Flood Gates of Sukhna and Bhakra Opened.
Flooding Affects Punjab and the Surrounding Areas
Flooding is now occurring in seven districts of Punjab. For the next three days, there is a chance that water levels will rise. The water level in Ghaggar has increased due to the opening of Sukhna Lake’s floodgates. Similarly, the Bhakhra Dam is releasing water into the Sutlej River.
To reach those stranded in the floods, the army has been using helicopters for rescue efforts since Friday morning. People in Ajnala are delivering meals from door to door while carrying them on their shoulders.
Three people are missing, and six people have perished as a result of the floods. For the next three days, the districts of Mohali, Nawanshahr, and Hoshiarpur are under a red alert for rain, according to the Chandigarh Meteorological Department. Pathankot is on a yellow alert.
Apart from Punjab, Himachal Pradesh is under a yellow notice until October 2, while Jammu & Kashmir is under an orange alert. Punjab may sustain greater damage if Jammu & Kashmir and Himachal experience heavy rains once more.
On Thursday, August 28, no rain fell anywhere in the state. The Ravi River’s water level has consequently somewhat dropped. The floods in Jammu and Kashmir have forced the cancellation of 38 trains that were travelling through Punjab.
Punjab has seen three days of flooding in seven districts as a result of the water discharged from the dams. Over 250 communities are submerged under between 5 and 15 feet of water. A large number of social workers are assisting with the boat evacuation.
Floodgates opening depict disasters for public lifestyle. The government must take some strong actions for their safety.
Worsening Flood Situation.
The floods are a result of incessant heavy rainfall in Punjab and the hilly states of Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir. Flood Gates
The situation has been compounded by the controlled release of surplus water from dams like Bhakra and Ranjit Sagar, which have reached critical water levels. The release of 2.2 lakh cusecs of water from Harike headworks has also exacerbated flooding, particularly in Fazilka and Ferozepur.
As of Friday, August 29, 2025, the water level in the Ghaggar River is rising due to the opening of floodgates at Sukhna Lake in Chandigarh.
More than 830 villages across the state have been impacted, with over 250 villages submerged under 5 to 15 feet of water.
The worst-affected districts include Gurdaspur, Ferozepur, Fazilka, Amritsar, Pathankot, Hoshiarpur, Kapurthala, and Tarn Taran.
Rescue and Relief Operations
- The Indian Army, Indian Air Force (IAF), Border Security Force (BSF), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) are all engaged in large-scale rescue and relief operations
- The army has been using helicopters for rescue missions and has deployed specialised amphibious vehicles like the ATOR N1200 to navigate flooded areas and evacuate stranded residents.
- The IAF has also been conducting daring rescue operations, evacuating civilians and security personnel and airdropping essential relief materials.
- Local administrations, with the help of volunteers and organisations like the Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC), are setting up relief camps, providing food, and distributing other necessary supplies.
- A state-level control room has been established in Jalandhar to coordinate efforts and provide assistance.
Impact and Consequences
- Six deaths have been reported, and three people are missing. Over 6,600 people have been evacuated and moved to 88 relief camps.
- The floods have caused significant damage to houses, agricultural land, and infrastructure. Farmers have lost their crops, livestock, and food grains, leading to a major economic and food supply crisis.
- In some areas, such as the India-Pakistan border near Fazilka, the floodwaters have created dangerous situations, with people being swept away and rescued just before being carried across the border.
- The floodgates opening have also disrupted railway services, with 38 trains passing through Punjab cancelled.
- In a gesture of support, the Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and all MLAs have announced they will donate one month’s salary to flood relief efforts.
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