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Punjab, Haryana reel under intense cold as dense fog envelops many areas
CHANDIGARH: Punjab and Haryana are reeling under intense cold while dense fog enveloped many areas in both states on Saturday. Ballowal Saunkhri in Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar district was the coldest place in Punjab, recording a low of 4.4 degrees Celsius, according to a report of the local meteorological department. Among other areas in Punjab, Amritsar recorded a low of 5.1 degrees Celsius, two degrees above normal. Ludhiana shivered at 4.6 degrees Celsius while Patiala's minimum was 7 degrees Celsius. Pathankot, Bathinda, Faridkot and Gurdaspur recorded their respective lows of 5.4, 6, 4.9 and 5.8 degrees Celsius. Chandigarh, the joint capital of the two states, recorded a minimum of 6.9 degrees Celsius. In neighbouring Haryana, Gurugram was the coldest place with a low of 4.9 degrees Celsius. The minimum temperature in Ambala was recorded at 9.3 degrees Celsius, three degrees above normal, while Hisar's low was 5 degrees Celsius. Karnal recorded a low of 8 degrees Celsius, two degrees above normal. Narnaul, Rohtak, Bhiwani and Sirsa registered minimum temperatures of 5.5, 7.2, 6.5 and 7 degrees Celsius, respectively.
Long-distance bus travel offers cleaner air than polluted cities in winter: Study
NEW DELHI: A new study by Respirer Living Sciences in collaboration with IntrCity SmartBus has found that long-distance bus travel during winter exposes passengers to significantly cleaner air compared to the severely polluted conditions in many north and central Indian cities . The study, conducted from December 7 to 14, 2025, covered 11 intercity routes across the country and is Indias first to measure real-time air quality inside long-distance buses. Its findings show that passengers spent up to 80% of their travel time breathing air with PM2.5 levels below 60 micrograms per cubic metre (g/m). Across most routes, around 6080% of the journey duration recorded PM2.5 levels under 60 g/m, indicating generally acceptable in-cabin air quality during transit. The analysis suggests that air filtration and in-cabin air systems play a crucial role in reducing passenger exposure to pollution, even while travelling through heavily polluted corridors in northern and central India. The study notes that while pollution spikes did occur, they were short-lived and intermittent. Overall, a substantial share of bus travel took place under low to moderate PM2.5 levels, offering a relatively cleaner breathing environment compared to outdoor city air during winter. Route-wise data showed particularly favourable conditions on sectors such as DelhiKanpur, PuneNagpur, PuneBangalore, DelhiLucknow, PathankotDelhi, DelhiKatra, and KatraDelhi, where PM2.5 levels remained below 60 g/m for more than 80% of the travel time. In contrast, the DelhiPathankot and LucknowDelhi routes recorded slightly higher exposure, with over 20% of travel time exceeding the 60 g/m threshold. Even on routes with relatively higher pollution, exposure to PM2.5 concentrations above 90 g/m was generally limited to a small portion of the journeyoften less than 1015% of total travel time. According to the study, these brief pollution peaks are likely linked to short-term external factors such as traffic congestion or localised pollution hotspots. Researchers said the findings provide a detailed picture of passenger exposure to particulate pollution during long-distance road travel and add a new dimension to discussions on mobility and public health in India. The study is the first publicly shared evidence of real-time air quality conditions inside long-distance buses in the country. As North India chokes, there can be no hiding 'behind the smokescreen of farm fires anymore'
Punjab rural election results: The ruling AAP in Punjab won the zila parishad polls and was also surging in majority of the zones of panchayat samiti. Congress secured the second spot and BJP managed to win 4 zones of the zila parishad in Pathankot. Punjab Congress Chief accused the AAP government of stealing polls.
Punjab Police arrests two gangster-turned-terrorists linked with BKI from Mumbai
CHANDIGARH: In a major inter-state operation carried out in coordination with central agencies, Punjab Police have arrested two gangster-turned-terrorists linked to the banned outfit Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) from Mumbai, officials said on Monday. The arrested men have been identified as Sajan Masih, a resident of Veroke village in Gurdaspur district, and Sukhdev Kumar alias Munish Bedi, a resident of Lahori Gate in Amritsar. Both were allegedly operating from overseas locations before their arrest. Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav said the two accused had a long criminal history, with multiple cases registered against them for murder, attempt to murder, offences under the Arms Act, use of explosives, and provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) at police stations in Batala and Amritsar. According to Yadav, the arrested men were key operatives of Pakistan-based ISI-supported terrorist Harvinder Singh alias Rinda and USA-based BKI operative Harpreet Singh alias Happy Passia, who is currently detained. They were operating from overseas locations, including Dubai and Armenia, while attempting to orchestrate criminal and terror activities in Punjab, he said. The DGP said Punjab Police had issued Look Out Circulars (LOCs) and Red Corner Notices against several wanted criminals who had taken refuge abroad, which helped in tracking and apprehending the two accused. Preliminary investigations have revealed that the duo was part of a BKI-linked network responsible for multiple grenade attacks on police stations in Amritsar and Batala, as well as the killings of Hardeep Singh of Jourrian Kalan and Ravi Kumar, a kiryana store owner from Dera Baba Nanak. Yadav added that Sajan Masih was also coordinating with another key associate, Shamsher Shera alias Honey, who is currently based in Armenia. Sharing operational details, AIG SSOC Amritsar Sukhminder Singh Mann said the arrests were made following specific intelligence inputs developed in close coordination with central agencies. A joint team of the State Special Operations Cell (SSOC), Amritsar, and Counter Intelligence, Pathankot, was swiftly dispatched to Mumbai and took the accused into custody immediately after they landed from abroad. Mann said the arrested men were actively involved in providing logistical support, funding channels and strategic direction to foot soldiers operating in Punjab. Both accused have been arrested in connection with FIR No. 47 dated August 25, 2025, registered under Sections 25, 29 and 30 of the Arms Act and Section 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) at Police Station SSOC Amritsar.
Govt Says 15 Airports Under UDAN Scheme Are Temporarily Non-Operational
At present, fifteen airports, namely Pathankot, Pakyong, Kushinagar, Aligarh, Azamgarh, Chitrakoot, Shravasti, Moradabad, Bhavnagar, Ambikapur, Rourkela, Ludhiana, Datia, Kalaburagi and Shimla are temporarily non-operational under the UDAN scheme: Murlidhar Mohol
13 Injured As Bus Rams Into Flyover Pillar Near Jammu
JAMMU, Nov 27: At least thirteen passengers were injured on Thursday when a bus rammed into a pillar of an under-construction flyover on the Jammu-Pathankot national highway here, police said. According to the officials, the incident occurred near the Bari Brahmana area when the bus, travelling from Jammu to Kathua, hit the pillar after the driver reportedly lost control of the vehicle, allegedly due to overspeeding. All the injured were taken to a nearby hospital, they said. The post 13 Injured As Bus Rams Into Flyover Pillar Near Jammu appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
Established under a strategic collaboration between Starbucks Coffee Company & Tata Starbucks, the FSP aims to empower 10,000 Indian coffee farmers by 2030 Starbucks will open its 500th coffeehouse in India this week in Delhi NCR a Starbucks Reserve location offering a premium and immersive coffee experience Reaffirming its long-term commitment to India, and its plans to deepen its coffee leadership in the market, Starbucks Coffee Company today announced the establishment of a Farmer Support Partnership (FSP). In collaboration with Tata Starbucks Private Limited, the FSP will connect local agronomists and farmers to global farming best practices through open-source agronomy. Starbucks Coffee Company and Tata Starbucks re-affirm coffee leadership and announce a Farmer Support Partnership (FSP) to strengthen the coffee value chain from Bean to Cup Strengthening Indias coffee value chain from bean to cup Starbucks Coffee Trading Company, SARL (SCTC), Starbucks global procurement and trading subsidiary, will collaborate closely with Tata Starbucks to empower 10,000 farmers by 2030. The FSP based in Karnataka will combine Tata Starbucks deep local knowledge, Indias coffee-growing heritage, and decades of Starbucks global agronomy expertise. It will support farmers from Indias key coffee growing states including Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala to strengthen connections with Starbucks global network, drive innovation, and share best practices in farming and sustainability to ensure a sustainable future for India coffee. The FSP will set up technical model farms in partnership with farmers in India, incorporating global learnings, to embed best practices in coffee agronomy and test sustainable solutions. The FSP in India will serve as a hub for testing new varietals, provide knowledge on innovative farming techniques aligned to Indian practices and conditions, and share insights about other agroforestry initiatives to improve coffee quality, productivity and climate resiliency. The goal is to build upon traditional methods to help farmers improve both the quality of their crops and their profitability. The FSP will work closely with existing centers of excellence within the Starbucks global network. This includes partnering with Farmer Support Centers (FSC) in coffee-growing regions around the world, where agronomists collaborate directly with farmers on research, and learning from existing model farms within Starbucks supply chain. This network includes FSCs in the APAC region in North Sumatra, Indonesia and Yunnan, China and Hacienda Alsacia in Costa Rica, Starbucks first company-operated coffee farm and headquarters to the Starbucks Costa Rica Farmer Support Center and Starbucks Global Research and Development team. Through the FSP, Indian farmers will also benefit from Starbucks 2026 global digital training tools, which will offer detailed online modules on agronomy, coffee quality, and C.A.F.E. (Coffee and Farmer Equity) practices to foster ethical sourcing and ultimately enhance productivity and sustainability. It will also educate farmers about Regen-Ag (regenerative agriculture) practices and methods to reduce carbon, water, and waste footprints, and contribute to agroforestry and social development initiatives. The FSP will develop projects across the key Starbucks commitments of unlocking coffee productivity, increasing farm profitability and building climate resiliency over the next 5 years. To build capability and strengthen Indias entire coffee value chain, Tata Starbucks will also donate one million high-yield variety Arabica seedlings to farmers over the next five years. During his visit to India this week, Brian Niccol, chairman and chief executive officer of Starbucks said, India is one of our fastest-growing markets. Were partnering with Tata to shape the future of coffee in India, including supporting farmers, empowering communities, and delivering the highest quality offerings to our customers. Its a long-term commitment to build a stronger, more sustainable coffee ecosystem that benefits everyone, from bean to cup . Sunil D'Souza, Managing Director & CEO at Tata Consumer Products said, Through the past decade, together, Tata Consumer Products and Starbucks, have helped shape Indias thriving coffee culture and industry. With this new initiative, we are pleased to pair Starbucks global agronomy expertise with Tatas footprint in India to drive tangible impact and pave the way for the future of responsible coffee farming in India . Re-affirming Starbucks coffee leadership through differentiated and elevated experiences Since its inception in 2012 as a joint venture between Starbucks Coffee Company and Tata Consumer Products, Tata Starbucks has been dedicated to delivering the unique Starbucks Experience to customers in India. This has set the stage for Indias ever evolving and dynamic coffee culture. This week, Tata Starbucks will celebrate the opening of its 500th coffeehouse in India, marking a significant milestone in its growth journey and reaffirming its long-term commitment to the market. As one of Starbucks fastest-growing international markets, India remains central to the companys plans for strategic and sustainable expansion, with continued focus on job creation and meaningful development opportunities for its partners (employees). The 500th coffeehouse will be the second location to offer a Starbucks Reserve coffee experience in Delhi NCR, engaging coffee enthusiasts with an immersive experience that showcases Starbucks coffee craft, heritage, and storytelling. The coffeehouse and its Starbucks Reserve experience underscore Tata Starbucks commitment to elevating Indias coffee craftsmanship through elevated store design, handcrafted beverages, and locally inspired innovations. As part of the global strategy to make Starbucks a welcoming coffeehouse where people gather to enjoy the finest coffee handcrafted by skilled baristas, Tata Starbucks will continue to focus on creating a differentiated and elevated coffee forward experience in India. It invites customers to experience the full flavor profile it offers - serving the worlds finest coffee and elevated offerings in a welcoming coffeehouse environment that has made it a beloved part of Indias coffee landscape. Sushant Dash, chief executive officer of Tata Starbucks said, As the largest specialty coffee player in India, we are proud to bring the Farmer Support Partnership in collaboration with SCTC, a meaningful step toward strengthening Indias coffee-growing community and securing the future of high-quality Arabica. Our commitment to India extends beyond growth, to investing in farmers, partners (employees) and customers to continue building a vibrant coffee culture. We will continue to serve the finest Arabica coffee from India and around the world, brought to life through the warm, welcoming third place experience that defines Starbucks . About Starbucks Since 1971, Starbucks Coffee Company has been committed to ethically sourcing and roasting high-quality arabica coffee. Today, with more than 40,000 stores worldwide, the company is the premier roaster and retailer of specialty coffee in the world. Through our unwavering commitment to excellence and our guiding principles, we bring the unique Starbucks Experience to life for every customer through every cup. To share in the experience, please visit us in our stores or online at about.starbucks.com or starbucks.com . About Tata Starbucks Private Limited Starbucks entered the Indian market in October 2012 through a 50/50 Joint Venture with Tata Consumer Products Limited and currently operates more than 497 stores in India across 81 cities, Agra, Ahmedabad, Ajmer, Alibaug, Amritsar, Anand, Aurangabad, Bangalore, Bhatinda, Bhopal, Bhubaneswar, Calicut, Chandigarh, Chennai, Dehradun, Faridabad, Gandhinagar, Ghaziabad, Goa, Guntur, Gurgaon, Guwahati, Gwalior Haridwar, Hyderabad, Coimbatore, Indore, Jaipur, Jalandhar, Jodhpur, Kanpur, Kochi, Kolhapur, Kolkata, Lonavala, Lucknow, Ludhiana, Mangalore, Meerut, Mumbai, Mussoorie, Mysore, Nagpur, Nashik, New Delhi, Noida, Pathankot, Patiala, Pondicherry, Pune, Raipur, Siliguri, Sonipat, Surat, Thrissur, Trivandrum, Udaipur, Vadodara, Vapi, Varanasi, Vijayawada, Varanasi and Vizag are cities in India. through a network of over 4,437 passionate partners (employees). Starbucks stores are operated by the joint venture, Tata Starbucks Private Limited, and branded as Starbucks Coffee - A TATA Alliance.
