Punjab Floods 2025: Worst Since 1988, 37 Dead, All 23 Districts Affected
Punjab is facing its most severe flood crisis in decades, with reports confirming the death toll has risen to 37. All 23 districts of the state are under the grip of floods, making this the worst disaster since 1988.
The major rivers—Sutlej, Beas, and Ravi—are flowing well above the danger mark. This alarming rise in water levels is a result of heavy to very heavy rainfall over the past few days in the catchment areas of Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir. Adding to the misery, several districts within Punjab have also been lashed by torrential rain, worsening the situation further.
Kashmir Flood Alert: Jhelum River Crosses Danger Mark, Schools Shut in Anantnag, Pampore, Srinagar
Among the worst-hit regions are Gurdaspur, Pathankot, Fazilka, Kapurthala, Tarn Taran, Firozpur, Hoshiarpur, and Amritsar. The floods have caused large-scale damage to crops, with nearly 1.5 lakh hectares of farmland submerged, leaving farmers in distress.
Daily Forecast: Weather update and forecast for September 05 across India
Authorities are hopeful of some respite as the weather is expected to improve gradually. For the next few days, heavy rainfall is not likely, which should allow relief and rescue operations to proceed more smoothly.
Skymet attributes this devastating flood situation to a combination of successive western disturbances and a cyclonic circulation over Pakistan and adjoining Jammu & Kashmir. This system, a remnant of a low-pressure area from the Bay of Bengal, drew in abundant moisture from both the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal. The interaction of these weather systems with humid winds over the western Himalayas and Punjab-Haryana plains triggered relentless heavy rain, ultimately leading to widespread flooding. Looking ahead, rainfall activity may resume over parts of Punjab around September 8 or 9. However, the intensity is expected to remain moderate, which will help in further easing the flood situation.
