Punjab Floods 2025
Punjab is facing severe floods in 2025. All 23 districts have been declared flood-hit. Nearly 1,902 villages are inundated. Over 3.8 lakh people are affected. More than 11.7 lakh hectares of farmland have been destroyed. The northern district of Gurdaspur is the worst hit with 329 villages underwater. At least 43 people have lost their lives. Flooding has also affected Punjab in Pakistan, displacing over 9 lakh people and causing similar fatalities.
Geographical and Climatic Context
Punjab, known as the land of five rivers, is naturally prone to flooding. It is nourished by the Ravi, Beas and Sutlej rivers. These rivers flow through various districts, carrying fertile alluvium that supports Punjab’s agriculture. Seasonal rivers like Ghaggar and smaller hill streams add to the water flow. Heavy monsoon rains in Punjab and upstream areas of Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir cause rivers to swell beyond their capacity.
Flood History and Recent Rainfall Patterns
Punjab has witnessed major floods in 1955, 1988, 1993, 2019, and 2023. This year, rainfall has been more than 45% above normal in Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, and Jammu & Kashmir. Exceptional rain in Himachal caused the Beas river to overflow in August. The Ravi river swelled after rainfall in Himachal and Jammu & Kashmir, breaking two gates of the Madhopur Barrage near Pathankot. Southern Punjab’s Malwa region also suffered severe waterlogging due to heavy local rains.
Role of Dams and Reservoir Management
Three major dams influence river flows in Punjab – Bhakra on the Sutlej, Pong on the Beas, and Thein (Ranjit Sagar) on the Ravi. These dams are managed by different authorities—the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) and Punjab State Power Corporation Ltd. During heavy rainfall, reservoirs fill quickly and water must be released to prevent dam overtopping. Controlled releases, however, often cause downstream flooding. This year’s inflows have been unprecedented, especially at Pong dam, causing sudden and massive water discharge.
Coordination Issues
Punjab has long criticised the BBMB for not prioritising flood management. The Board maintains high reservoir levels for irrigation and power, leaving little buffer for sudden rains. Punjab officials allege poor communication and late warnings before water releases. The BBMB’s governance structure, controlled mainly by the central government, limits Punjab’s influence. Changes in 2022 allowing officers from outside Punjab and Haryana have worsened trust issues. Coordination failures also affected the management of Madhopur Barrage gates, worsening flooding.
Infrastructure and Environmental Concerns
The state’s earthen embankments, known as dhussi bundhs, are critical flood defences. Illegal mining has weakened these structures, increasing vulnerability. Experts advocate for strengthening embankments and desilting river bottlenecks to improve water flow. The cost of such measures is estimated at Rs 4,000–5,000 crore. However, flood mitigation efforts often begin only after disasters strike, reflecting a reactive rather than proactive approach.
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