Punjab Floods 2025: 37 Dead, 1.75 Lakh Hectares Crops Destroyed

Chandigarh : Severe floods in Punjab’s border districts have wreaked havoc, leaving 37 people dead, over 100 villages submerged, and 1.75 lakh hectares of crops destroyed.

Worst-hit: Ferozepur and Fazilka

The Sutlej river is overflowing, posing the biggest threat to Ferozepur and Fazilka. In Habib Ke village of Ferozepur, more than 2,000 volunteers, army engineers, and drainage officials have been working tirelessly with sandbags, ropes, and even bare hands for the last four days to save a critical embankment from collapsing.

“The real heroes are those who come with food, bags, and bare hands. Their spirit is keeping the bandh alive,” said contractor Ratan Singh Saini.

Rising waters worsen crisis

The crisis deepened after 3.3 lakh cusecs of water—40,000 more than last year’s peak—was released from Harike Headworks. Heavy rains, cloudbursts, and releases from Bhakra and Pong dams worsened the situation, causing a breach of the RG embankment near Manu Machhi village in Zira’s Makhu subdivision.

Floodwaters inundated villages like Chak Manu Machhi, Jamaliwala, Gatta Dallar, and Tibi, destroying hundreds of acres of standing crops. While timely evacuations prevented major casualties, material losses have been severe.

Displacement figures

Ferozepur: 111 villages affected, 39,076 people impacted, 3,495 displaced

Fazilka: 77 villages affected, 21,562 people impacted, 2,422 displaced

In Hamad Chak village, 58-year-old daily wager Harmeesh Singh stood near the remains of his collapsed house:

“I built this with years of hard labour. Now it’s gone.”

Despite floods, BSF jawans continue patrolling the Indo-Pak border to ensure national security remains unaffected.

Relief & rescue operations

Relief efforts are being carried out by the Army, NDRF, BSF, Punjab Police, and district authorities.

In Fazilka, 12 relief camps are operational, sheltering 1,498 people, while 2,422 have been evacuated.

In Ferozepur, over 3,400 people have been rescued and shifted to safer areas, DC Deepshikha Sharma confirmed.

Food, shelter, and medical assistance are being provided at the relief camps.

Punjab’s worst floods since 1988

Officials say this is Punjab’s worst flooding since 1988.

Death toll: 37

Crop damage: 1.75 lakh hectares across all 23 districts

As water levels rise and destruction spreads, Punjab now faces the huge challenge of rehabilitation and rebuilding.