Punjab is grappling with devastating floods that have caused massive damage across the state. The government has estimated losses at ₹13,289 crore, a figure presented during deliberations with central assessment teams currently reviewing the situation on the ground. The appeal includes requests for a relief package from the Centre to aid affected residents, farmers, and livelihoods.
Over the past 24 hours, three more people have tragically lost their lives, raising the flood-related death toll to 46. The floods have unleashed havoc across nearly 2,000 villages in 23 districts, uprooting lives and disrupting daily routines. Crop damage is massive, and property and infrastructure—from roads and bridges to power lines, markets, and irrigation systems—have suffered extensive destruction.
The agricultural sector has borne a particular brunt of the impact. Vast swathes of farmland have been rendered unusable, and officials are racing to quantify losses to crops, livestock, and rural livelihoods. Government officials have highlighted the immediate need for financial aid to support farmers, repair critical infrastructure, and reinstate basic services.
Punjab’s Finance Minister pressed the Centre not just for emergency grants but also for the release of pending compensation and disaster mitigation funds—amounting to ₹60,000 crore—necessary to bolster response efforts. In a powerful statement, he emphasized Punjab’s role as the nation’s breadbasket and urged swift and equitable support.
As floodwaters begin to recede, damage surveys and rehabilitation plans are being expedited. The focus is tightening on coordinating rescue operations, providing shelter, and restoring normalcy.
The state’s plea underscores both the enormity of the crisis and the urgency of rebuilding efforts. For those affected, the road to recovery will demand solidarity, substantial aid, and a blueprint for resilience—sopn so they may rebuild in the aftermath of one of the most severe natural disasters to strike Punjab in recent memory.