Is Punjab Facing Its Worst Floods Yet?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Punjab is experiencing severe flooding, impacting agriculture and displacing thousands.
- Major evacuation efforts are underway in the worst-hit districts.
- Relief camps have been established to shelter affected individuals.
- The agricultural damage is extensive, with significant areas of crop loss.
- Ongoing relief efforts highlight community resilience in the face of disaster.
Chandigarh, Sep 3 (NationPress) Punjab's Revenue Minister Hardeep Mundian stated on Wednesday that the region is experiencing one of the most severe flood disasters in recent memory, resulting in extensive crop damage across 175,216 hectares.
He specified that districts such as Gurdaspur, Amritsar, Mansa, Ferozepur, and Fazilka have been hit hardest, contributing significantly to the agricultural devastation. The extent of destruction to crops, communities, and the population emphasizes the critical nature of this disaster affecting 23 districts within Punjab.
Regarding rescue efforts, Mundian revealed that more than 20,000 individuals have been relocated from vulnerable and severely impacted areas. Major evacuations occurred in Gurdaspur (5,581), followed by Ferozepur (3,495), Amritsar (2,734), Fazilka (2,422), Hoshiarpur (1,615), Kapurthala (1,428), and others.
To support the displaced population, 167 relief camps have been set up statewide. These include 29 camps in Barnala, 26 in Patiala, and other districts such as SBS Nagar, Fazilka, and Jalandhar. Currently, 5,304 people are taking shelter in these facilities.
The largest numbers of evacuees are located in Fazilka (1,468), Hoshiarpur (1,041), and Ferozepur (706), among others.
The Revenue Minister indicated that 1,655 villages have been submerged, impacting a total of 355,709 individuals. The districts facing the most significant challenges include Gurdaspur (324 villages), Amritsar (190), and others.
Moreover, smaller areas like Bathinda, Faridkot, and Ludhiana have also reported notable impacts. In total, 355,709 people are affected, with the worst-hit being Amritsar (117,534), Gurdaspur (145,000), and Ferozepur (39,076).
On the agricultural side, the minister reported damages across 175,216 hectares of crops. Gurdaspur alone has seen losses exceeding 40,169 hectares, followed by Mansa (24,967) and Amritsar (23,000).