Punjab floods: Majha still on the edge, water recedes in Doaba areas

The flood situation remains critical in Tarn Taran, Amritsar and Gurdaspur districts of Majha, while water has receded in several villages in Kapurthala and Sultanpur Lodhi of the Doaba region.

Rising water levels in the Ghaggar have raised concerns in Patiala district, prompting the local administration to issue an advisory urging residents to remain alert and move to safer areas.

Opposition parties, including the state unit of the BJP, have appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for immediate assistance. They have accused the AAP government in Punjab of failing to provide adequate relief. In response, AAP has questioned the Centre’s lack of support, alleging that the Modi government has turned its back on Punjab.

Floods have thus far affected 1,018 villages across the state. The worst-hit districts include Gurdaspur (323 villages), Ferozepur (101), Hoshiarpur (85), Pathankot (81), Fazilka (52), Kapurthala (107), Tarn Taran (45), Moga (35), Muktsar (64) and Sangrur (22).

The state has suffered significant financial losses due to extensive damage to crops and loss of livestock, with reports indicating over 60,000 hectares of agricultural land has been affected.

In the past 24 hours, 4,711 people were evacuated to safer places. The evacuees include 2,571 from Gurdaspur, 1,239 from Fazilka, 812 from Ferozepur, 60 from Tarn Taran, 25 from Barnala, and 4 from Moga. In all, 11,330 people have been rescued from nine flood-hit districts: Gurdaspur (4,771), Ferozepur (2,819), Pathankot (1,100), Hoshiarpur (1,052), Fazilka (1,239), Kapurthala (240), Tarn Taran (60), Barnala (25) and Moga (24).

Currently, 77 of the 87 relief camps set up in affected areas are operational, providing shelter to 4,729 people. The administration is managing all essential needs for those housed there. A district-wise breakdown shows Ferozepur has 3,450 people in eight camps; Hoshiarpur has 478 people in 20 camps; Pathankot has 411 people in 14 camps; Kapurthala has 110 people in four camps; Gurdaspur has 255 people in 12 camps; Fazilka has 11 camps; Moga five; Amritsar two; and Barnala has 25 people in one camp.

Relief operations are being carried out by the NDRF, SDRF, state police and the Army, with active support from local communities. Seven NDRF teams are deployed in Gurdaspur, with one each in Fazilka and Ferozepur, and two in Pathankot. The SDRF has two teams in Kapurthala. The Army, BSF and Air Force are also engaged in operations in Kapurthala, Gurdaspur, Ferozepur and Pathankot.