Chandigarh, August 17, 2025: The flood situation in Punjab worsened on Saturday as heavy rainfall in Himachal Pradesh pushed up river and reservoir levels, raising fears of a repeat of the 2023 floods.
Punjab Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Barinder Goyal said that while the Bhakra and Ranjit Sagar dams still have buffer capacity, Pong Dam has reached 1,378 feet. He added that controlled water release is being carried out after consultations with the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB).
In Kapurthala’s Bopur Tapu belt, breaches in locally raised embankments left nearly 3,000 out of 3,500 acres under water. Around 600 residents, including senior citizens and children, were evacuated to safer places. Relief camps have been set up in Sultanpur Lodhi and Bhulath, with health and veterinary teams deployed to assist displaced families.
Ferozepur district reported flooding in five riverine villages, with nearly 4,800 acres of farmland submerged. While state-built embankments remain intact, several community-made bunds have failed. Boat services have been arranged to keep Kaluval village connected.
In Fazilka, floodwaters damaged standing crops across nearly 6,400 acres in five villages near the international border.
The minister said the government is keeping a close watch on the evolving situation and assured that relief and rehabilitation operations are being carried out on priority.