Jammu/Pathankot/Chandigarh, Nov 20: The Nagar Kirtan commemorating the 350th Martyrdom Anniversary of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji received a heartfelt and spiritual welcome from the sangat in Jammu before proceeding towards Pathankot on Wednesday. Devotees walked barefoot alongside the procession during the late-night reception and todays onward journey. A special stopover was arranged at Gurdwara [] The post Guru Tegh Bahadur Jis Martyrdom Anniversay: Nagar Kirtan gets warm reception in Jammu, proceeds towards Pathankot appeared first on Northlines .
Mann, Kejriwal, Omar Abdullah Take Part In Sikh Religious Procession In Srinagar
Chandigarh, Nov 19: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, Aam Aadmi Party national convener Arvind Kejriwal and Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday participated in a nagar kirtan (religious procession) in Srinagar as part of the commemorative events to mark 350th martyrdom anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadur. The procession, which started from Gurdwara Chhevin Patshahi in Srinagar, will reach Punjabs Sri Anandpur Sahib on November 22 after halting at Jammu on November 19, Pathankot on November 20 and [] The post Mann, Kejriwal, Omar Abdullah Take Part In Sikh Religious Procession In Srinagar appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
CHANDIGARH: The Punjab Cabinet has approved a new farmhouse policy for land parcels de-listed under the Punjab Land Preservation Act (PLPA) in the environmentally sensitive Kandi region of the lower Shivalik Hills, stretching from SAS Nagar to Pathankot. The move aims to regularise authorised structures and is expected to rescue numerous influential individuals, including politicians and senior bureaucrats, who own properties in these areas. The policy establishes a standardised and transparent framework for the regularisation of existing structures and for permitting new low-impact residential units on de-listed lands. It stipulates a minimum plot size of 4,000 square yards and imposes strict controls such as a low Floor Area Ratio (FAR), limited site coverage, and a restriction to ground-plus-one construction. To ensure environmental protection, the policy mandates robust safeguards, including plantation of indigenous species, use of sustainable building materials, rainwater harvesting, and solar energy systems. A committee headed by Secretary, Housing, Vikas Garg, was constituted on the directions of Chief Secretary KAP Sinha to frame guidelines for regularisation of authorised structures. The biggest beneficiaries are expected to be those who own land or have already constructed farmhouses in the periphery of Chandigarh. According to sources, the government was under pressure from a powerful lobby, as many VIPs had already built farmhouses on de-listed land and were facing demolition notices for violating housing norms. Forest department sources noted that the policy had faced hurdles due to the Periphery Act, the proposed Sukhna eco-sensitive zone, and Supreme Court guidelines governing land use in areas removed from PLPA protection. The Eco-Tourism Development Committee reportedly rejected around 90 regularisation applications, stating that the existing structures violated guidelines. Forest officials maintain that Supreme Court directions must be upheld to protect forest and wildlife norms. Other decisions The Cabinet also approved a policy, modelled on that of the Department of Industry and Commerce, for fragmentation or subdivision of industrial plots under the Housing and Urban Development Department. This aims to bring parity between the two departments. Subdivision of industrial plots into two or more units will be permitted, provided no sub-plot measures less than 500 square yards. Approval was also given to launch the Navi Dishaa scheme to address menstrual hygiene and provide free sanitary napkins to adolescent girls and vulnerable women. The initiative will emphasise awareness, education, behavioural change, and distribution of free sanitary napkins to women aged 1544, especially school dropouts, BPL households, slum dwellers, itinerant communities, and homeless women. The Cabinet further granted approval to summon the 10th (Special) Session of the 16th Punjab Vidhan Sabha at Anandpur Sahib on 24 November, as part of events commemorating the 350th martyrdom day of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur. The session will be held at Bhai Jaita Ji. In another significant decision, the Cabinet enhanced the retirement age for administrative posts filled through promotion from the Medical Teaching Faculty in the Department of Medical Education and Research (MER) from 62 to 65 years. The move aligns Punjab with Haryana, Chandigarh (UT), and Union Government institutions, and is expected to improve faculty retention and institutional stability amid expanding medical colleges. The government also approved the creation of a separate cadre for postings in the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB). Many Punjab quota posts have remained vacant, leading the Board to fill them with its own staff. The Cabinet has sanctioned 2,458 posts across various departments and approved relevant service rules. Additionally, approval has been granted to recruit 311 nurses in the Health and Family Welfare Department. This measure underscores the states commitment to strengthening public healthcare infrastructure. Recruitment of more than 400 additional nurses is under way, with all new staff expected to join by the first week of December. The government has already completed the recruitment of 800 doctors through a transparent process to meet rising healthcare demands. Over 175 specialist doctors have been appointed in key disciplines, including paediatrics, medicine, obstetrics and gynaecology, and surgery. Taken together, these efforts constitute one of Punjabs largest recent healthcare recruitment drives, aimed at ensuring timely, accessible, and high-quality health services for all.
Delhi blast: Agencies detain three doctors, two fertilizer sellers for alleged terror links
CHANDIGARH: A surgeon from Pathankot in Punjab, who had earlier worked at Al-Falah University, has been detained in the Delhi Red Fort blast . Additionally, two doctors from Nuh and two fertilizer and seed sellers were picked up from Sohna in Haryana. The Al-Falah University in Faridabad continues to remain under the scanner of multiple central and state agencies, with revenue officials checking the university's land records and measurements. Meanwhile, the National Medical Commission (NMC) has cancelled the registrations of the four doctors involved in the terror module behind the blast on November 10. Sources said that 45-year old Dr Rayees Ahmad Bhat, who is presently associated with White Medical College in Pathankot, was detained by the central agencies and is being questioned after investigators found that he was allegedly in touch with Dr Umar Nabi the main master mind of the Delhi Red Fort blast in which a dozen people died. Bhat worked at the Al-Falah University from 2020 to 2021. The investigators found that Dr Bhat was in regular touch with staff at the university. Sources said Bhat was taken into custody to establish facts and to ascertain whether he was part of the white collar terror module that was allegedly supported by the Jaish-e-Mohammed and Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind. One of the accused had called him on the phone, an official said on condition of anonymity. On Friday evening, two doctors from Nuh and two fertiliser and seed sellers from Sohna were detained for questioning. Sources said that a doctor Mustkim, a resident of Sunhera village in Nuh district, was picked up for questioning. He had reportedly completed his MBBS and was doing his apprenticeship at Al-Falah University, which ended on November 2. He allegedly travelled to Delhi on November 9. Dr Rehan, a former student of Al-Falah University who is currently employed with a private hospital in Nuh, was also detained. However, neither police nor Central agencies have officially confirmed their detention. Sources said that two fertilizer and seed store owners were detained from the new grain market in Sohna over suspicion that they might have sold chemicals to individuals connected to the terror module. The development has triggered strict restrictions in Gurugram on fertiliser distribution. An investigation officer confirmed the detentions, saying the two traders were picked up for questioning. Meanwhile, the National Medical Commission (NMC) has cancelled the registrations of the four doctors. In a notice, the commission cancelled the Indian Medical Register (IMR) and National Medical Register (NMR) entries of four doctors -- Dr Muzaffar Ahmad, Dr Adeel Ahmad Rather, Dr Muzamil Shakeel and Dr Shaheen Saeed -- with immediate effect, said sources. In its notice, the NMC cited charges mentioned in FIRs and said Ahmad, Rather and Shakeel, who were registered with the Jammu and Kashmir Medical Council, were found to be involved on the basis of evidence collected by investigating agencies. Their alleged conduct, the commission noted, was prima facie inconsistent with the standards of ethical propriety, integrity and public trust expected of medical professionals under the Indian Medical Council (Professional Conduct, Etiquette and Ethics) Regulations, 2002. These doctors can no longer practise medicine or hold any medical appointment anywhere in India, the notice read. The land records of the university have also come under scrutiny. A revenue team comprising patwaris visited the campus in Dhauj yesterday and measured land parcels. A measurement of the land is under process to clarify if any encroachment by the university. It will also be clarifying how the university administration takes the panchayati land on which condition and norms, said an officer.
Delhi blast case: 45-year-old surgeon detained from Pathankot for questioning
On Monday, agencies busted a white collar terror module with links to terrorist outfits Jaish-e-Mohammed and Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind and spread across Jammu and Kashmir, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh. They seized 2,900 kilograms of explosive substances and arrested eight people, including three doctors linked to Al Falah University.
Red Fort Blast Probe: Another Doctor Who Worked At Al-Falah University Detained
Police detained a White Medical College professor from Pathankot over possible links to the Delhi Red Fort blast.
Masood Azhar: Mumbai, Parliament, Pathankot, Pulwama Attacks...Now Delhi
The blast that ripped through the heart of Delhi on November 10 has renewed focus on Masood Azhar, one of the most prominent terror faces from across the border.
