Jaibans Singh
NDRF and Army Carrying Out Rescue in Flood Hit Punjab
North India faced one of its worst floods in 40 years, due to high levels of monsoon rainfall this year. Excess rainfall was witnessed across India to an aggregate of 48 percent. In north India, particularly, the excess rainfall was recorded as Punjab -53%; Delhi – 52%; Himachal Pradesh – 50%; Jammu & Kashmir -48%; and Ladakh – 44%.
The main dams of the Punjab rivers to include Bhakra Dam on the River Sutlej, Pong Dam on the River Beas and Thein/Ranjit Sagar Dams on the River Ravi were compelled to release water which devastated the plains of Punjab.
On 03 September Punjab was declared a disaster-affected state by the government under the Disaster Management Act, 2025. All 23 districts of the state were declared as flood-affected.
As per latest statistics 55 people are reported dead and 4 are missing. 2319 villages and 3.89 lakh people have been affected. Nearly 2 two lakh hectares of farmland has been destroyed just weeks ahead of harvesting with widespread loss of livestock. Additionally, 23340 persons have been evacuated to relief camps, whose number is now going down. In the rehabilitation stage there is fear of outbreak of cholera, typhoid, hepatitis, dengue, and malaria. Farmers face financial hardship due to crop losses, degraded land and destroyed houses. The situation will increase burden of debt for survival.
Rescue and Relief Support by the Centre
The Union Government emerged as the first responder to the disaster situation by rushing in aid to Punjab. Apart from mobilising the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), instructions were also passed to the Army, Navy, Air Force and the Border Security Force (BSF) to assist in flood relief to whatever extent required.
- NDRF has sent 20 teams to support the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF)
- Army, Navy, and Air Force each deployed 10 columns, with an additional 8 on standby, along with their respective engineering units.
- More than 35 helicopters of the Armed Forces were involved in rescue operations, aided by 114 boats and a state-owned helicopter.
- BSF personnel have also been stationed in the affected border regions.
Support by the Civil Society
It was, however, the spontaneous support that the people of Punjab that emerged as a game-changer in the difficult situation. People from areas not affected by floods reached the flood prove areas. They helped with government bodies in the evacuation, established Langars (Food stations), helped the poor and the infirm, saved the livestock from drowning and gave whatever was required by the victims in terms to clothing, essential items, medicines etc.
Seen on ground were the workers and leaders of various political parties. However, the credit seeking and blame game that all political parties indulged in and continue to indulge in is uncalled for and in bad taste. It should be avoided.
Many national and international non-government organisations also joined in. Aid also flowed from neighbouring states, especially Haryana, Delhi, Rajasthan and from as far as Gujarat. NRIs have opened their hearts and their pockets and organisations on ground have no dearth of money.
It is because of the spirit of the people and timely support of government agencies like the NDRF, Indian Army, BSF and also the untiring efforts of the state civil administration, especially the District Commissioners, that the losses have been contained to a great degree.
Although even one life lost is not acceptable yet, in such circumstances, a lot more deaths than the existing figure of about 50 would have taken placed if help had not reached out in time.
Visit by Prime Minister Narendra Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacting with Flood Victims of Punjab
Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the flood affected areas of north India (Himachal Pradesh and Punjab) on 9 September. His visit was preceded by a visit by the Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan.
The prime minister conducted an aerial survey of the area before meeting the officials and flood affected persons. In Punjab, he held a review meeting with senior officials on the extent of damage; Punjab Chief Secretary, KAP Sinha gave him a presentation on the natural calamity. He also interacted with NDRF and SDRF personnel.
Relief Package Announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced an immediate financial assistance of 1600 crore rupees for the flood affected Punjab in addition to 12,000 crore rupees already in the state’s kitty.
Over and above the package he announced the following:
- Advance release of the second instalment of SDRF and PM Kisan Samman Nidhi.
- Ex-gratia of 2 lakh rupees to the next of kin of the deceased and 50,000 rupees to the seriously injured in the floods and natural calamity.
- Children orphaned due to these floods will be extended comprehensive support under the PM CARES for Children scheme. This will ensure their long-term welfare.
- Financial assistance will be extended under Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana – Gramin, as a special project for reconstruction of houses in rural areas damaged by the floods.
- Damaged government schools will be financially supported under the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan.
- Power connections will be given to farmer and their tube wells repaired.
Two central government teams, which visited to assess the damage caused by the floods in Punjab, are set to submit their reports to the central government after their tour. Based on the detailed report of these Inter-Ministerial Central teams further assistance will also be considered.
The Union Government has done all that was required of it in the flood rescue phase by releasing its assets of NDRF, Indian Armed Forces and BSF. It has also sent teams for assessment and reporting. The Centre has displayed its concern by back to back visits by the prime minister and the union agriculture minister. More ministers of the centre will visit Punjab regularly to assess the situation. The Union Government will do all that is required to ensure complete rehabilitation.
The Way Ahead
A Breach in the Embankment of River Sutlej
The State government should admit its failure in the following
- Due to negative politics of the Punjab government, the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) was compelled to maintain high reservoir levels in July–August, leaving little buffer for heavy rains in August–September.
- In August 2025, two gates of Madhopur Barrage on Ravi failed after sudden dam releases due to lack of maintenance and timely funds release by Punjab government.
- Poor maintenance and illegal mining have weakened flood protection structures and Embankments (Dhussi Bundhs).
- Failure to implement a 2024 flood-preparedness guidebook led to unmaintained canals, and clogged drainage systems obstructing natural water flow.
- Poor management and lack of cleanliness of drains, canals and choes, choked natural waterways, lack of green cover, illegal mining, and deforestation, illegal and mindless constructions in floodplains and riverbanks— have maximised the destruction brought in by floods.
An integrated approach needs to applied immediately in order to ensure that all resources coming into the state for the rehabilitation process are optimally utilised through a single coordinating agency. The haphazard system presently in place will lead to tremendous wastage and many in the remote areas will be left without assistance.
Donors are requested to come forward and assist but only after ensuring that their contributions will reach the intended population. Also there is a need to first find out what is essentially required and accordingly provide assistance. This can be done with the help of photos, videos and use of technology. The government needs to account for every single rupee that is received in the chief minister’s relief fund.
Even in the long term perspective, effort has to be made to reach out to the various central agencies to take whatever assistance has been promised by the prime minister and whatever is due to the state. This assistance will need to integrated with local resources coming from the government and civil society. It is only with an effort of this nature that a workable plan to reduce the impact of floods can be put in place.
Conclusion
The best way forward is a mature approach to the problem of flooding in Punjab. The matter has to be remain above politics with adoption of a “whole of Punjab” attitude. All political parties, civil society organisations, NGOS and other agencies need to work in a coordinated and transparent manner. The traditional negativity and blame-game that political parties indulge in needs to be replaced with a unified and positive integration of effort and resources.
The state government will need to take the initiative towards integrating all efforts and giving due credit to all those who deserve it even if they are political rivals. An attitude of this nature will see Punjab emerging from this calamity stronger than before