Punjab Floods: PM Modi to Visit Tomorrow as Death Toll Reaches 48; Army, NDRF Lead Relief Efforts

New Delhi | Sept 08, 2025 Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Punjab on Tuesday, September 9, to review the devastating flood situation that has claimed at least 48 lives and damaged thousands of hectares of farmland. The Indian Army, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Border Security Force (BSF), Punjab Police, and district authorities are leading rescue and relief operations across the affected regions. Army, NDRF on the Frontline Dozens of Army columns have been deployed to flood-hit districts, working round the clock to rescue stranded residents and provide essential supplies. NDRF teams, local police, and volunteers, along with aid groups and celebrities, have also joined hands in the relief work. The operations are being carried out on a war footing as authorities struggle to manage the crisis. PM Modi’s Visit and State Monitoring BJP state president Sunil Jakhar confirmed that PM Modi will personally assess the ground situation during his visit. Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann, who was recently hospitalised due to exhaustion and low heart rate, continues to monitor the situation closely. Worst Floods in Decades Officials described the floods as among the worst in decades, caused by overflowing Sutlej, Beas, and Ravi rivers, as well as seasonal rivulets swollen by heavy rainfall in upstream Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir. While inflows into dams and river levels have marginally declined since Sunday, the situation remains critical in several districts. Casualties and Crop Loss The death toll rose to 48 on Sunday, with two more fatalities reported. According to state authorities, standing crops across 1.76 lakh hectares have been damaged, worsening the losses for farmers already struggling with previous rainfall impacts. Schools and Institutions to Reopen Despite the grim scenario, education minister Harjot Bains announced that schools, colleges, and universities would reopen from September 8. Government schools will resume classes from September 9, while private institutions have been permitted to restart earlier. In flood-affected areas, deputy commissioners will take the final call on closures. Dam Levels Easing Officials reported that the water level at the Pong dam on the Beas river fell by nearly two feet to 1,392.20 feet on Sunday, though it still exceeded its upper limit. The Bhakra dam on the Sutlej recorded a slight dip to 1,677.98 feet. Controlled releases continue to manage inflows, with nearly 90,000 cusecs discharged into the Shah Nehar barrage. Punjab remains on high alert as authorities brace for further challenges in the ongoing relief and rehabilitation phase. Punjab Floods: PM Modi to Visit, 48 Dead At least 48 people have lost their lives in the devastating floods across Punjab. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit the state on September 9 to review the situation. The Indian Army, NDRF, BSF, Punjab Police, and local authorities are leading large-scale rescue and relief operations, while volunteers and aid groups have joined in support. Thousands have been displaced, with crops on over 1.76 lakh hectares damaged by the deluge. Water levels in major dams have eased slightly but remain above safe limits. Authorities remain on high alert as Punjab battles one of its worst flood disasters in decades.