Armys Western Commander Reviews Preparedness In Jammu-Pathankot Sector
Jammu, Nov 7: Armys Western Commander Lt Gen Manoj Kumar Katiyar on Friday reviewed the operational preparedness of troops deployed in forward areas along the Jammu-Pathankot sector, officials said. The review by the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief comes as the troops prepare for the winter months to effectively counter threats posed by terrorists operating in the higher reaches and forest belts in the Jammu sector. Lt Gen Katiyar reviewed the operational preparedness of troops deployed in forward areas of Jammu, Kathua, [] The post Armys Western Commander Reviews Preparedness In Jammu-Pathankot Sector appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
Punjab: 122 stubble burning cases recorded on October 26; highest single day spike this season
CHANDIGARH: Punjab recorded 122 new cases of stubble burning, marking the highest single-day spike this year. This takes the total count this season to 743. This is the first time in 2025 that the state recorded farm fire incidents in three digits. Approximately 58 per cent of the total 31.7 lakh hectares of paddy have been harvested across the state till now. In the coming days, crop residue might increase as farmers harvesting the crop after November 2 will have a limited window to sow wheat. As per the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) data, Tarn Taran and Amritsar districts contributed the bulk of cases, as many farmers continued to disregard the state government's appeal to stop crop residue burning. Of the 122 crop residue incidents, nearly 70 were reported from the south Malwa region. The highest farm fire incidents were reported from Tarn Taran at 224, followed by Amritsar 154, Ferozepur 80, Sangrur 47, Patiala 39, Gurdaspur 38, Kapurthala 29, Mansa, Moga and Ludhiana 8 respectively, Barnala 6, Maelrkotla 4, Hoshiarpur 3 and SBS Nagar 2. Meanwhile, Pathankot and Rupnagar districts have not reported any stubble-burning incidents so far. The state has seen a sharp jump in stubble-burning cases in the past week, from 353 cases recorded till October 20 to 390, the data showed. This comes even as data from the Centres Decision Support System (DSS) showed the estimated contribution of stubble burning to Delhis pollution touched a season-high of 3.71 per cent on Sunday. Farm fires can contribute up to 35 per cent of Delhis total PM 2.5 levels when stubble burning touches its peak, usually in the first week of November. 241 stubble burning cases in Punjab from September 15 to October 18: Data Agriculture scientists have cautioned that farmers are more likely to resort to burning crop residue to prepare fields quickly as the time window of wheat sowing is shrinking. According to the Punjab Agricultural University, wheat sowing must ideally be completed by November 15 to ensure optimal yield. Till now, only 58 percent of the total 31.7 lakh hectares under paddy has been harvested, while farmers harvesting after November 1 will have a very limited window to sow wheat, which may lead to a surge in stubble burning in the coming days, said an official of the Punjab agriculture department. Meanwhile, paddy harvesting in Amritsar and Tarn Taran has touched the 85 per cent mark, but in Muktsar, Ferozepur, Barnala, Bathinda, Ludhiana, Sangrur, Mansa and Ferozepur districts, known for high-yield paddy cultivation, which contributes the most to stubble burning, is still below 50 per cent mark. Punjab Police have so far registered 266 FIRs against farmers for violating stubble-burning norms. Of these, 73 FIRs have been lodged in Tarn Taran alone, the district reporting the highest number of farm fire incidents. The farmers have been booked under Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for disobedience to an order duly promulgated by a public servant. Fines amounting to Rs 16.80 lakh have been imposed as environmental compensation in 329 cases, of which Rs 12 lakh has been collected. Also, 296 red entries have been marked, including 108 in Tarn Taran and 68 in Amritsar, in the land records of farmers who burnt crop residues. A red entry bars the farmers from getting loans against their farmland or selling it. The total area under paddy cultivation in Punjab this year is 31.72 lakh hectares. Till October 26, 56.50 per cent of this area had been harvested. Punjab saw 10,909 farm fires in 2024 as compared to 36,663 in 2023, marking a 70 per cent drop. The state recorded 49,922 farm fire events in 2022, 71,304 in 2021, 76,590 in 2020, 55,210 in 2019 and 50,590 in 2018, with many districts, including Sangrur, Mansa, Bathinda and Amritsar, reporting a large number of stubble-burning incidents.
Automatic Ticket Vending Machines Installed at 5 Major Railway Stations in Jammu Division
JAMMU, Oct 22: To enhance passenger convenience during the festive season, Automatic Ticket Vending Machines (ATVMs) have been installed at five key railway stations in the Jammu division, officials said on Wednesday. The machines are now operational at Pathankot Cantonment, Pathankot City, Jammu, Shahid Captain Tushar Mahajan (Udhampur), and Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra stations. [] The post Automatic Ticket Vending Machines Installed at 5 Major Railway Stations in Jammu Division appeared first on Northlines .
Samba (Jammu), Oct 19: A Special Police Officer (SPO) was crushed to death by a speeding truck along the Jammu-Pathankot highway in Samba district, the police said on Sunday. SPO Rahul Singh was on duty at a checkpoint in the Vijaypur area when he was hit around Saturday midnight. He died on the spot, they [] The post SPO crushed to death by truck appeared first on Northlines .
6 Nabbed For Robbing Construction Site In Jammu, Thrashing Guards, Workers
Jammu, Oct 15: Six people were arrested for allegedly attacking guards and workers at a construction site in Samba and robbing types of building material, police on Wednesday said. A complaint in the matter was filed on Monday by Sudhir, a representative of Shivalaya Construction Limited, they said. According to the complaint, on the night of October 12-13, an around dozen-strong mob attacked the companys site in Sarore village along the Jammu-Pathankot National Highway. The mob stormed the site around [] The post 6 Nabbed For Robbing Construction Site In Jammu, Thrashing Guards, Workers appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
Infant found abandoned near railway track, condition stable
Jammu Tawi, Oct 1 : A two-and-a-half-month-old boy was found abandoned near a railway track in Kathua district on Wednesday, police said. The infant was found abandoned near the Jammu-Pathankot railway track at Hatli in the district, following which police shifted him to a hospital where doctors declared his condition as stable, they said. Police [] The post Infant found abandoned near railway track, condition stable appeared first on Northlines .
Punjab: CM Bhagwant Mann steps up demand for flood relief package
CHANDIGARH: The Punjab Assembly on Monday passed a resolution accusing the Centre of not responding adequately to the states flood crisis and demanded a special financial package of Rs 20,000 crore for compensation and rehabilitation. The resolution said Punjab had been ravaged by catastrophic floods, widely regarded as the worst and most destructive deluge since the 1988 floods, affecting over 20 lakh people, destroying crops on nearly five lakh acres, causing heavy livestock losses, and damaging both private and public property. It also criticised the Prime Ministers Office for not responding to Chief Minister Bhagwant Manns repeated requests for a meeting, thereby insulting the people of the state and preventing the state from making a proper and comprehensive representation of the full scale of the disaster. The resolution demanded the immediate transfer of the Rs 1,600-crore relief announced by the Prime Minister during his visit. Mann, however, said he has been given time to meet Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday. Mann announced compensation of Rs 20,000 per acre for 75100% crop loss, Rs 10,000 per acre for 2675% damage, and Rs 1.20 lakh for fully damaged houses. Farmers will receive Rs 7,200 per acre for removing sand deposited by floods and Rs 47,500 per hectare for land that was washed away. A special girdawari is underway, and compensation will start reaching families before Diwali. Leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa cited letters from the Water Resources Department showing that critical flood mitigation works in districts including Anandpur Sahib, Ropar, SAS Nagar, Patiala, Pathankot, and Ferozepur had not begun. Bajwa said, If everything was completed by July 14, why did urgent instructions go out two weeks later?
Northern Railway To Resume 8 Long-Distance Trains From Jammu Starting October 2
Jammu, Sep 29: The Northern Railway on Monday ordered the resumption of eight long-distance trains from Jammu station starting October 2, after ensuring the safety and continuity of tracks damaged by heavy rains and floods in August this year. Heavy rainfall in the JammuPathankot and JammuKatra sections had severely affected rail services in the division, with tracks and bridges bearing the brunt of the floods. More than 50 trains were suspended, leaving hundreds of passengers stranded at the Jammu railway [] The post Northern Railway To Resume 8 Long-Distance Trains From Jammu Starting October 2 appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
CHANDIGARH: The Punjab Assembly today unanimously passed a resolution seeking a comprehensive special package of Rs 20,000 crore from the Union government for compensation to farmers, rebuilding infrastructure, and restoring livelihoods in flood-affected areas. The assembly also condemned the 'lack of response and the failure' of the BJP-led union government to sanction a special financial package for the flood-hit Punjab. The resolution also condemned the Prime Ministers Office (PMO) for not responding to Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Manns repeated request for a meeting, thereby 'insulting' the people of the state, and preventing the state from making a proper and comprehensive representation of the full scale of the disaster. Additionally, it demanded the immediate transfer of Rs 1,600 crore relief announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his recent visit to Punjab. The resolution, which was moved on Friday, was passed after the completion of the discussion on the rehabilitation of the state. The two BJP MLAs were not present in the House when the resolution was passed. As per the resolution, Punjab has been ravaged by catastrophic floods, widely regarded as the worst and most destructive deluge since the 1988 floods, which historically impacted more than 34 lakh people. The current disaster has surpassed previous major floods in independent India, such as those in 1955 and 1978, in terms of sheer scale and devastation, causing loss to more than 20 lakh people in many ways, destroying crops on nearly five lakh acres, numerous losses to livestock, and irreparable damage to both private and public infrastructure, read the resolution. Winding up the discussion in the House on the concluding day of the session, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said a compensation of Rs 20,000 per acre for 75 to 100 per cent damage of crops due to the recent floods will be given. He said Rs 10,000 per acre will be given for 33 to 75 per cent and 26 to 33 per cent of crop damage. He added that a compensation of Rs 1.20 lakh will be given for complete damage of houses. Mann said a special 'girdawari' for assessment of losses is underway and added that flood-hit families will start getting compensation before the Diwali festival. Farmers will be given Rs 7,200 per acre for extracting sand, which has accumulated following the floods, from their fields. A sum of Rs 47,500 per hectare will be given to farmers whose farmland was washed away by rivers. He slammed the Centre for allegedly not giving him time to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi to make a representation of the disaster. He also took a swipe at the Centre, saying the PM gave time to meet the Punjab governor. Mann, however, said he has been given time to meet Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday. The resolution stated, This House categorically condemns the lack of response and the failure of the BJP-led Union government to sanction a special financial package commensurate with the scale of the worst floods faced by Punjab in decades. Records its strong protest against the BJP led Union governments apathy that has resulted in the non-disbursement of the announced token funds, thereby critically crippling the speed of the state governments ongoing relief and rehabilitation operations, said the resolution. Earlier in the day, the House was adjourned following a heated exchange between Leader of the Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa and Finance Minister Harpal Cheema. Cheema alleged that while Bajwa blamed the government for failing to provide relief, he himself was promoting self-interest through land deals at the expense of others. In a statement, Bajwa accused the government of misleading the House and the people of Punjab on crucial flood preparedness measures. He specifically called out AAP minister Barinder Goyal, who had earlier claimed in the assembly that all preparations for flood mitigation had been completed by July 14. The facts prove otherwise, Bajwa said. He revealed that on July 22, 2025, the Chief Engineer (Vigilance) of the Water Resources Department wrote to the Chief Engineer (Drainage) directing him to start reviewing the necessity of flood protection works a process which had not even commenced at the site despite two-thirds of the monsoon season already having passed. Bajwa alleged that Executive Engineers from several districts themselves admitted that no flood mitigation or drainage repair works had started in critical areas, including Shri Anandpur Sahib, Ropar, SAS Nagar, Patiala, Pathankot, and Ferozepur. These facts clearly expose the lies of Barinder Goyal and highlight the governments negligence, he added. Bajwa also pointed to letters sent by the Water Resources Department in late July as proof of the administrations unpreparedness. The Principal Secretary of the department had written to all Deputy Commissioners on July 28, directing them to procure EC bags and Geo bags for flood protection, while a separate letter on July 27 instructed the Chief Engineer to arrange EC bags for Amritsar and Gurdaspur districts. If everything was completed by July 14 as claimed, why did these urgent instructions go out two weeks later? Bajwa asked. Responding sharply to allegations made by Cheema regarding his personal land purchase, Bajwa clarified that he had bought the land legally and paid the required stamp duty to the state government. If I have done anything illegal, I challenge Cheema to file a case against me, he asserted.
