Punjab is grappling with the aftermath of severe floods that have claimed the lives of 48 people. The floods, described as the worst in decades, have impacted nearly 2,000 villages across all districts of Punjab, affecting over 3.87 lakh citizens. In addition to the loss of life, the floods have caused extensive damage to crops across 1.76 lakh hectares.

The death toll has been reported highest in Hoshiarpur and Amritsar (seven each), followed by Pathankot (six), Barnala (five), Ludhiana and Bathinda (four each), Mansa (three), Gurdaspur, Rupnagar and SAS Nagar (two each), while one death each has been reported from Patiala, Sangrur, Fazilka and Ferozepur. Three people are still reported missing in Pathankot. A brother-sister duo also drowned in a rain-fed rivulet in Kapurthala district.

The floods were triggered by relentless rainfall in Punjab and neighboring hill states, along with surplus water releases from dams. The overflowing Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej rivers inundated large parts of the state.

In response to the crisis, rescue and relief operations have been underway by the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Army, Border Security Force (BSF), Punjab Police, and district authorities. The Army also evacuated 27 individuals via helicopter from Lassian in Gurdaspur. Approximately 22,854 people have been rescued from the worst-hit areas, and 219 relief camps have been established, sheltering over 6,100 people. Drones were also deployed to deliver essential supplies.

The Punjab government had ordered the closure of all schools, colleges, and universities until September 7 in response to the floods. Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains announced that all private schools, colleges, and universities in Punjab will reopen on September 8. However, the management of private institutions must ensure the safety of buildings, classrooms, and campuses for students and staff. Government schools will reopen for teachers only on September 8, with students returning on September 9. Teachers, with support from School Management Committees (SMCs), panchayats, and municipal councils, will conduct cleanliness and safety inspections of school premises.

In areas still severely affected by floods, the decision to keep schools or colleges closed will rest with the respective district Deputy Commissioners (DCs). Amritsar schools will remain closed on September 8, and will reopen September 9, except for schools in Ajnala-1, Ajnala-2, Chogawan-1 and Chogawan-2. Reopening is allowed only after cleaning, sanitization, safety checks, and submission of a safety certificate.

The floods have left farmers in a dire situation, with approximately 30% of the state's paddy crop ruined. The floodwaters have also left the land unsuitable for sowing winter wheat, raising concerns about future harvests. Farm outfits are demanding compensation and loan waivers.

The impact of the floods extends beyond Punjab, with Pakistan also experiencing catastrophic flooding in its Punjab province. Experts attribute the extreme levels of rainfall to climate change, which is making the monsoon season more erratic and deadly across the region.