The flood crisis in Punjab has been compounded by fresh torrential rainfall in the state and its upstream catchment areas in Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir. The relentless downpour has led to the swelling of the Sutlej, Beas, and Ravi rivers, causing a new wave of devastation in already affected districts and threatening critical infrastructure.
The ongoing deluge has worsened the situation in districts such as Pathankot, Gurdaspur, Fazilka, Kapurthala, Tarn Taran, Ferozepur, Hoshiarpur, and Amritsar. In Ludhiana, the backflow from the Sutlej river has led to the temporary shutdown of all dyeing units in industrial areas. The overflow has also put low-lying areas at risk of waterlogging as the backflow affects the city’s main Sewage Treatment Plant.
In Kapurthala, the rising Beas river has caused significant damage to standing paddy crops across over 50,000 acres, and concerns are growing over the stability of the nearby dhussi bandhs (embankments). In Phagwara, rainwater inundated shops along Gaushala Road, resulting in substantial losses for businesses. Meanwhile, in Ferozepur, more than 28,000 residents across 112 villages have been impacted by the floodwaters from the Sutlej.
Rescue and relief operations are being carried out round the clock by teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Indian Army, Border Security Force (BSF), and Punjab Police. Authorities are urging citizens to remain alert, avoid unnecessary travel, and take precautions against waterlogging and potential structural damage to buildings.
The crisis extends beyond Punjab’s borders. In Himachal Pradesh, landslides have wreaked havoc, rendering over 257 roads impassable and stranding over 2,000 vehicles in Mandi and Kullu. In Delhi, the Yamuna river has crossed its danger mark, prompting authorities to advise residents in floodplains to relocate. These events underscore a multi-state crisis, with continuous and intense rainfall affecting large parts of Northern India.