Punjab is facing one of its worst flood crises in decades, with devastation drawing comparisons to the catastrophic floods of 1988. Heavy monsoon rains have caused rivers including the Sutlej, Beas, and Ravi to overflow, submerging thousands of acres of farmland and marooning entire villages. Districts such as Gurdaspur, Pathankot, Hoshiarpur, Kapurthala, Amritsar, Tarn Taran, Fazilka, Ferozepur, and Ludhiana are among the worst affected.
For many, the current situation revives haunting memories of 1988, when between 600 and 1,500 people lost their lives and nearly three-quarters of the kharif crop was destroyed. Allegations of dam mismanagement are once again being raised, echoing the past when the opening of floodgates by the Bhakra Beas Management Board triggered widespread anger and led to the assassination of its then chief, Major General BN Kumar.
Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, who visited several affected areas, has described the floods as “unprecedented.” He assured that deputy commissioners in the flood-hit districts will intensify relief and rescue efforts, while a special damage assessment (girdawari) will ensure full compensation for losses.
While the death toll in Indian Punjab currently remains in single digits, the damage to homes, crops, and infrastructure is extensive. The state government has urged calm, promising timely assistance to all affected families.
As Punjab struggles against nature’s fury, the scars of 1988 serve as a grim reminder that preparedness and effective management are crucial to safeguarding lives and livelihoods.