Punjab Flood Alert Intensifies as Dam Levels Peak and Rivers Spill Over, Rescue Teams Deployed”
Punjab faces escalating flood threats as the Pong, Ranjit Sagar, and Bhakra dams surge to critical levels, with Ranjit Sagar already breaching its danger mark and Bhakra approaching full capacity. Simultaneously, the Sutlej, Beas, and Ravi rivers have swollen, signaling widespread inundation ahead. Authorities have sounded red alerts across multiple districts including Pathankot, Gurdaspur, Amritsar, Hoshiarpur, Kapurthala, and Ferozpur. Rescue operations have been activated involving the Indian Army, BSF, NDRF, and state agencies. Early this morning, 22 people including CRPF personnel were airlifted from the Madhopur headworks in Pathankot. In Gurdaspur’s Navodaya Vidyalaya at Daburi, nearly 400 students and staff were trapped due to floodwaters rising above the ground floor. The Ravi river’s discharge remains exceptionally high, reaching approximately 4.6 lakh cusecs, overwhelming embankments and causing widespread flooding across Amritsar, Pathankot, and Gurdaspur. Controlled water releases continue, compounding local challenges. Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann toured the affected areas by road, leaving his helicopter grounded for use in relief missions, underscoring government commitment. A central flood control room has been established in Jalandhar, and a high-level committee will oversee flood-management efforts. Relief camps have been mobilized, schools closed, and travel restrictions are in place across vulnerable zones. Connectivity remains a critical issue as roads are submerged and infrastructure damaged.
In a decisive move to safeguard students, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann announced the closure of all government and private schools from August 27 to 30, citing relentless rainfall and the escalating risk of flood disaster across the state. The closure order came as satellite imagery and reports from the drainage department revealed widespread flooding in 15 districts, including Pathankot, Gurdaspur, Hoshiarpur, Kapurthala, Ferozepur, Jalandhar, and Ludhiana. Rivers Sutlej, Beas, and Ravi breached their danger marks after heavy rainfall in the catchment areas and surplus water releases from Pong and Bhakra dams. Agricultural fields in villages such as Motla, Haler Janardhan (Hoshiarpur), and the Ropar-Phillaur belt saw severe inundation, with over 35,000 acres at risk. State disaster response teams, supported by NDRF and the Army, conducted rescue and relief missions, particularly in locations with submerged schools and homes. District administrations began emergency evacuations from low-lying and embankment areas, while officials issued advisories against unnecessary travel. Special flood control centers were activated, and crop damage assessments initiated to expedite compensation for affected farmers.
