The catastrophic flood that hit Punjab in August-September 2025 shook the state to its core. Described as the worst in over four decades, surpassing the 1988 deluge, this flood submerged over 1,300 villages, leaving millions homeless, and destroyed vast amounts of crops and infrastructure. How did this disaster occur? Was the heavy rainfall the main trigger, or were swollen rivers to blame? What do the scientists say?
The Onset of the Flood: What Happened and Why?
The torrential rains began on August 13, 2025, in Himachal Pradesh and the higher regions of Jammu and Kashmir, leading to one of the most aggressive monsoon spells ever recorded. This massive downpour caused the Sutlej, Beas, and Ravi rivers to swell. Overflow from Pong, Bhakra, and Ranjit Sagar Dams, which reached capacity, exacerbated the situation.
The flood extended to a total of 14 districts, affecting Gurdaspur (323 villages), Kapurthala (107), Firozpur (101), Pathankot (89), Hoshiarpur (85), Muktsar (64), Fazilka (52), Tarn Taran (45), and others, leaving 1,312 villages under water and displacing approximately 1.46 lakh individuals. Schools remained closed until September 3. Meanwhile, rescue operations were tirelessly conducted by the army, NDRF, and BSF, saving over 11,330 lives.
More Rain or River Swell: The Real Cause?
Both factors played their parts, but the intense rainfall in the upper regions was a crucial factor. The deluge in Himachal and Jammu & Kashmir filled the rivers' catchment areas, causing the Sutlej, Beas, and Ravi rivers to flow beyond their safe capacities, carrying 2-4 lakh cusecs of water. To manage the surplus, dam gates had to be opened, enhancing downstream flow.
Climate change has made the monsoon unpredictable, increasing rainfall intensity. Heavy precipitation in the mountainous regions escalated river levels. Beyond rivers, even seasonal streams like Ghaggar were in spate. Importantly, 70% of the damage was due to rainfall, with 30% attributed to dam releases.
Scientific Perspectives: Why Did 1,300 Villages Drown?
Scientifically, the flood was an interplay of several factors. Firstly, ...
Geography of the Himalayas:
Punjab is largely flat, but rivers originate from steep mountains, where flash floods are frequent. A Wiley Journal study (2024) found that climate change alters the monsoon system—the weather patterns from east, south, and west converge, raising moisture levels, resulting in a 26.5% increase in northern Indian rainfall.
Sediment Accumulation:
Continuous sediment deposits in these rivers reduce their capacity, accelerating overflow.
Dam Management Issues:
When dams like Bhakra (Sutlej), Pong (Beas), and Ranjit Sagar (Ravi) reached their limits, releasing water was unavoidable, which flooded countless downstream villages. Pong Dam even reached 1,393 feet, surpassing its threshold.
Human-Induced Factors:
Encroachment on floodplains, inadequate drainage systems, and climate changes have heightened the frequency of floods. An IPCC report indicates a doubling of flood occurrences in the Himalayas over 60 years. In border districts like Gurdaspur, the breaking of rivers like Ravi inflicted severe damage. A total of 61632 hectares, predominantly paddy fields, drowned.
This flood is an economic calamity. Three lakh acres of crops ruined, with paddy hardest hit. 29 fatalities, three missing persons, and 2.56 lakh lives were impacted. Fazilka saw 41099 acres submerged, whereas Firozpur accounted for 27000 acres. The livestock toll was also significant, with thousands of animals lost or ill.
Schools and colleges shut down, roads were destroyed, and utilities like electricity and water were nonexistent. CM Bhagwant Mann sought a 60,000 crore relief package from PM Modi. Rescue operations were facilitated by the NDRF and Army via helicopters. NGOs like Khalsa Aid distributed essential supplies.
Government relief camps total 77, sheltering about 4729 individuals. Nevertheless, experts advocate for stronger dams, improved drainage systems, and river-linking projects. Emergency planning and community training could mitigate future losses.
This flood serves as a climatic warning call. Enhanced infrastructure and federal assistance are essential for Punjab's resilience.