Government will continue ban on wheat & flour exports: Prahlad Joshi
NEW DELHI: Union Minister of Food and Consumer Affairs Prahlad Joshi on Wednesday declined the industrys request for permission to export wheat and flour, emphasising that domestic needs will be prioritised over exports. India has maintained a ban on wheat exports since 2022. During his address to the Roller Flour Miller Federation of India (RFMFI), he urged the industry to help in expanding wheat acreage and increase production to meet domestic requirements and buffer stock. Wheat production has not met expectations since 2022, hindering the countrys ability to achieve its procurement targets. The procurement levels reached 43.32 million metric tonnes (mmt) in 2021-22, but experienced a sharp decline due to adverse weather. According to government data, procurement came down to 18.78 mmt in 2022-23 and then rose to 26.58 mmt in 2023-24; 26.59 mmt in 2024-25, and 30.02 mmt in 2025-26 during the rabi marketing season. This year there are concerns regarding wheat production in Punjab Indias food bowl. The state is facing severe siltation of agricultural fields due to the worst flooding in four decades, which may adversely affect wheat sowing and production. Punjab received around 50% more rainfall than normal, according to the IMD data. In the 2024-25 procurement season, Punjab contributed 11.92 mmt, accounting for approximately 40% of the total central pool. According to the RFMFI, five major districts in Punjab Fazilka, Mansa, Amritsar, Ferozepur, and Gurdaspur may experience delays in sowing due to siltation. Such delays could disrupt the wheat trading ecosystem and negatively impact both quality and production. Siltation has affected large areas in these districts, said Navneet Chitlangia, president of RFMFI. It will delay sowing and impact grain flow in the market, Chitlangia added. The siltation has also affected areas like Kapurthala, Pathankot, and Hoshiarpur. Experts warn that the excessive siltation could make cultivating land difficult, resulting in substantial financial losses and long-term impacts on agricultural productivity. It may also lead to ongoing land degradation, making farming in affected areas more challenging and costly in the future. Additionally, the RFMFI has advised the government to increase procurement levels to stabilise market prices. The government needs to keep its stocks higher than usual. The current year-end stock stands at 7.5 mmt, which should be increased to 18 mmt, Chitlangia said. Millers body asks govt to increase procurement Additionally, the RFMFI has advised the government to increase procurement levels to stabilise market prices. The government needs to keep its stocks higher than usual. The current year-end stock stands at 7.5 mmt, which should be increased to 18 mmt, Chitlangia said.
CHANDIGARH: 220 villages of six districts -- Amritsar, Tarn Taran, Gurdaspur, Pathankot, Ferozepur and Fazilka of Punjab-- were submerged in the recent floods. Approximately 16,000 acres of land out of the total of 21,600 acres between the border fence on the Indian side and the zero line on the Indo-Pak international border are affected. The farmers whose land is beyond the fence have urged the Border Security Force (BSF) to allow them to desilt after the water recedes as at present, farmers are not allowed to do any kind of digging in their fields. The time span to sow the wheat is very short. They have also demanded that, while drafting the new Standard Operating Procedure (SOPs) for farmers who till their land across the international border, the agricultural experts and farmers should also be consulted. Talking to TNIE , Surjit Singh Bhura, Vice President of Punjab Border Kisan Welfare Society, said that he met DG BSF Daljit Singh Chawdhary at Delhi and submitted a memorandum on behalf of the farmers. He gave a picture of how the state was badly affected by the floods. He said that the farmers in the six border districts have faced heavy losses and are facing difficulties in farming. He explained how the rise in water levels of the Ravi and Sutlej rivers caused floods and extensive damage. Large amounts of sand and silt accumulated in the fields of the farmer. Mounds and sandbanks have also been formed. Now the farmers have to remove feet of silt and sand from their fields. At present, the farmers are not allowed to use any kind of machinery in the fields across the fence due to security reasons by the BSF; they have only taken their tractor and trolley. We have requested the BSF officials that JCB and other machinery be allowed to remove the silt from their fields after the state government officer conducts the survey of their fields and permits them. As time is very short and we have to sow the next crop, he said and added that they have also requested that all gates should be opened at the BSF posts as usually only one or two are open. The company commanders should be authorised to take a decision in this regard on a case-by-case basis, as in routine they always say that they have informed the senior officers and are waiting a reply from them, he said. Bhura claimed that approximately 16,000 acres of land out of the total of 21,600 acres between the border fence on the Indian side and the zero line on the Indo-Pak international border in the six border districts is submerged due to the recent floods, and now water is receding, but they do not know how much more time it will take. Only a small pocket of land between Attari and Taran Taran was not affected due to floods, he said and added that the final figure will only emerge after the special gardawari is done by the state government. It was also demanded that farmers should be given permission to use an electric device to scare away the animals that come from the Pakistan side as they destroy their crops, as with its current setup, the animals cannot be killed, and it only gives a shock. Also, farmers should be allowed to use the 14-foot path to access their fields through BSF gates. Bhura claimed that he was given a patient hearing and assured of all possible help.
CHANDIGARH: The Ravi river unleashed the greatest fury, recording its highest-ever water flow of 14.11 lakh cusecs and causing 42 breaches in its embankments. Flood waters tore through Gurdaspur, Pathankot, and Amritsar last month, submerging villages and farmlands due to sudden releases from Punjabs Ranjit Sagar Dam. Punjab Bharatiya Janata Party president Sunil Jakhar, today, demanded that an inquiry into the floods be conducted under the supervision of a retired judge. He said that the Aam Aadmi Party government had awarded the contract for safety inspections of the Madhopur headworks, which were responsible for the recent floods in Punjab and demanded that an inquiry into the floods be conducted under the supervision of a retired judge. He also stated that a complaint had been lodged with the Chandigarh Police regarding the falsehoods being spread on social media, blaming the central government and the BJP for the floods, so that the true masterminds behind this factory of lies can be exposed. Jakhar also said that the Punjab government had convened the assembly session merely as an attempt to divert attention from the real issue. He said that the real investigation should focus on: how much water was released from each dam during that period, when repairs of the dams and headworks were carried out, and which company was given the contract for headworks safety inspections. He added that a complaint had been lodged with the police to investigate those who, on the basis of lies, were trying to defame the central government and the BJP. Jakhar said that the greatest destruction was caused by the Ravi River, into which water flows from the Ranjit Sagar Dam. He emphasised that the Ranjit Sagar Dam is entirely under the control of the state government and has no connection whatsoever with the Bhakra Beas Management Board or the central government. He said that despite heavy rainfall warnings in the Ravi catchment area between August 20 and 26, very little water was released from the dam, and according to the governments own claims, 2.75 lakh cusecs of water were released on August 27. On this occasion, he also shared a video of the Chief Engineers statement with the media, in which the engineer claimed that 4.70 lakh cusecs of water entered through small rivulets downstream of Shahpur Kandi. Jakhar, however, said that between Ranjit Sagar Dam and Madhopur Headworks, there is no other river or rivulet that could bring such a huge volume of water. He asserted that all of this water was, in fact, released from the Ranjit Sagar Dam, which is under the control of the Punjab government. He questioned why the gates at Madhopur Headworks were not opened in advance after issuing warnings before the water arrived. He also said that during the floods, 45 embankments were breached, out of which 42 were along the Ravi River, and the dam on this river is fully under the jurisdiction of the state government. Raising another issue, he said that the company Level 9, which was given the contract to inspect the strength of Madhopur Headworks gates, had no experience in hydrological sciences and was actually a firm with an NIC code classified as dealing in research in social sciences. He said that the government cannot escape its own culpability by suspending a few lower-level officers when it was responsible for awarding such a contract in the first place. Jakhar said that in the assembly, the Water Resources Minister had stated that Rs 203 crore had been allocated for strengthening embankments. However, in reality, the government had allocated only Rs 80 crore. He asked the government to clarify how many work orders had actually been issued for these projects by August 8. Jakhar said that the state has riverside embankments stretching 1,000 km and 800 km of drains (drainage channels), yet the government failed to clean the drains in waterlogged areas in time or strengthen the riverbanks. He added that due to the lack of cleaning of these drains, thousands of acres of kinnow orchards had been destroyed, and even in Ludhianas Sasrali area, the breach in the river was caused by illegal mining. He said that more than 12,000 employees in the Irrigation Department had been charge-sheeted, and in such circumstances, how could government employees be expected to work effectively? Jakhar concluded by saying that it would be better if this entire matter were investigated impartially under the supervision of a retired judge so that the real causes can be identified and it can be ensured that such a disaster does not occur again.
Crumbling Bridges, Missing Accountability
The damage to three vital bridges on the Jammu-Pathankot National Highway-the Ravi bridge at Lakhanpur, the Devak bridge near AIIMS Vijaypur, and the Sahar Khad bridge near Kalibari-marks yet another grim reminder of how fragile our infrastructure has become. Barely two years ago, commuters suffered the nightmare of the Tarnah bridge collapse near Dayala Chak. Now, with three more bridges incapacitated in a single rainy season, the pattern is too glaring to ignore: piers sinking, embankments displaced, and traffic thrown [] The post Crumbling Bridges, Missing Accountability appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
CHANDIGARH: The Union Government has declared the Punjab floods a disaster of 'severe nature'. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has asked the state government to send an assessment report of the damage caused by floods within three months. Meanwhile, the Punjab Government has suspended three officers who were posted at the Madhopur headworks, which is on the Ravi River. Two of the 54 gates of the Madhopur barrage on the Ravi River, downstream of the Ranjit Sagar Dam, gave way during the heavy rain on August 28, thus leading to flooding in Pathankot and Gurdaspur districts. Sources said that the Ministry of Home Affairs on September 16, intimated the state government the decision recognising the severity of the floods. It was said that in such conditions, financial aid is provided through the State Disaster Response Fund, supplementing it with funds from the National Disaster Response Fund after assessment based on the visit of an inter-ministerial team. Also, Union Ministers Jitendra Singh and Jitin Prasada had visited flood-hit areas in Pathankot and Gurdaspur to assess the damage. Punjab Chief Secretary, KAP Sinha, yesterday convened a meeting of heads of all departments and deputy commissioners to prepare a detailed assessment report. The decision would mean higher allocation of funds; exact details of the implications of the MHA order were being examined, said sources. CM Mann launches global fundraiser for Punjab flood relief and rehabilitation Sources said that Executive Engineer (XeN) Nitin Sood, a sub-divisional officer (SDO) Arun Kumar and Junior Engineer (JE) Sachin Thakur have been suspended by the Principal Secretary, Water Resources Department Krishan Kumar, as the orders to this effect have been issued. It was on the intervening night of August 26 and 27 that 2.12 lakh cusecs of water were released from the Ranjit Sagar Dam. The 54 floodgates at the barrage had been sealed after Operation Sindoor to stop the flow of water to Pakistan. All three officials were posted in the irrigation and groundwater division that takes care of the Madhopur headworks. The action against them comes after the principal secretary of water resources submitted his probe report to the chief secretary earlier this week. As the water came gushing down from the upstream reservoir of the Ranjit Sagar dam, the floodgates of the barrage were opened when two collapsed under pressure, aggravating floods in the areas downstream. The flooding caused widespread damage to villages and farmland in Punjab and areas across the border in Pakistan. Thus, two gates broke and the Indian Army had to rescue 50 personnel at the headworks who were stationed there to help open the floodgates. Also, a building near the floodgates had collapsed under the pressure of raging waters. The barrage, which is near Pathankot, was first built in the 19th century and rebuilt in 1959, regulates the flow of Ravi River. Meanwhile, Union Minister of State for Railways Ravneet Singh Bittu has demanded the resignation of Punjabs Water Resources Minister Barinder Goyal, saying that merely suspending three officials was not enough. He asserted that both CM Mann and the minister should be held accountable for gross negligence in flood preparation before the onset of monsoons. Earlier, state irrigation and water resources minister Barinder Goyal had blamed a private company hired to certify the strength of the gates for the collapse. He had then said that the state government had hired a private firm to assess the strength of the structure. The company told the government that the gates were in perfect condition and would not suffer any damage even if 6.52 lakh cusecs of water were released, he had said.
