Heavy Rains Paralyse Punjab, Trigger Flood-Like Situation in Several Districts

National News: Relentless rainfall lashed large parts of Punjab on Thursday, disrupting movement on city streets and national highways alike. The spell, arriving in the Bhadon month after Sawan, left several low-lying areas submerged. In the hill regions, continuous showers pushed the Pong Dam’s water level to 1,377.19 feet. With controlled water being released, the Beas river has crossed its danger threshold.

Villages cut off in Kapurthala and neighbouring districts

Several districts, including Kapurthala, Hoshiarpur, Gurdaspur, Amritsar, Fazilka, and Ferozepur, are experiencing flood-like conditions. In Kapurthala alone, a third temporary embankment gave way within 48 hours, trapping more than 30 villages in water. Residents have begun shifting to safer ground to avoid the rising floodwaters.

Weather office issues yellow alert

The India Meteorological Department has forecast more heavy rain for Friday and Saturday, placing the state under a yellow warning. Hoshiarpur topped the rainfall chart on Thursday with 62 mm, followed by Ludhiana at 39.6 mm. Other districts reported significant precipitation—Amritsar (14 mm), Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar (15 mm), Rupnagar (10.5 mm), Sangrur (6 mm), and Faridkot (5 mm).

Rising seas submerge Mand area

Water from the Beas has flooded parts of the Mand region in Sultanpur Lodhi. Following earlier breaches near Bhaini Qadar and Mahiwal, a fresh collapse occurred at Mand Sherpur, inundating additional villages and raising fears of flooding in Tarn Taran district. Preliminary estimates suggest that nearly 7,000 acres of farmland are now under water.

Agriculture and fodder loss mount

The floods have ruined paddy, Basmati, maize, and sugarcane fields, while also washing away stocks of livestock fodder. Rajya Sabha MP Sant Balbir Singh Seechewal, along with his volunteers, has so far rescued over 125 residents from affected zones and moved them to safer shelters.

Relief camps and rescue efforts in progress

To support those displaced, Kapurthala Deputy Commissioner Amit Kumar Panchal has set up a relief camp at Government High School, Lakhwariah. In Fazilka’s Jalalabad belt, swollen Sutlej waters have flooded multiple villages, and road breaches have isolated Atuwala village. Boats are being used for transport, and many schoolchildren have been unable to attend classes.

Mass water discharge towards Pakistan

Officials at Harike Head Works confirmed that 90,000 cusecs of water were released upstream on Thursday. Of this, 66,000 cusecs flowed downstream towards Pakistan, and another 17,000 cusecs were diverted into the Rajasthan and Ferozepur feeder canals. Senior officials from Ferozepur and Tarn Taran inspected the site and appealed to residents to ignore rumors.

Bridge damage halts heavy traffic

The Beas’s strong currents have damaged the Dhanoa Pattan bridge at Kahnuwan, which links Gurdaspur and Hoshiarpur. A crack in one span has forced authorities to ban heavy vehicles on the structure. Built in 2016 at a cost of ₹48 crore, most of the bridge lies in Hoshiarpur district.