Amritsar.
Mundian reiterated that the state government, under Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann’s leadership, is committed to ensuring that rescue, relief and rehabilitation continue without delay. He stressed that the administration is working around the clock to meet the immediate needs of displaced families while also preparing for the long road to recovery once the waters recede.
