India has emerged as a significant center of flooding in the past decade. Between 2014 and 2024, over 300,000 square kilometers, or 10% of the country's total land, experienced some form of flooding. Particularly, states like Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand witnessed devastation during monsoon heavy rains. Overflowing rivers, weakened dams, and drainage blockages worsened the catastrophes.
In 2025, Punjab's floods escalated the crisis. Overflowing Sutlej, Beas, and Ravi rivers, alongside the release of water from Bhakra, Pong, and Ranjit Sagar dams, submerged 1,902 villages. The floods impacted 384,000 people and ruined 170,000 hectares of crops. Districts like Gurdaspur, Amritsar, and Ferozepur bore the brunt of the aftermath, with climate change contributing to increased rainfall and cloudburst incidents.
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The floods were fueled by both natural and human factors. Besides heavy rains, settlements and agriculture on riverbanks, weak dams, and silted canals played significant roles. Old drainage systems in urban areas also contributed to the flooding. Strengthening dams, cleaning rivers, preventing encroachments, and enhancing alert systems are essential for future flood prevention.
Source: aajtak
Punjab: From Granary to Water Bowl
Punjab, once known as India's granary, is now struggling with massive floods. Torrential rains in August and September, combined with fragile dams, boundary encroachments, and blocked natural drainage, have intensified this calamity.
This flood is considered the most destructive in the past three decades, drowning 1,902 villages and affecting 384,000 individuals. It has also devastated 170,000 hectares of crops. While Punjab faces monsoonal flooding annually, 2025 marked the most significant destruction since 1988.
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Rivers Rise to Dangerous Levels
The water levels in Sutlej, Beas, and Ravi rose alarmingly due to heavy rains in Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir. The release of water from Bhakra, Pong, and Ranjit Sagar dams caused low-lying areas to submerge. Punjab's plains started to fill with water.
Source: aajtak
Gurdaspur district suffered the most, with 324 villages submerged and 145,000 people impacted, followed by Amritsar, Fazilka, Ferozepur, Pathankot, Kapurthala, Hoshiarpur, Tarn Taran, and Patiala. By September 5, 43 people had perished. Furthermore, 170,000 hectares of crops, particularly paddy, were ruined. All 23 districts in Punjab were declared flood-affected.
Urban areas faced severe conditions too. In early September, heavy rains submerged roads, homes, and businesses in Mohali, Ludhiana, Jalandhar, Amritsar, and Chandigarh, exemplifying urban flash floods due to inadequate sewage and drainage systems.
Causes of Floods: Nature and Human Negligence
The Punjab floods resulted from a mix of natural events and human errors. Let's delve deeper...
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Natural Causes
Heavy Rainfall: According to the Meteorological Department, until August 30, Punjab received 443 mm of rain, 24% more than the average of 357.1 mm. From August 28 to September 3, there was 48% additional rainfall. Cloudbursts in Himachal and Jammu & Kashmir caused sudden river level rises.
Climate Change: The intensity of rainfall intensified due to climatic changes. The monsoon trough, western disturbances, and cyclonic systems contributed to the escalated rain events.
Release of Dam Water: Due to an excess of water in Bhakra, Pong, and Ranjit Sagar dams, millions of cusecs were released, worsening the flood situation.
Source: aajtak
Human Errors
Weak Dikes (Dhusi Dikes): Temporary dikes on the banks of Sutlej, Beas, and Ravi were weak. Strengthening efforts before the season lagged behind.
Encroachments on Riverbanks: Settlements and agriculture spread over flood plains. In Ropar's Sutlej and Gurdaspur's Beas-Ravi flood plains, 50000 individuals and 450 villages, respectively, occupied the areas.
Silt Accumulation: Accumulated silt in rivers and dams reduced their water-carrying capacity. Desiltation efforts weren't timely.
Blocked Drains and Canals: Networks of canals in southwest Punjab were blocked by roads, bridges, and concrete barriers, causing urban flooding.
Poor Management: While district flood management plans existed, their implementation was late and limited. Water release planning and warnings from dams lacked synchrony.
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Damage Incurred
Agriculture: 170,000 hectares of crops, especially paddy, were destroyed. Punjab contributes 20% of India's wheat and 12% of its rice, thus the flood dealt a significant economic blow.
Human and Animal Loss: 43 individuals perished, and several went missing. Livestock washed away or stranded on rooftops.
Property and Infrastructure: Significant damage to homes, roads, and electric systems. In Gurdaspur alone, 145,000 people and 324 villages were impacted.
Urban Flooding: Streets and colonies in Ludhiana, Jalandhar, and Mohali were inundated.
Economic Losses: Initial estimates placed losses at 17-20 billion rupees, later increased to 12.19 billion rupees.
Conflict Between Center and State
Reports from the Central Water Commission (CWC) indicated that Punjab's rivers did not reach historical water levels, attributing it to typical monsoon floods. However, local media reported that the floods began on August 14 and reached catastrophic levels by August 25. The government had a ten-day early warning but delayed action.
Source: aajtak
Punjab's Chief Minister, Bhagwant Mann, sought 60,000 crore rupees from the center, but it responded that funds were available in the State Disaster Relief Fund. Opposition parties accused the AAP government of negligence.
Future Recommendations
Experts suggested these measures to prevent future flooding...
Regulation of Flood Zones: Enforce stringent rules to prevent settlements and farming on riverbanks.
Departmental Coordination: Collaborative planning between IMD, irrigation departments, and BBMB, with mapping of vulnerable areas and prompt warnings.
Strengthening Dikes: Reinforce dhusi dikes and conduct pre-monsoon desiltation.
Urban Drainage Upgrade: Modernize outdated sewerage and storm drain systems.
Funding: Provide adequate funds for canal and drain maintenance.
Community Involvement: Engage local communities and NGOs in preparedness and relief efforts.
Timely Compensation: Quick compensation and disease prevention measures post-flood impact.
