Chandigarh, September 26, 2025 — The Punjab Assembly on Friday convened a special session focused exclusively on the devastating floods that swept through the state during this year’s monsoon. Speaker Kultar Sandhwan made it clear that proceedings would be restricted to flood-related discussions, with no Question Hour or Zero Hour scheduled.
Irrigation Minister Barinder Goyal, initiating the debate, described the disaster as unparalleled in scale, surpassing even the 1988 floods. “This tragedy is unlike anything people have witnessed in their lifetimes. In 1988, the state received 11.20 lakh cusecs of water, but this year the inflow surged to 14.11 lakh cusecs—nearly 20 percent higher,” he said.
Goyal also expressed concern over the India Meteorological Department’s forecasts, noting that Punjab experienced far heavier rainfall than projected. He stressed that the situation worsened as rivers swelled with water flowing in from Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, and Pakistan. The minister is expected to table a resolution on the flood situation later in the session.
Before the debate began, the House observed tributes to former minister Harpal Toor, celebrated comedian Jaswinder Bhalla, veteran musician Charanjit Ahuja, and those who lost their lives in the floods.
The four-day session, running from September 26 to 29, follows a disaster that affected 23 districts. According to official data, 2,565 villages and nearly 3.90 lakh residents were impacted. The floods have claimed 57 lives, with four individuals still reported missing.
The Punjab government has already declared the state disaster-hit. While the Centre has released ₹1,600 crore in relief, it has also pointed out that Punjab has ₹12,000 crore unutilised in its State Disaster Relief Fund.
