Chandigarh: Punjab has declared itself a disaster-hit state after relentless monsoon rains, dam water release and swollen rivers left the state reeling. While all 23 districts have been affected by inclement weather, seven districts—Ferozepur, Gurdaspur, Hoshiarpur, Jalandhar, Kapurthala, Rupnagar and Tarn Taran—are facing severe floods that have devastated more than 1,200 villages.
In an official order, Chief Secretary KAP Sinha, who chairs the State Executive Committee under the Disaster Management Act, 2005, invoked Section 24 of the law and authorised Deputy Commissioners to exercise powers under Section 34 to deal with the situation. The order called the current crisis “one of the worst disasters in decades” and directed departments to respond on a war footing.
The state government said nearly 3.75 lakh acres of farmland, mostly paddy, remain submerged in flood-affected areas, wiping out crops weeks before harvest. Large-scale livestock deaths have compounded rural distress, hitting households heavily dependent on dairy and animal husbandry.
All District Disaster Management Authorities have been instructed to take prompt relief measures, while line departments have been told to ensure round-the-clock presence of staff. The PWD, Water Resources Department and PSPCL have been directed to restore essential services urgently. Telecom providers have been ordered to maintain uninterrupted connectivity, and local bodies including Panchayati Raj Institutions and civic agencies have been tasked with carrying out evacuation, relief and restoration operations.
By declaring itself disaster-hit, Punjab has formally activated state-level disaster management protocols, enabling mobilisation of the State Disaster Response Fund and laying the ground for central assistance if required. With the monsoon still active and more rainfall expected, the state government has warned of further deterioration in the days ahead.
