Recurring floods lay bare Punjab’s river basin vulnerabilities

More than a dozen spots along the Sutlej, Beas and Ravi in the state face recurring flood threats every monsoon, exposing gaps in administrative foresight, engineering infrastructure and interstate coordination. Experts cite poor maintenance, political differences with neighbouring Haryana and outdated flood management systems as key contributors. The seasonal Ghaggar, which carries very less water during the dry season, also turns destructive when the rainfall is heavy during the monsoon.

Specialists point out that Punjab seldom experiences rainfall severe enough to qualify as a natural calamity. Instead, flooding is often triggered by water releases from large dams, including Bhakra, Ranjit Sagar and Pong, which overwhelm downstream villages. In addition, short bursts of high-intensity rainfall in recent years have worsened the impact, especially in areas such as Jalandhar, Kapurthala, Hoshiarpur, Nawanshahr, Abohar and Fazilka.

The flood-prone regions span Majha, Malwa and Doaba, each with distinct challenges.

Sutlej basin

Settlements near the Bhakra Dam are hampered by excessive siltation, reducing the dam’s storage capacity and affecting river health. Bela’s drainage system can handle 50,000 cusecs, but during danger-level conditions, the dam releases far more (2.50 lakh cusecs in 2022) that causes severe flooding. The Bhudki Choe, a seasonal rivulet in the catchment area, frequently floods; the IIT-Ropar’s campus was badly inundated in August 2019.

Further downstream, the Giderpindi railway bridge in Jalandhar district is 20 feet lower than the adjoining NHAI road, forcing excess rainwater onto tracks. Shahkot and Lohian face similar drainage issues. At Harike Pattan, repeated damage to constructions in the Weir Estate occurs during heavy rains, though creek flooding is occasional.

Beas basin

Since flash floods at Chakki (near Pathankot) in 2022, Beas flooding has intensified. Rampant mining has compounded the problem across the state. In Bhupur, 60 per cent of the river’s path is occupied by human settlements, and a 600-m bridge across a creek spanning 2 km causes annual blockages, leaving residents exposed during heavy rainfall.

Ravi basin

In the Ravi flow area, Border Security Force (BSF) posts along the riverbed face water diversion risks during the rainy season, as boulders placed by Pakistan on the opposite bank alter the flow. This section requires consistent maintenance to safeguard the posts and manage river currents.

Ghaggar basin

Seasonal rivers Patiala Nadi, Tangri and Markanda merge into the Ghaggar at Badshahpur, near Patiala. With a capacity of just 50,000 cusecs, the waterway saw flow of up to 1.5 lakh cusec in 2023, making the river take alternative paths, thereby inundating nearby villages. At Batti Darra downstream, water backflow in the narrow channel creates persistent pooling.

Near Khannauri, a canal constructed over a river passage regularly overflows during heavy rains, flooding adjacent areas. Experts say an elevation adjustment should have been incorporated at the design stage.

In the area between Kurail and Moonak, the Ghaggar meanders into Haryana and back at 11 places. People in Punjab have been demanding that the river area be broadened to check flooding. Haryana objects to that saying the water will affect its areas.

There is trickle of water flow near the Chhatbir Zoo area. This is because water from the seasonal rivers is stopped at the Kaushalaya Dam, near Panchkula.

Conclusion

From silted dams and weak embankments to low-lying bridges and unplanned settlements, Punjab’s river basins remain highly vulnerable during the monsoon. Without targeted infrastructure upgrades, strict regulation of mining and coordinated dam management, the cycle of annual flooding is likely to continue.