Villages Cut Off After Devastating Floods in Punjab, India

Punjab, India – Around 1,000 villages in Punjab state remain marooned by severe floods, forcing thousands of residents to take refuge in relief camps, according to government authorities.

The floods, which struck the northwestern state last month, have claimed at least 29 lives and affected over 250,000 people. Punjab’s Chief Minister, Bhagwant Mann, described the disaster as “one of the worst flood events in decades.”

Punjab, often referred to as India’s breadbasket, has seen more than 940 square kilometres (360 square miles) of farmland submerged, resulting in devastating crop losses. In a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Mann stressed the urgency of support for farmers and flood-affected communities.

Prime Minister Modi on Monday pledged full support from the federal government to aid in relief and recovery efforts.

Authorities fear a significant loss of livestock, with the full scale of the impact expected to become evident only as floodwaters subside. India’s army and disaster response teams have been deployed extensively, using over 1,000 boats and 30 helicopters to rescue stranded residents and deliver food supplies.

“The most important thing is to save the lives of people and helpless animals trapped in the water,” Mann said.

Many rivers in Punjab cross into Pakistan, where floodwaters have also inundated large areas.

Floods and landslides are common in the June–September monsoon season, but experts warn that climate change, coupled with poorly planned development, is increasing their frequency, intensity, and damage. Northwest India has experienced a 30% rise in rainfall on average during the monsoon months, according to the national weather department.

In Delhi, relentless rains have caused the Yamuna River to breach its danger mark, flooding several districts and creating hours-long traffic disruptions.

The Punjab floods follow similar devastating weather events in Jammu and Kashmir, where record-breaking rainfall and floods last month resulted in dozens of fatalities.

Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely, urging residents in flood-prone areas to remain alert and adhere to safety advisories.