Chandigarh, September 4, 2025 – Large parts of Punjab are reeling under worsening flood conditions following the heavy release of water from Bhakra and Pong dams after incessant rainfall in the region and the upper catchment areas of Himachal Pradesh.
According to officials, both dams had reached close to their maximum storage capacity due to continuous inflows from the hills, forcing authorities to release excess water into the Sutlej, Beas, and their tributaries. The sudden discharge has caused rivers to swell, flooding low-lying areas across several districts including Ropar, Ludhiana, Jalandhar, Hoshiarpur, and Ferozepur.
Villages situated along riverbanks have been put on high alert, with district administrations rushing teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) to affected areas. Evacuation drives are underway in vulnerable zones, and temporary shelters have been set up in schools and community halls.
Punjab Chief Minister issued a statement urging people to remain vigilant and cooperate with the administration. “The safety of citizens is our top priority. Relief camps, medical teams, and food supply arrangements have been made. I appeal to people in flood-prone areas to shift to safer locations without delay,” the CM said.
Farmers in parts of Doaba and Malwa regions have reported extensive damage to standing paddy and vegetable crops, raising fears of heavy economic losses. Several roads have been submerged, and train services on certain routes have been affected due to waterlogging.
Officials of the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) clarified that the controlled release of water was necessary to maintain dam safety amid rising inflows. Weather forecasts indicate that the situation may remain critical as more rainfall is expected in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand in the coming days, which could increase inflows further.
Meanwhile, the Punjab government has sought assistance from the central government for relief and rehabilitation measures.