Revival of Ujh project to benefit J&K, Punjab: Dr Jitendra
Excelsior Correspondent PATHANKOT, Sept 18: Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh said here today that the revival of Ujh Multipurpose Project would benefit Punjab and Jammu & Kashmir in multiple ways. The project was first proposed nearly 100 years ago, he recalled. The Union Minister said, after its completion, the Ujh project would enhance utilisation of waters of Eastern Rivers (Ravi, Beas and Sutlej) allotted to India as per the Indus Water Treaty to address chronic water shortages and help curb [] The post Revival of Ujh project to benefit J&K, Punjab: Dr Jitendra appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
Revival Of Ujh Project To Benefit Jammu And Kashmir, Punjab: Dr Jitendra
PATHANKOT, Sept 18 : Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh said here today that the revival of Ujh Multipurpose Project would benefit Punjab and Jammu & Kashmir in multiple ways. The project was first proposed nearly 100 years ago, he recalled. The Union Minister said, after its completion, the Ujh project would enhance utilisation of waters of Eastern Rivers (Ravi, Beas and Sutlej) allotted to India as per the Indus Water Treaty to address chronic water shortages and help curb cross-border [] The post Revival Of Ujh Project To Benefit Jammu And Kashmir, Punjab: Dr Jitendra appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
Monsoon likely to completely withdraw from Punjab, Haryana and HP by September 25
CHANDIGARH: While the monsoon has started withdrawing from the country from September 14-15, it is expected to withdraw completely from Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh by September 25. The rainfall was seven per cent above the long-period average (LPA) this year in the country. Notably, it was significantly above normal in the region too, as it also witnessed floods. From June 1 to September 16, Punjab received 618.0 mm of rain against the LPA of 413.3 mm for the aforementioned period, marking 50 per cent surplus of rain. Neighboring Himachal Pradesh received 1,010.9 mm against the LPA of 692.1 mm, with 46 per cent more rain. Haryana witnessed 565.1 mm against the LPA of 405.7 mm, marking 39 per cent surplus. A bulletin issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) today stated that the rains have receded from the southwestern parts of Punjab, comprising Fazilka, Muktsar, and Bathinda districts, and from the adjoining district of Sirsa in Haryana. The line of withdrawal of the southwest monsoon now passes through Bhatinda, Fatehabad, Pilani, Ajmer, Deesa and Bhuj, it added. Light to moderate rain in Himachal Pradesh is expected to continue until September 22 as the IMD has termed the monsoon activity as 'vigorous' during the past 24 hours, with light to moderate rain at most places and heavy to very heavy rain at a few places. While Punjab experienced light to moderate rainfall in some areas of Pathankot and Kapurthala districts and heavy rains in Ropar district, moderate rain occurred at isolated places in Haryana. The monsoon activity in both states has been termed as 'weak'. The IMD has predicted isolated to scattered showers in some parts of these states until September 19 and added that these conditions are favourable for further withdrawal of the monsoon from a few more parts of Punjab and Haryana during the next two to three days. Meanwhile, the water level recorded this morning at Pong Dam on the Beas River was 1,393.50 feet, three and a half feet above the maximum level. The inflow was 130,344 cusecs, and the outflow was 55,020 cusecs. It has been more than a month that the level at the dam has remained above the upper limit of 1,390 feet due to heavy rains in the catchment area. The mean outflow in September during the last 10 years ranged between 9,622 cusecs and 14,852 cusecs, as per information available with the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB). The water level at Bhakra Dam today was 1,676.14 feet, four feet below the maximum level of 1,680 feet. The inflow was 87,337 cusecs, and the outflow was 50,000 cusecs. The mean outflow during this month over the last 10 years was between 16,781 cusecs and 32,351 cusecs.
How do we exit the cycle of floods and deaths?
Mumbai: The cycles of extreme climate, alternating between floods and drought, is getting worse by the year, and there are no answers. This year, more than half the country is reeling from floods. Punjab is facing its worst deluge since 1988. Haryana, Rajasthan, and the hill states of Himachal and Uttarakhand have seen cloudbursts, and entire towns being wiped out. In neighbouring Pakistan, the north-west has suffered far worse, with millions displaced and over a 1,000 lives lost. It is not a pretty picture. Across Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab and Haryana, the combined death toll has reached 500 as of September 4, 2025. Himachal is the worst with 355 deaths. In the northeast, relentless rains in June have claimed 30 lives. Every year the location and toll numbers change. Otherwise, the destruction of lives, crops and human habitation continues with sickening repetition. Somehow our planners and government departments have never really digested the old adage ofgeographer Gilbert F. White, who noted in 1942, Floods are acts of God, but flood losses are largely acts of man. Upstream water Punjab is facing its worst floods since 1988 with nearly 2,000 villages submerged, 4 lakh acres of farm lands devastated and nearly 3.9 lakh people across 9 districts having to migrate to relief spots. Environmental platform Mongabay has documented the extent and reasons for the damage. Punjabs affected villages mainly lie along the River Ravi and lower reaches of the Beas and Sutlej. The waters swelled to unmanageable proportions due to incessant rains in upstream areas in Himachal, which has received as much as 46% above-normal rainfall till 8 September. The situation worsened with the lower catchment areas in Punjab too receiving 55% excess rain. Environmental activists point to the shoddy management of dam waters. The excess release of water at the wrong time, is one of the principal problems. While the Centre controls the Bhakra-Beas Management Board (BBMB) that manages Bhakra and Pong dams, the Punjab government manages the Ranjit Sagar dam on the River Ravi. In the early part of August, the release of water from these dams was kept low despite heavy rainfall in the catchment areas. This was a huge mistake. Thereafter, Himanshu Thakkar, the coordinator of South Asia Network on Dams, Rivers and People (SANDRP), said: They had to eventually release heavy quantities of water from August 26 onwards when Punjab was already facing floods due to local rainfall. It ultimately led to the submergence of large parts of Gurdaspur and Pathankot districts. There is rightful fury at the dam management organistions. Citizens groups have filed petitions before the National Green Tribunal (NGT), while the Himachal government has filed an F.I.R. against the dam authority accusing it of releasing excess water without warning. Glacial outbursts Significantly, the floods that ravaged the Harsil region of Uttarakhand on 5 August, wiped out riverside towns Dharali and Sukhi Top, and have claimed several lives, have a different explanation. Despite reports of cloudbursts, the Indian Meteorological Department recorded minimal rainfall. Harsil recorded only 6.5 mm of rain on the day of the disaster, while Bhatwari received just 11.5 mm over 24 hours. This is far short of what is defined as a cloudburst, which implies a massive precipitation of 100 mm or more of rainfall over 24 hours over a localized area. This has led some experts to venture a hypothesis that it was not a cloudburst, but rather a Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) or a glacier collapse in the upper reaches that triggered the flash floods. What these experts are saying is that climate change is accelerating glacial retreat, leading to the formation and expansion of glacial lakes that can break their bunds at any time. It is also time that the state government and commercial groups be made accountable for having slaughtered trees, expanded roads and highways in the ecologically sensitive Himalayan zones. It has changed the course of rivers like the River Kheer Ganga. The destruction caused by floods in Pakistan needs intensive study too. As a country that contributes barely 1% towards global climate change, it has suffered widespread damage. Speaking to Dialogue Earth, climate scientist Mohammad Ehsan Leghari said the floods were triggered with 200 to 300 mm of rainfall in a short spell, along with glacial melts, and northern heatwaves in June. While these natural disasters came together, he pointed to the human-made disasters too -- the deforestation, and urbanization and human encroachments blocking the natural flows. Similarly, the Ravi Urban Development Authority s paving of floodplains along the River Ravi in Punjab turned absorbent areas into concrete, inviting devastation by turning them into river paths. The bigger tragedy is there is no learning or rolling back mistakes of the past. Extreme and cyclical changes of climate are not being factored in. The El Nino effect - warming of central and equatorial Indian and Pacific Ocean waters that cause millions of cusecs of rain being dumped in as far off places as Europe, the Horn of Africa, and Bali this year -- has not been reversed. In Dehradun, the capital of Uttarakhand, despite the tragedy that unfoleded recently in the states Harsil sector, there is no rethink on devastating projects in the valley. A Rs 6,200-crore Rispana -- Bindal Elevated Corridor, two flyovers of over 26 kilometers, are in the pipeline. The plan includes erecting support columns in the middle of the beds of Rivers Rispana and Bindal that will choke the natural flow of water and create flooding along the banks of the rivers. Bharti Jain, architect and town planner, has pointed out that as far back as 2007 the flyovers were to be implemented after feasibility studies and Environmental Impact Assessment is done. However, the Doon authorities are brazenly implementing these projects without a thought for on the citys environment, Ms Bharti told this writer.
Punjab to geo-fence 850 water bodies, launch digital elevation mapping after devastating floods
CHANDIGARH: After devastating floods from the swollen Ravi, Beas and Sutlej rivers, along with seasonal rivulets that submerged villages and breached embankments across Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir, the Punjab government has decided to geo-fence all 850 major water bodies in the state, alongside digital elevation modelling of rivers and canals to improve future flood management. This time, it was the Ravi river that unleashed the greatest fury, recording its highest-ever water flow of 14.11 lakh cusecs and causing 42 breaches in its embankments. According to sources in the water resources department, the process of notifying major rivers and water bodies began after the 2023 floods, and nearly all 850 have now been notified. With geo-fencing, any construction within 150 metres of these notified drains will require a no-objection certificate from the department. To strengthen planning, KML files of these drains will also be integrated with the town and country planning department, helping it identify no-construction zones. The department has also procured three drones to assist in digital elevation modelling of rivers and canals through aerial surveys, which will provide detailed data on terrain and topography. A memorandum of understanding (MoU) has been signed with the Survey of India to carry out this project within a year. Officials said the modelling will be critical for future river management and planning. A senior officer noted that, for the first time, jumbo bags measuring 3.25 feet were used to plug breaches during the floods. Across the Ravi, Beas and Sutlej rivers, along with canals, there were around 45 breaches42 of them in the Ravi alone. The recent floods hit the border districts of Pathankot, Gurdaspur, Amritsar, Tarn Taran, Ferozepur and Fazilka the hardest, with water gushing from the Ranjit Sagar Dam on the Ravi river. On August 25, the dams water level touched its maximum permissible height of 527.91 metres, rising further to 528.008 metres the next day before the gates were opened. The dam saw an inflow of 2.25 lakh cusecs and an outflow of 2.15 lakh cusecs. But during the intervening night of August 2627, the discharge spiked to 14.11 lakh cusecs at Dharamkot, exceeding the safe gauge level by 2.5 feet. At the Madhopur barrage downstream, water flow touched 2.22 lakh cusecs, far above the Ravis safe carrying capacity. The pressure caused two gates of the barrage to break. The situation worsened when the swollen Ujh river, carrying 2.06 lakh cusecs, joined the Ravi in Gurdaspur, amplifying the flood surge. The 14.11 lakh cusecs was the highest ever discharge recorded in the Ravi, surpassing the previous peak of 11.2 lakh cusecs in 1988. The rivers safe carrying capacity is 9.7 lakh cusecs, but this time it received 4.41 lakh cusecs in excess. In total, over 11.9 lakh cusecs of unregulated water flowed in from smaller channels. The state government has since written to the IMD director general, urging stronger weather forecasting systems for dam catchment areas, citing inaccurate predictions during the floods. Officials defended the release from Ranjit Sagar Dam, stressing that dam safety was of utmost importance given the unprecedented inflows. In contrast, the Bhakra Nangal and Pong dams managed by the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) released water in a controlled manner. At Pong, inflows peaked at 2.59 lakh cusecs on August 26, but outflow was capped at 85,000 cusecs by storing water up to four feet above the permissible level of 1,390 feet. The Beas embankments held firm despite historic inflows of 11.70 billion cubic metres, the highest ever recorded. At Bhakra, the reservoir did not touch its maximum level, and the Sutlej river largely stayed within its carrying limits, except for minor erosion.
