The seasonal lifeline of India, the monsoon, turned disastrous in 2025 in Punjab. Long regarded as the “breadbasket of India,” Punjab produces nearly 18 per cent of the country’s wheat and 12 per cent of its rice in the central pool. However, this year, heavy rains and overflowing rivers have besieged the state, causing the worst floods in over four decades, submerging fields, paralysing cities, and displacing communities.
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A Deluge Beyond Memory
Punjab experienced above-average rainfall, reaching 67% of the normal amount in July and August 2025, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). Rivers such as the Sutlej, Beas, and Ghaggar rose above dangerous levels, prompting dams like Bhakra and Pong to discharge excess water. Over 1,800 villages in 19 districts were affected, and at least 3.2 million people faced disruptions to their daily lives.
The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) reported that more than 400,000 individuals needed to be evacuated. For many families, the floods struck suddenly, leaving residents stranded on rooftops as floodwaters rose by up to 10 feet in the lowlands.
Agriculture Drowned
The agrarian sector in Punjab has suffered greatly. The Punjab Agriculture Department estimates that over 520,000 hectares of farmland have been destroyed. Paddy crops, which were nearly ready for harvest, were wiped out, leading to a potential loss of 25-30 per cent of the kharif season’s output. The financial loss is severe. Initial estimates by the government suggest around 12,000 crore rupees (about 1.5 billion dollars) have been lost in agriculture alone.
This is another blow to farmers who are already struggling under the weight of debt, amid one of the highest rates of farmer suicides in India. One Sangrur farmer complained: “We spent almost Rs. 60,000 per acre on this crop. The water has now completely destroyed everything. It will even take years before the soil recovers.”
Urban Chaos and Displacement
Cities such as Patiala, Ludhiana, and Jalandhar were flooded. Ludhiana recorded 400 mm of rain in 72 hours, the highest it had experienced in decades. Highways turned into rivers, and railway services on 50 routes were suspended.
More than 65,000 homes were reported damaged or destroyed, and hospitals were overwhelmed with increased cases of leptospirosis, cholera, and dengue. The state health department reported a 30 per cent rise in waterborne diseases two weeks after the floods.
Over 600 relief camps were set up, and nearly 150,000 displaced people were sheltered. However, shortages of food, clean water, and medicines were common in most camps.
Infrastructure Under Siege
Punjab suffered the worst damage to its infrastructure during the flood. The Public Works Department (PWD) documented over 3,200 km of roads and railways lost, with damages costing over rupees 800 crore ($96 million) in submerged tracks and broken bridges.
The Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) acknowledged that more than 2,500 electricity transformers were destroyed, leaving large portions of the state in darkness for weeks. Analysts warn that Punjab’s flood management systems, most of which were built in the 1960s, are badly outdated in the face of current climate realities.
Climate Change: The Unseen Culprit
Scientists have attributed the floods to an unpredictable climate. According to the report of the Centre of Science and Environment (CSE), extreme rainfall patterns in northwest India have increased by 32 per cent over the last 20 years. The Himalayas have also experienced melting glaciers, which have augmented the volume of rivers.
The wetlands of Punjab, which were once used as natural buffer zones, have decreased by more than 33 per cent in area since 1990 due to urbanisation and encroachment. This reduction has decreased the land’s capacity to absorb floodwaters, thereby worsening the extent of destruction.
Government Response and People’s Anger.
The Punjab government declared the floods a state disaster and requested Rs 15,000 crore ($1.8 billion) in central relief. Over 12,000 personnel participated in rescue operations through the NDRF, Army, and Air Force. More than 250 boats and 30 helicopters were deployed for evacuations.
On the financial front, the state has assured Rs 10,000 per acre as compensation to affected farmers and Rs 4 lakh ($4,800) to the families of those who died. However, criticism persists. Locals accuse authorities of relief delays and a system of corruption in distributing aid. Civil society actors argue that warnings from experts about flawed embankments were repeatedly ignored.
Human Stories of Resilience
It is from the chaos that the spirit of Punjab has emerged. Sikh gurdwaras were widespread across the state, distributing over 1 million free meals every day to flood victims. Volunteers set up medical camps, and farmers in unaffected areas provided fodder to stranded cows. A memorable account from the village of Ropar recounts how residents built temporary bamboo bridges overnight to save children in a flooded school. These stories of unity highlight Punjab’s enduring resilience.
Lessons for the Future
Punjab’s floods reveal key lessons: upgrade infrastructure with stronger embankments and drainage, adopt climate-resilient designs, promote crop diversification from water-heavy paddy to less vulnerable crops, and improve urban planning by curbing illegal floodplain encroachments and restoring wetlands. Expand early flood warning systems through mobile alerts and community radio, and increase financial support, such as crop insurance, which currently covers less than 35% of farmers, to mitigate flood impacts.
A Call for Preparedness
The monsoon floods of 2025 have scarred Punjab, causing over 500 deaths, billions in losses, and an agricultural crisis that will ripple across India’s food supply. Yet, they also serve as a wake-up call.
For a state that feeds the nation, survival now hinges on adapting to a new climate reality. Only a mix of better infrastructure, sustainable agriculture, and community preparedness can ensure that Punjab’s fertile lands remain a blessing rather than a recurring battleground against ruthless monsoons.
