Punjab is facing its worst floods in nearly four decades, with the death toll climbing to 37 following recent heavy rains. The devastating floods, which have impacted over 3.55 lakh people in 1,655 villages, have been declared a disaster-affected area by the state government. This declaration grants district magistrates the authority to invoke powers under the Disaster Management Act, 2025, to expedite relief efforts.

The floods, triggered by unusually intense monsoon rains and exacerbated by the release of surplus water from dams, have caused widespread devastation across 23 districts. Approximately 1.75 lakh hectares of crops have been submerged, with Gurdaspur, Amritsar, Mansa, Ferozepur, and Fazilka being the worst-hit districts. Gurdaspur alone accounts for over 100,000 acres of damaged crops.

Rescue and relief operations are underway on a war footing, with help pouring in from various sources. The state government has mobilized all its resources, and emergency measures, including hospital preparedness and the evacuation of residents and livestock, are being coordinated with Rescue 1122 and PDMA. Over 19,474 people have been rescued, and 167 relief camps have been established, providing shelter to 5,304 people. Twenty-two teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), along with the Indian Army, Air Force, and Border Security Force (BSF), are assisting in rescue efforts.

The floods have not only claimed lives but have also caused extensive damage to property and infrastructure. An elderly couple in Maur Nabha village, Barnala district, died after their house collapsed. The ground floor of Kartarpur Sahib, a major Sikh pilgrimage site in Narowal, was flooded. Across Punjab, more than 1,400 villages have been inundated, and an estimated 3.5 lakh residents have been affected.

In response to the crisis, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif ordered a major rescue operation, deploying army units across several districts, including Lahore, Narowal, Kasur, Sialkot, Okara, Faisalabad, and Sargodha. All schools, colleges, and universities have been closed until September 7. Authorities have sounded alerts in Rupnagar and Patiala districts, urging people to remain vigilant.

The current floods are reminiscent of the 1988 floods, which are considered the most destructive in the state's history. In 1988, torrential rain and heavy discharge from dams caused widespread devastation, resulting in over 600 deaths and affecting approximately 34 lakh people.

Experts believe that several factors have contributed to the repeated floods in Punjab, including a high dependence on rivers, an increased frequency of extreme rain events, and inadequate drainage infrastructure. The state government has directed all district disaster management authorities to provide immediate relief and has ordered concerned departments to restore essential services on a war footing. A full survey will be conducted to assess the extent of damage to livestock and houses once the floodwaters recede.