CHANDIGARH: The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)-led government and the opposition parties including the Congress and the Shiromani Akali Dal have termed the Rs 1,600 crore flood relief package announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to Gurdaspur on Tuesday as a cruel joke and a drop in the ocean. The farmers unions have also pointed out the inadequacy of the package announced. The BJP, on the other hand, accused the state government of presenting irrational data to secure central aid. Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema called the flood-relief package announced by Modi as miserably meagre. Cheema said that cabinet minister Hardeep Singh Mundian, who attended the meeting chaired by Prime Minister Modi to review the flood situation in Gurdaspur, had openly told the PM that the amount announced is meagre and demanded a Rs 20,000 crore interim relief. However, Cheema added, Prime Minister reacted saying, kya aapko Hindi samajh nahin aati. Aapko samajh nahin aata, ke Rs 1,600 crore de diya (Do you not understand Hindi? Do you not understand that Rs 1,600 crore has been given). Thus, the PM insulted our mother tongue Punjabi, people of Punjab and Punjabiyat, he charged. He also claimed that the PM did not even bother to hold the hands of people who lost their kin to the floods during his visit. The Congress party in the state accused the state government of misusing Rs 12,000 crore allocated under the State Disaster Relief Fund (SDRF). Punjab Congress president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring said that both the Centre and the state government have badly let down the people of Punjab. He said that while the Chief Minister was indisposed and was confined to a hospital bed, the rest of the government machinery simply vanished at the time of the crisis. They failed the people before, during and after the crisis, he added. Leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa said that the Rs 1600 crore that Prime Minister Modi announced as relief was mere 8 percent of the total estimated loss faced by Punjab due to the floods. Harinder Singh Lakhowal, president of Bharatiya Kisan Union (Lakhowal Group) said the Centre should provide relief to farmers in this difficult time by waiving their loans and implementing the crop insurance scheme on all crops. Sarwan Singh Pandher of the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha said the union gvenrments step-motherly treatment towards the state was witnessed once again, as the relief package announced by the PM was much less than expected. We had demanded Rs 70,000 per acre and relief for farm labourers. It is not clear now as to how the funds would be used, he said. On the other hand, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Punjab chief Sunil Jakhar accused the state government of presenting irrational data to secure central aid. Despite this, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced Rs 1,600 crore as immediate relief for the state and assured further assistance upon receiving additional proposals. Additional support has been announced for schools, national highways, and damaged houses under various schemes. The next installment of the Pradhan Mantri Samman Nidhi Yojana and the second SDRF tranche will also be released in advance. He added that the state can undertake rural development under MNREGA if it has the will and the intention, he said. Jakhar further noted that while the Chief Secretary claimed damages to the tune of Rs 13,289 crore, cabinet minister Hardeep Singh Mundian pegged the figure at Rs 20,000 crore. This arbitrary presentation of figures reflects the AAP governments irresponsible approach. Challenging Chief Minister Bhagwant Manns claim that the central government owes Punjab Rs 60,000 crore, Jakhar likened it to Kejriwals fantasy of generating Rs 60,000 crore from sand and liquor revenue, calling it absolutely a bogus claim. He questioned Punjabs Finance Minister that if state government really believes it then why did he not raise this issue during the GST Council meeting on September 3. Jakhar said that the Rs 12,000 crore of SDRF received from centre has not been utilised for flood mitigation efforts but has been squandered on publicity stunts and other purposes . By citing regulations, the government is now trying to cover up its mismanagement. He recalled that in 2023, Mann announced Rs 15,000 per acre as compensation, but only Rs 6,800 was disbursed which it received from central government . CM must now clarify the source of the promised Rs 20,000 per acre compensation. Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria who flew back to Chandigarh from Pathankot on Wednesday morning met the Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann at the Fortis hospital in Mohali to inquire about his health and said that he had conducted an aerial survey of the flood situation. `` Though the water level has started receding, the extent of damage to houses and crops is enormous. More aid will be coming 100 percent in the coming days, he assured.
PM Modi surveys flood-hit Punjab, Himachal amid bomb threat at medical college
Chandigarh, Sept 9: Prime Minister Narendra Modi began a crucial visit to flood-affected regions of Punjab and Himachal Pradesh today to assess the widespread damage caused by recent floods. Arriving at Pathankot Airbase from Delhi, he proceeded by helicopter to conduct an aerial survey of the hardest-hit areas in Himachal Pradesh, including Kullu, Mandi, [] The post PM Modi surveys flood-hit Punjab, Himachal amid bomb threat at medical college appeared first on Northlines .
CHANDIGARH: The AAP-led Punjab Government is set to introduce a new policy allowing farmers to remove sand from flood-hit fields, and to sell extracted sand for additional income. Punjab Incharge of AAP Manish Sisodia, today announced that the Bhagwant Mann-led Punjab government is set to bring major relief for farmers affected by the recent floods. The state government will soon announce a policy to allow farmers to freely remove sand deposited in their fields due to the floods, ensuring agricultural activities can resume without delay. Sisodia said, The floods have destroyed crops, damaged homes, and claimed livestock. But the biggest concern of our farmers right now is the sand left behind in their fields, which could make future farming impossible. We have taken their feedback seriously. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has already discussed this issue with officials and assured that a clear policy will be announced in the next few days to allow farmers to remove the sand from their fields without any bureaucratic hurdles. He added that the decision will not only help farmers prepare their land for the next sowing season but also provide them with an opportunity to sell the sand if it can be used for construction purposes. AAP, BJP trade charges over cause of Punjab floods as Congress blames both for collective failure This will be a double relief, the land will be cleared for crops, and farmers can also earn some income from selling the sand, Sisodia said. He claimed that the Mann government has been working round-the-clock to support people affected by the floods. All our ministers, MLAs, and volunteers have been on the ground providing relief. I personally visited many districts and villages, met with farmers, understood their problems, and assured them that the government stands firmly with them, he said. Sisodia pointed out that while Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and other senior leaders spoke to the Chief Minister, no concrete financial assistance has been announced yet. Punjabs rightful dues of over Rs 60,000 crore, including Rs 58,000 crore of GST, are pending with the Centre. If this amount had been released earlier, relief and rehabilitation work could have progressed much faster. I urge the Prime Minister to release Punjabs dues before his visit on September 9 , he said. Punjab Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, Dairy Development and Fisheries Minister Gurmeet Singh Khudian said that 504 cattle or buffaloes, 73 sheep and goats and 160 pigs have perished across 14 districts. These districts include Pathankot, Gurdaspur, Amritsar, Ferozepur, Fazilka, Kapurthala, Barnala, Bathinda, Hoshiarpur, Tarn Taran, Patiala, Jalandhar, Rupnagar and Moga. Additionally, 18,304 poultry birds died in Gurdaspur, Rupnagar and Fazilka due to the collapse of poultry sheds. He further said that approximately 2.52 lakhs animals and 5,88,685 poultry birds were affected by the floods. Khudian added that 481 teams have been deployed to provide treatment and arrange medicines for affected livestock. Till now, 22,534 animals have been provided treatment. He further said that the department has distributed relief supplies, including over 12,170 quintals of feed and 5090.35 quintals of green fodder, dry fodder and silage, to support livestock in flood-affected districts, in collaboration with the district administration and social organisations. Uromin licks are also being supplied to the animals to boost their immune system. Principal Secretary Animal Husbandry Rahul Bhandari said that the department has already released a total of Rs 31.50 lakh for the treatment of animals affected by the floods. Meanwhile Rajya Sabha Member, Sanjay Singh and Punjab Panchayat Minister, Tarunpreet Singh Sond visited flood-affected border villages of Fazilka district on September 7. Singh said that Punjab has been battling floods for nearly a month, yet the Centre continues to wait for reports instead of providing immediate relief. He expressed hope that during his visit to Punjab on September 9, the Prime Minister will announce a substantial relief package for the affected areas. He said that even though the Union Agriculture Minister had earlier visited Punjab, no relief has been provided so far. While Sond stated that relief operations in the district are being carried out with full speed. He added that as water levels begin to recede, the administration is gearing up for the next set of challenges. These include the risk of waterborne diseases and assessment of damages. He emphasised that medical teams, veterinary units, and district administration officials are actively working in the affected villages to ensure that every person in need receives relief supplies.
PM Modi likely to visit Punjab on Sept 9 to assess flood damage; state pegs loss at Rs 13,289 crores
CHANDIGARH: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to visit Punjab on September 9 to take stock of the flood situation in the state. Meanwhile, the state government has estimated a loss of Rs 13,289 crore due to the floods that have ravaged the state. Sources said PM Modi is expected to conduct an aerial survey of the flood-affected areas, including border districts. However, his official schedule is yet to be announced. After casting his vote for the vice-presidential election on Tuesday, PM Modi is likely to fly to the state and land in Amritsar in the afternoon and hold a review meeting with top ministers and officials of the state government. He is also likely to visit Gurdaspur. Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria and Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann are likely to meet him. Mann is expected to be relieved from the hospital by then. Sources said that yesterday, two central inter-ministerial teams, one headed by Rajesh Gupta of the Ministry of Home Affairs and the other by Santosh Kumar Tiwari of the Ministry of Rural Development, had come to assess the flood situation in the state. The teams held a meeting with the officials of the state delegation, headed by Chief Secretary KAP Sinha, and included other administrative secretaries. AAP, BJP trade charges over cause of Punjab floods as Congress blames both for collective failure The state officials reported to the central teams that the total loss estimated due to the floods is around Rs 13,289 crores. These teams visited Ferozepur, Fazilka, Gurdaspur, Pathankot, Amritsar, Taran Taran, and Kapurthala districts and spoke to the affected people. A senior official, on condition of anonymity, said that the extent of damage would be known only after the floodwater recedes. It is expected that the central teams will come back for a fresh assessment once the floodwater recedes. Sources said that the state government has been demanding a special relief package from the Union Government to compensate people for the loss of property and farming. The state also wants funds for the repair of damaged infrastructure, including roads, bridges, culverts, flood protection system, and power transmission. Sources noted that as per the report given by the state government to the central teams, the highest loss has been incurred to the infrastructure and areas related to the rural development and panchayat department to the tune of Rs 5,043 crores while crop damage has been estimated at Rs 1,858 crores and Rs 1,520 crores of water supply damage. The loss to Punjab Mandi is expected to be around Rs 1,022 crore and health department loss is around Rs 780 crore. The rural infrastructure has been severely damaged - this includes rural roads, village infrastructure, hospitals and school buildings. The agriculture department is estimated to suffer a loss of Rs 317 crores, while the loss for the education department is estimated to be Rs 542 crores. According to sources, the estimated losses include about Rs 103 crores in the Power Department, Rs 8 crore in the Higher Education Department, Rs 6 crore each in the Food and Civil Supplies and Water Supply Departments, and Rs 7 crore in the Animal Husbandry Department due to the death of livestock. An officer said that both the central teams will shortly submit their reports to the union government. Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has already submitted his report to the PM.
Beas river records highest-ever inflow; BBMB ensures controlled release of Bhakra Dam in Punjab
CHANDIGARH: The Beas river has recorded its highest-ever inflow of water this year, touching 11.70 billion cubic meters (BCM) between July 1 and September 5. Despite the unprecedented inflow, the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) maintained a controlled release of not more than one lakh cusecs. BBMB chairman Manoj Tripathi said this years inflow was 20% higher than in 2023, when Beas received 9.52 BCM, and well above the previous highs of 7.94 BCM in 1988 and 5 BCM in 2019. This years inflow is unprecedented. Never before has the Beas carried such volumes, he said. At the Bhakra Dam, the reservoir recorded an inflow of 9.11 BCM. Tripathi noted that the highest inflow had been in 1988 at 9.52 BCM, followed by 8.59 BCM in 2019. The inflow this year is almost equivalent to those years, he added. Importantly, the water level has not crossed the maximum permissible mark of 1,680 feet. In 1988, the level had gone above 1,685 feet, but this year it is around 1,679 feet, Tripathi said. He explained that a rule curve for water regulation was introduced last year after the 2023 floods, in consultation with the Central Water Commission (CWC). The rule curve prescribes how much water should be stored at a given date, based on historical inflows and IMD data. We are strictly adhering to it, he said. Referring to the Pong Dam, Tripathi said that despite receiving the maximum inflow this year, the release was kept at 1.51 lakh cusecs, lower than in 2023. Even though the inflows were above one lakh cusecs for several days, we avoided sudden discharges of 22.5 lakh cusecs. The releases have been gradual, controlled, and done with the consent of all partner states, strictly following the rule curve, he explained. He also clarified that water release decisions are not arbitrary but are taken by a technical committee comprising BBMB members, chief engineers of partner states, and the CWC. Yesterday, 85,000 cusecs were released from Bhakra, and today, after inputs from Ludhiana, the outflow was reduced to 75,000 cusecs, Tripathi said. Sources said the Ludhiana deputy commissioner had sent an SOS to BBMB after reports that embankments along the Sutlej were facing breaches. The Ludhiana administration has since sounded an alert, with embankments in the eastern part of the district under heavy pressure due to the strong river flow. Villages including Sasrali, Boont, Rawat, Hawas, Seera, Boothgarh, Mangli Tanda, Dheri, Khawajke, Khassi Khurd, Mangli Kadar, Mattewara, Mangat, and Meharban are at risk of flooding if the embankment weakens further. Meanwhile, the Pong Dam water level stood at 1,394.71 feet, with inflows reducing to 1,05,950 cusecs and outflows at 99,763 cusecs. The flood situation in Punjab remains grim, with the death toll rising to 43. As many as 1,948 villages are inundated, impacting 3.84 lakh people. Of these, 21,929 have been evacuated, while crops on 1.72 lakh hectares (4.32 lakh acres) have been destroyed. According to official figures, the highest casualties have been reported from Hoshiarpur (7), Pathankot (6), Barnala and Amritsar (5 each), and Ludhiana and Bathinda (4 each). Three persons are missing in Pathankot. Punjab is facing one of its worst flood disasters in decades, caused by overflowing riversSutlej, Beas, Ravi, and Ghaggaralong with torrential rains in Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir.
