Punjab Flood Crisis grips the state as torrential rains and swollen rivers displace thousands of families. The relentless monsoon has unleashed chaos across North India, with Punjab bearing the brunt of severe flooding. Heavy rainfall and water surges from upstream regions have submerged cities and villages, leaving daily life in disarray. Major districts like Amritsar, Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Gurdaspur, Firozpur, and Fazilka are grappling with flooded streets, homes, and farmlands. Over 1,044 villages across 12 districts are affected, displacing 2.56 lakh people and claiming 29 lives. Crops spanning 3 lakh acres have been destroyed. Amid this crisis, India has issued a humanitarian alert to Pakistan about cross-border flooding risks, highlighting the shared challenges posed by climate change-driven extreme weather.
Why the Floods Hit Punjab Hard: Heavy Rainfall and Dam Releases
The primary trigger for Punjab’s flooding is excessive rainfall in the upper catchment areas of Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Punjab recorded 74% above-normal rainfall in August 2025, totaling 253.7 mm against an average of 146.2 mm—the highest in 25 years. Himachal Pradesh reported 91 flash floods, 45 cloudbursts, and 105 landslides, causing rivers like Sutlej, Beas, and Ravi to overflow. Dams such as Pong, Bhakra, and Ranjit Sagar, filled beyond capacity, were forced to release water, pushing river levels past danger marks.
Jalandhar saw 216.70 mm of rain, Amritsar 24.1 mm, and Ludhiana 30.4 mm. The IMD issued a ‘red alert’ for four to six districts in Himachal from August 31 to September 2, warning of very heavy to extremely heavy rainfall. Punjab’s Revenue Minister Hardeep Singh Mundian reported 29 deaths from flash floods, cloudbursts, and landslides between August 1 and September 1. Twelve districts—Amritsar, Barnala, Fazilka, Firozpur, Gurdaspur, Hoshiarpur, Jalandhar, Kapurthala, Mansa, Moga, Pathankot, and SAS Nagar—are severely impacted, with significant losses to crops, livestock, and infrastructure.
Cities and Lives in Turmoil: Punjab’s Flood Devastation
The floods have paralyzed major Punjab cities. Jalandhar and Ludhiana face submerged roads, halting transportation. In Amritsar, the Ravi River’s overflow flooded hundreds of homes, while Gurdaspur’s 323 villages are underwater. Firozpur reports 101 affected villages, with 3,987 people in relief camps. Fazilka lost 41,099 acres of agricultural land, primarily paddy crops. Kapurthala’s 107 villages face livestock losses. Schools, colleges, and polytechnic institutes are closed until September 3.
Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, visibly emotional during visits to affected areas, called the floods Punjab’s biggest challenge. He requested ₹60,000 crore in central aid. NDRF, SDRF, and Army teams have evacuated 15,688 people, with 7,144 sheltered in 129 relief camps. Gurudwaras are providing food and shelter, but many villagers hesitate to leave their livestock, complicating rescue efforts.
India’s Humanitarian Alert to Pakistan: Cross-Border Flood Warning
The floods’ impact extends across the border. India issued a flood alert to Pakistan, the first official contact since the Kashmir attack in April. Despite suspending the Indus Water Treaty temporarily, India shared four alerts on humanitarian grounds. Reuters reports that India opened all gates of the Thein Dam on the Ravi River, raising flood risks in Pakistan’s Punjab province along the Ravi, Sutlej, and Chenab rivers. Pakistan’s provincial disaster authority issued a ‘very high to exceptionally high’ flood warning.
In Pakistan’s Punjab, over 1,400 villages are submerged, affecting 20 lakh people. BBC reports that 200,000 have been evacuated, with Lahore at risk. Pakistan accused India of “weaponizing water,” but an Indian official clarified that the releases were due to excessive rainfall, with warnings shared to mitigate disaster. The Guardian notes Pakistan’s Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif issued alerts for cholera and hepatitis in hospitals. Over 800 deaths across both nations underscore the severity of climate change-driven floods.
Relief Efforts and Government Response: Challenges Persist
Punjab’s government has set up emergency control rooms, with NDRF teams distributing relief supplies round-the-clock. Prime Minister Narendra Modi assured Chief Minister Mann of full support. The Union Home Ministry formed an Inter-Ministerial Central Team (IMCT) to assess damage in Himachal, Uttarakhand, Punjab, and Jammu & Kashmir. Governor Gulab Chand Kataria will visit affected districts starting September 2.
However, challenges remain. Poor drainage systems and illegal constructions along riverbanks have worsened the crisis. Experts warn that climate change is intensifying monsoon unpredictability, complicating forecasts. Punjab’s Water Resources Department cautioned of more rain in the coming days, urging people to avoid rivers.
Economic and Agricultural Toll: A Devastating Blow
The floods have crippled Punjab’s economy. Over 3 lakh acres of crops—mainly paddy and maize—are destroyed, threatening the state’s agriculture-based economy. Livestock losses and damaged infrastructure, including roads, bridges, and power lines, add to the crisis. The Hindu reports that the Centre announced a special relief package, but Chief Minister Mann’s demand for ₹60,000 crore reflects the scale of devastation.
In Pakistan, Reuters highlights losses to rice, sugarcane, maize, and cotton crops in Punjab’s breadbasket region, raising food security concerns. This marks the second major flood since 2022, straining the economy further.
Future Concerns: Climate Change and the Need for Preparedness
The floods signal a stark reality of climate change. The IMD notes that global warming is increasing rainfall intensity, leading to more flash floods and landslides. Politico reports that irregular monsoons are exacerbating disasters in India and Pakistan. Experts recommend strengthening drainage systems, curbing illegal constructions, and improving early warning systems.
A UN report warns that South Asia faces rising climate-driven disasters, with countries like Pakistan suffering disproportionately despite low emissions. India and Pakistan must enhance water-sharing cooperation to mitigate future crises. While relief efforts continue, the lack of long-term strategies remains a pressing concern.