The death toll from the devastating floods in Punjab has risen to 48, with officials reporting two more fatalities. The floods have also caused extensive damage to crops, with approximately 1.76 lakh hectares affected.

Educational institutions across Punjab, which had been closed due to the deluge, are set to reopen in a phased manner. Private schools, colleges, and universities are permitted to resume operations from today, September 8, 2025, provided their buildings are declared safe for students and staff. Government schools will reopen for teachers and staff today, with cleaning drives and safety inspections planned in collaboration with School Management Committees, panchayats, municipal councils, and corporations. Government schools will reopen for students on September 9, 2025.

Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains has emphasized that the decision to reopen schools and colleges in flood-affected areas will be made by the respective Deputy Commissioners. If any structural issues are detected in school buildings, teachers are instructed to immediately inform the Deputy Commissioner and the Engineering Department.

The floods, described as the worst in over three decades, have affected nearly 2,000 villages across all districts of Punjab. Over 22,938 people have been evacuated from the worst-hit areas, and the state government has established 219 relief camps accommodating over 5,400 people.

AAP leader and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh has visited flood-affected border villages and stated that the central government is waiting for reports instead of providing immediate relief. Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan visited Punjab to assess the situation and assured that the central government would assist the state. He noted that funds are already available with the state under the State Disaster Relief Fund and that two central teams are assessing the total loss.

The floods have been caused by heavy monsoon rains in the catchment areas of Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir, along with the release of surplus water from dams. The Sutlej, Beas, and Ravi rivers, along with seasonal rivulets, have overflowed, inundating large parts of the state.

In Amritsar, schools will remain closed today, September 8, with reopening scheduled for September 9, except for schools in Ajnala-1, Ajnala-2, Chogawan-1, and Chogawan-2. Reopening is contingent upon cleaning, sanitization, safety checks, and the submission of a safety certificate.