The recent devastation witnessed on JammuSrinagar National Highway (NH-44) especially between Udhampur and Banihal, and on the same highway between Jammu and Pathankot after a prolonged spell of heavy rains has raised many serious questions about the quality of works accomplished to raise these highways. As it could be seen that rainfall of few days [] The post Big Mistake In Planning Phase appeared first on Northlines .
Union Minister Chouhan inspects flood damage in Punjab, assures aid
CHANDIGARH: Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan today visited flood-hit areas in Amritsar and Gurdaspur districts of Punjab, where he interacted with people, including farmers affected by the deluge. After riding a tractor, Chouhan entered an inundated field in Gurdaspur and inspected the paddy crop damaged by the floodwater. Earlier in Amritsar, he stated that two central teams are also visiting the state to assess the situation arising out of floods and will submit a report to the Centre. Chouhan visited one of the worst-affected villages of Ghonewal in Amritsar district and interacted with flood-hit residents. He would also visit Dharamkot Randhawa and Behrampur villages in Gurdaspur district. During his interactions with farmers, he took stock of the situation. A farmer showed him the extensive damage caused to the crop. Chouhan even held the damaged crop, which had remained submerged. He then waded through more than knee-deep water in the inundated field and checked the paddy crop. Loss is visible. The crop is completely damaged, fields are inundated, he said. He added that the silt brought by the Ravi River has been deposited in fields, and there will be a crisis for the next crop. Chouhan further said the central government would do everything for farmers and people. Punjab floods: Army evacuates pregnant woman, elderly patient from rain-affected regions He was accompanied by Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu, Punjab BJP president Sunil Jakhar and national general secretary Tarun Chugh. He assured full support from the Union government in providing necessary assistance to the state for speedy relief and rehabilitation measures. Talking to the media, Chouhan said, Punjabis have always been at the forefront when it comes to serving the country and humanity. But today, Punjab is facing a difficult time due to floods and several villages are impacted, disrupting normal life, fields are inundated. The Centre fully stands with the people of Punjab in this difficult hour. I have been sent to Punjab by the Prime Minister. We will take stock of the situation, talk to the people, he added. Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria submitted a detailed report on the situation in the five border districts of Amritsar, Pathankot, Gurdaspur, Tarn Taran and Ferozepur. Kataria met Chouhan soon after he landed at Sri Guru Ram Das Jee International Airport in Amritsar and apprised him of the extensive damage to life, property, crops and infrastructure after visiting all five flood-affected districts from September 1 to 4. He also briefed Chouhan about the relief and rehabilitation measures taken by the state government, Army and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF). Punjab Agriculture Minister Gurmeet Singh Khuddian and MLA Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal today met Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan in Amritsar and submitted a memorandum, seeking 2,000 crore as financial assistance in the first phase for the losses caused by floods in the Ajnala Assembly constituency. The AAP government has demanded the release of 60,000 crore in pending dues of the state from the Centre.
Himachal govt launches massive rescue operation to evacuate Manimahesh pilgrims
CHANDIGARH: The Himachal Pradesh Government has launched a massive rescue operation to evacuate the stranded pilgrims of Manimahesh Yatra from Chamba. While 35 ailing and elderly pilgrims were safely airlifted by helicopter, another 500 devotees were sent by vehicles from Bharmour to Chamba. The Chamba district administration launched the operation to safely evacuate devotees stranded during the Manimahesh Yatra. The authorities on Thursday began transporting nearly 500 devotees from Bharmour to Chamba by vehicles. At certain stretches, where roads have been damaged, adequate security personnel were deployed for their assistance and to ensure their safety. In addition, free food, drinking water, transport and other essential facilities have been arranged en-route to prevent any inconvenience to them. A state government spokesperson said that despite adverse weather conditions, 35 ailing and elderly devotees were safely airlifted to Chamba by a small helicopter, which completed seven sorties during the day. The MI-17 helicopter of Air Force has also been stationed at Pathankot to meet any exigency. He further stated that Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi has been personally supervising the rescue operation on the ground for the past several days. Travelling on foot, he reached Bharmour from Chamba and has been tirelessly engaged in ensuring the safety of the devotees. He said that the state government was committed to safeguard the lives and property of its people as well as the visiting pilgrims and tourists from several parts.
CHANDIGARH : A fresh spell of heavy rains compounded the flood situation in Punjab with the death toll rising to 37 on Wednesday, while crops on 1.75 lakh hectares of land in 23 districts got damaged by the worst deluge in the state since 1988. Rescue and relief operations are underway on a war footing as help poured in from several quarters for over 3.55 lakh people in 1,655 villages, desperately looking for succour. Following heavy rains, an alert has been sounded in Rupnagar and Patiala districts, urging people to remain vigilant, while all schools, colleges and universities have been closed till September 7. With rains refusing to relent in Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir, the already swollen Sutlej, Beas and Ravi rivers originating in the Himalayas and seasonal rivulets inundated towns, villages and agricultural lands, upending normal life. The Punjab government released Rs 71 crore as an immediate relief and rehabilitation measure, with the AAP dispensation reiterating that it was committed to compensating people for their losses. Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan will visit the flood-hit areas in Punjab on Thursday to review the extent of crop damage. AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal, along with Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, will also assess the flood damage on the same day. He will take stock of the relief work being carried out in the state and interact with the affected people, said the party. Rains in Punjab have aggravated the flood situation. The water level in the Bhakra dam at 6 am was 1,677.84 feet, against its maximum capacity of 1,680 feet. The inflow in the dam was 86,822 cusecs while the outflow was 65,042 cusecs. Punjab declared disaster-hit as floods submerge 3.75 lakh acres; 30 dead, 3.55 lakh affected In view of heavy rains in Himachal Pradesh, the water discharge from the dam was being increased from 65,000 cusecs to 75,000 cusecs, officials said and warned that Nangal's villages may be inundated. Revenue, Rehabilitation and Disaster Management Minister Hardeep Singh Mundian said the state is reeling under one of the worst floods in recent decades, with widespread crop devastation reported across 1,75,216 hectares of farmland. Gurdaspur, Amritsar, Mansa, Ferozepur and Fazilka are among the worst-hit districts, accounting for the bulk of the agricultural losses, he said. The minister said that 37 lives have been lost across 12 districts, while three persons remain missing in Pathankot. The highest fatalities have been reported in Hoshiarpur, where seven lives have been lost, followed by six in Pathankot, five in Barnala, four each in Amritsar and Ludhiana, three each in Bathinda and Mansa, and one each in Gurdaspur, Patiala, Rupnagar, SAS Nagar and Sangrur. The flood-related data is from August 1 to September 3. Gurdaspur alone suffered crop damage over 40,169 hectares, followed by Mansa 24,967 hectares, Amritsar 23,000 hectares, Fazilka 17,786 hectares, Ferozepur 17,620 hectares, and Kapurthala 14,934 hectares, among others. The Rupnagar district administration has asked people living near the Sutlej river to stay on alert in the wake of an increase in the discharge of water from the Bhakra dam. Punjab Cabinet Minister Harjot Bains appealed to Sri Anandpur Sahib residents living on riverbanks and low-lying areas to shift to safer places or relief camps. He visited over two dozen flood-affected villages and personally oversaw the evacuation of families stranded along the Sutlej river. Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria visited the flood-ravaged areas in Pathankot district, while AAP leader Manish Sisodia visited the flood-hit areas in Tarn Taran district. AAP Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha announced providing Rs 3.25 crore from his Local Area Development Scheme fund for relief work. MP Sandeep Pathak visited flood-hit villages in Ferozepur district and released Rs 5 crore from the MPLADS funds for the affected villages in the border district. Rajya Sabha MP Balbir Singh Seechewal also announced a grant of Rs 50 lakh from his discretionary funds to support the affected people. Relief and rescue operations by the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Army, Border Security Force, Punjab Police and district authorities are underway in the affected areas, officials said. Meanwhile, the Patiala district administration issued an alert for villages near the Ghaggar river in the Rajpura sub-division in the wake of heavy rains in the catchment areas. According to officials, the water level of the Tangri river has risen close to the danger mark in Ambala and is expected to rise in Patiala following heavy rains in Ambala and Kala Amb.
Punjab Floods Live Updates: Over 1,400 Villages Submerged, Rescue Operations Underway
Punjab Floods Live Updates: Hoshiarpur, Kapurthala, Tarn Taran, Ferozepur, Gurdaspur, Pathankot, Fazilka, Jalandhar and Rupnagar (Ropar) are the worst-hit districts.
Punjab Battles Worst Floods Since 1988: Impact To Death TollHere's What We Know So Far
Punjab Floods: Over 1,400 villages have submerged and the death toll has risen to 30 confirmed fatalities, with the highest number in Pathankot.
Punjab Floods: 29 Killed, 2.5 Lakh People Impacted In 1 Month
The devastating floods in Punjab have claimed 29 lives so far, the maximum in Pathankot district, besides impacting the lives of more than 2.56 lakh people, officials said on Monday.
