Punjab Floods: Will Ludhiana Survive the Rising Waters? Death Toll Climbs to 43

Chandigarh: The flood situation in Punjab worsened on Thursday as the Ludhiana district administration issued a high alert. An embankment in the eastern part of the district came under heavy pressure from the Sutlej, raising fears of further flooding.

Authorities warned that several villages, including Sasrali, Boont, Rawat, Hawas, Seera, Boothgarh, Mangli Tanda, Dheri, Khawajke, Khassi Khurd, Mangli Kadar, Mattewara, Mangat, and Meharban, may face inundation if the embankment weakens further.

Residents in danger zones have been urged to shift to upper floors or move to safer relief centres, which have been set up at Satsang Ghars along Rahon road, Chandigarh road, Tibba road, and at schools and mandis in Mattewara, Kailash Nagar, Khassi Kalan, and Bhukhri.

District advisory includes:

Keep important documents in waterproof bags.

Prioritise safety of elderly, children, and the sick.

Stay alert and follow rescue instructions.

Helpline numbers:

Flood Control Room: 0161-2433100

Emergency Helpline: 112

“People’s cooperation is vital. Protecting lives is our top priority,” a district official said.

Statewide impact:
Punjab is witnessing one of its worst flood disasters in decades, triggered by overflowing Sutlej, Beas, and Ravi rivers, along with heavy rain in Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir.

1,902 villages across 23 districts affected

3.84 lakh people impacted

20,972 evacuated

Crops on 1.71 lakh hectares destroyed

Death toll: 43 (Hoshiarpur 7, Pathankot 6, Barnala & Amritsar 5 each, Ludhiana & Bathinda 4 each). Three people remain missing in Pathankot.

Relief efforts:
Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has deployed gazetted officers to every flood-hit village for direct coordination. A special ‘girdawari’ (damage assessment) has been ordered to evaluate losses to crops, property, and infrastructure.