PM Modi calls Punjab CM Mann, assures all possible help over flood situation
CHANDIGARH: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday spoke to Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann to discuss the flood situation in the State and assured all possible assistance from the Centre. The conversation took place shortly after Prime Minister Modi landed in New Delhi following his visit to China. According to official sources, the Prime Minister expressed concern over the flood damage and reiterated the Union Governments commitment to extend all necessary support to Punjab. On Sunday, Mann had written to PM Modi, urging him to release Rs 60,000 crore in funds which, he claimed, are pending with the Union Government. In his letter, the Chief Minister said that Punjab is witnessing one of the worst flood disasters in decades, impacting approximately 1,300 villages and affecting lakhs of residents. He said that heavy monsoon rainfall, coupled with the release of water from dams, has led to extensive flooding across seven districts, Gurdaspur, Kapurthala, Amritsar, Pathankot, Ferozepur, Fazilka, and Hoshiarpur. Mann expressed concern that the situation remains volatile and could deteriorate further in the coming days. He also noted that nearly three lakh acres of agricultural land, primarily paddy fields are submerged under floodwaters, causing significant crop losses just weeks ahead of the harvest. Additionally, he reported widespread loss of livestock, which has severely affected rural households dependent on dairy and animal husbandry for their livelihoods. Meanwhile, senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi urged both the Central and State governments to intensify and expedite relief and rescue operations. Given the scale of devastation, the government must work in mission mode. Farmers, labourers, cattle rearers, and common citizens should receive immediate and effective assistance, he said. The loss of lives and widespread destruction due to the severe floods in Punjab is extremely tragic and painful. I extend my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and pray for the safety of all those stranded, Gandhi said. Army aviation wing flies for over 250 hours; rescues 5,000 civilians, 300 paramilitary personnel from flood-affected states
Himachal records highest rainfall for August in 15 years; overnight landslides kill three
CHANDIGARH: Himachal Pradesh witnessed over 440 mm of rainfall in August, a staggering 72% above the normal of 256.8 mm, the highest recorded in the past fifteen years. The previous highest August rainfall was 322.5 mm in 2019, but this year saw an excess of 120 mm compared to that. Widespread heavy rain has caused landslides across the hill state, killing three people overnight, while the water level at Pong Dam has crossed its maximum capacity. A red alert has been issued in four districts, and an orange warning is in place for the rest of the state. The state has recorded excess rainfall ranging from 26% to 162% across different regions. Lahaul and Spiti saw 26% more rain, Kangra 29%, Chamba 104%, Solan 118%, Una 121%, Shimla 126%, and Kullu the highest at 162%. Last week alone, Himachal received 165.6 mm of rainfall against the normal 42.4 mm, a deviation of 291%. So far this monsoon, the state has recorded 826.8 mm of rainfall compared to the normal 613.8 mm, amounting to a 35% surplus. The seasonal normal for the entire monsoon period is 734.4 mm. 10 pilgrims dead, eight missing, 6,000 devotees evacuated amid Manimahesh Yatra disaster Landslides triggered by heavy rains led to three deaths in Shimla district. In one incident, 35-year-old Virender Kumar and his 10-year-old daughter were killed after their house was struck by a landslide in Mohal Jot village, Junga tehsil. His wife survived as she was outside at the time. Several cattle were also killed. In another incident, an elderly woman, Kalavati, was buried under debris after a landslide hit her house in Chol village, Kotkhai area. In Rohru subdivision, four families were evacuated after a landslide threatened three homes and buried two cowsheds, trapping livestock. The Manimahesh Yatra, which has claimed 16 lives this season, has been suspended due to the inclement weather. The traditional royal bath was cancelled, and rituals were instead conducted at 84 local temples. Road connectivity across the region has been severely disrupted. The KiratpurManali National Highway has been blocked at several locations between Mandi and Aut due to fresh landslides. Tourists, buses, and trucks are stranded on both sides. The MandiPathankot Highway is also closed near Lavandi Bridge between Mandi and Jogindernagar. The SansariKillarThirotTandi road in LahaulSpiti remains blocked due to rockfall at Nili Dhank. Three pilgrims die during Manimahesh Yatra; heavy rain forces closure of schools, roads in Himachal Authorities in Mandi and LahaulSpiti have issued advisories urging residents to avoid non-essential travel. Emergency services and police have been deployed to manage traffic and assist stranded commuters. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for Una, Sirmaur, Bilaspur, and Solan, forecasting heavy to very heavy rainfall over the next few hours. An orange alert has been issued for Shimla and surrounding areas. As of this morning, the water level at Pong Dam stood at 1,390.52 feet, slightly above its maximum capacity of 1,390 feet. The inflow was recorded at 79,790 cusecs, while the outflow was 1,09,920 cusecs. Of this, 17,079 cusecs passed through turbines and 92,841 cusecs through the spillway. Six machines remain operational at the powerhouse. 380 tourists evacuated from Sissu, Manimahesh Yatris stranded in Chamba as Himachal reels under heavy rains
Heavy rains lash several parts of Punjab, Haryana
CHANDIGARH: Rains lashed several parts of Punjab, Haryana and the Union Territory Chandigarh on Monday, with Ludhiana logging the highest rainfall of 216.70 mm. According to the Met department here, several places in Punjab and Haryana received rain during the 24-hour period ending 8:30 am Monday. Among other places in Punjab which received rain included Amritsar (24.1 mm), Patiala (80.4 mm), Pathankot (3.6 mm), Bathinda (3 mm), Faridkot (10.2 mm), Gurdaspur (2.7 mm), SBS Nagar (112.7 mm), Mohali (64 mm), Mansa (42 mm) and Rupnagar (82.5 mm). Chandigarh, the joint capital of both states, received 76.5 mm of rainfall. Among other places in Haryana, Ambala recorded 48.4 mm, Hisar (11.8 mm), Karnal (12.8 mm), Narnaul (66 mm), Rohtak (13.4 mm), Sirsa (130 mm), Panchkula (57 mm), Panipat (33 mm) and Gurugram (9.5 mm). Punjab is under the grip of massive floods, caused by the swollen Sutlej, Beas and Ravi rivers and seasonal rivulets due to heavy rain in their catchment areas in Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir. Villages worst-affected by the floods were in Pathankot, Gurdaspur, Fazilka, Kapurthala, Tarn Taran, Ferozepur, Hoshiarpur and Amritsar districts. Relief and rescue operations by the NDRF, Army, BSF, Punjab Police and district authorities continued on a war footing in the affected areas.
CHANDIGARH: The flood situation in Punjab has worsened due to incessant heavy rainfall, causing major rivers including the Ravi, Beas, Sutlej, and Ghaggar to swell. Out of Punjabs 23 districts, 22 have been affected so far. A total of 1,312 villages are impacted, nearly 3 lakh acres of standing crops have been inundated, and 26 people have lost their lives. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging the release of Rs 60,000 crore in state funds that he claims are pending with the Union Government. Punjab Revenue, Rehabilitation and Disaster Management Minister Hardeep Singh Mundian confirmed that the 1,312 affected villages include, 93 in Amritsar, 26 in Barnala, 21 in Bathinda, 1 in Fatehgarh Sahib, 92 in Fazilka, 107 in Ferozepur, 324 in Gurdaspur, 86 in Hoshiarpur, 55 in Jalandhar, 123 in Kapurthala, 26 in Ludhiana, 4 in Malerkotla, 77 in Mansa, 35 in Moga, 81 in Pathankot, 14 in Patiala, 2 in Rupnagar, 22 in Sangrur, 1 in SAS Nagar, 3 in SBS Nagar, 74 in Muktsar and 45 in Tarn Taran. Emergency response teams from the state machinery, along with NDRF, SDRF, the Army, and Punjab Police, are working round-the-clock to protect lives and property. Additional Chief Secretary and Financial Commissioner (Revenue), Anurag Verma, after inspecting villages along the Sutlej River in Ferozepur district, reported that nearly 3 lakh acres of land have been affected and around 1.25 lakh people are impacted by the floods. He added that the government has ordered a special girdawari (crop damage assessment) to provide compensation for crop losses. District authorities have been instructed to gather accurate loss data, and compensation will be disbursed per CM Manns directives. Currently, six NDRF teams are deployed in Gurdaspur and one each in Fazilka, Ferozepur, Pathankot, and Amritsar. Two SDRF teams are operational in Kapurthala. The Army, Navy, and Air Force are assisting in Kapurthala, Gurdaspur, Ferozepur, and Pathankot, while BSF teams are engaged in Gurdaspur and Ferozepur. Punjab Police and Fire Brigade are also assisting in Kapurthala and Ferozepur. Additionally, 15 boats in Kapurthala, 12 in Ferozepur, and 4 in Pathankot are engaged in evacuations, with airlifting operations carried out where required. So far, 26 people have died in the floods, including an irrigation department employee who fell into the Ravi River last week while trying to open flood gates at the Madhopur barrage. Sources said that the Ghaggar River is also overflowing due to excess water from the Markanda and Tangri rivers. Water levels at Chika (Haryana), Khanauri (Sangrur), and Sardulgarh (Mansa) are very high, though still below the danger mark. CM writes to PM Modi In his letter to Prime Minister Modi, CM Mann said that Punjab is facing one of its worst flood disasters in decades, with around 1,300 villages and lakhs of people affected. He said heavy rains and dam releases caused severe flooding in Gurdaspur, Kapurthala, Amritsar, Pathankot, Ferozepur, Fazilka, and Hoshiarpur. He noted that nearly 3 lakh acres of mainly paddy crops are submerged just weeks before harvest. Losses of livestock have also deeply affected rural families. The Chief Minister emphasized that Punjab has suffered a permanent revenue loss of Rs 49,727 crore due to the GST replacing VAT, with no compensation granted. Additionally, reductions in RDF and MDF have cost the state over Rs 8,000 crore, and the scrapping of PMGSY projects worth Rs 828 crore has further hurt development. He also slammed the existing State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) norms, calling them grossly inadequate. Current compensation for crop loss exceeding 33% stands at Rs 17,000 per hectare (or Rs 6,800 per acre). Mann stated the state government already tops this up to Rs 15,000 per acre, but given the extent of devastation, at least Rs 50,000 per acre should be provided. He urged a revision of SDRF norms and assured the Centre that Punjab would continue contributing its 25% share as per scheme guidelines. The Punjab government has extended school holidays till September 3. Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains said the decision was taken on CM Manns instructions to ensure student safety. He urged parents to prioritise their childrens well-being and requested teachers to stay in touch with district administrations to support community efforts. Schools were originally closed from August 27 to 30.
CHANDIGARH: The flood situation in Punjab has worsened due to incessant heavy rainfall, causing major rivers including the Ravi, Beas, Sutlej, and Ghaggar to swell. Out of Punjabs 23 districts, 22 have been affected so far. A total of 1,312 villages are impacted, nearly 3 lakh acres of standing crops have been inundated, and 26 people have lost their lives. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging the release of 60,000 crore in state funds that he claims are pending with the Union Government. Punjab Revenue, Rehabilitation and Disaster Management Minister Hardeep Singh Mundian confirmed that the 1,312 affected villages include, 93 in Amritsar, 26 in Barnala, 21 in Bathinda, 1 in Fatehgarh Sahib, 92 in Fazilka, 107 in Ferozepur, 324 in Gurdaspur, 86 in Hoshiarpur, 55 in Jalandhar, 123 in Kapurthala, 26 in Ludhiana, 4 in Malerkotla, 77 in Mansa, 35 in Moga, 81 in Pathankot, 14 in Patiala, 2 in Rupnagar, 22 in Sangrur, 1 in SAS Nagar, 3 in SBS Nagar, 74 in Muktsar and 45 in Tarn Taran. Emergency response teams from the state machinery, along with NDRF, SDRF, the Army, and Punjab Police, are working round-the-clock to protect lives and property. Additional Chief Secretary and Financial Commissioner (Revenue), Anurag Verma, after inspecting villages along the Sutlej River in Ferozepur district, reported that nearly 3 lakh acres of land have been affected and around 1.25 lakh people are impacted by the floods. He added that the government has ordered a special girdawari (crop damage assessment) to provide compensation for crop losses. District authorities have been instructed to gather accurate loss data, and compensation will be disbursed per CM Manns directives. Currently, six NDRF teams are deployed in Gurdaspur and one each in Fazilka, Ferozepur, Pathankot, and Amritsar. Two SDRF teams are operational in Kapurthala. The Army, Navy, and Air Force are assisting in Kapurthala, Gurdaspur, Ferozepur, and Pathankot, while BSF teams are engaged in Gurdaspur and Ferozepur. Punjab Police and Fire Brigade are also assisting in Kapurthala and Ferozepur. Additionally, 15 boats in Kapurthala, 12 in Ferozepur, and 4 in Pathankot are engaged in evacuations, with airlifting operations carried out where required. So far, 26 people have died in the floods, including an irrigation department employee who fell into the Ravi River last week while trying to open flood gates at the Madhopur barrage. Sources said that the Ghaggar River is also overflowing due to excess water from the Markanda and Tangri rivers. Water levels at Chika (Haryana), Khanauri (Sangrur), and Sardulgarh (Mansa) are very high, though still below the danger mark. CM writes to PM Modi In his letter to Prime Minister Modi, CM Mann said that Punjab is facing one of its worst flood disasters in decades, with around 1,300 villages and lakhs of people affected. He said heavy rains and dam releases caused severe flooding in Gurdaspur, Kapurthala, Amritsar, Pathankot, Ferozepur, Fazilka, and Hoshiarpur. He noted that nearly 3 lakh acres of mainly paddy crops are submerged just weeks before harvest. Losses of livestock have also deeply affected rural families. The Chief Minister emphasized that Punjab has suffered a permanent revenue loss of Rs 49,727 crore due to the GST replacing VAT, with no compensation granted. Additionally, reductions in RDF and MDF have cost the state over Rs 8,000 crore, and the scrapping of PMGSY projects worth Rs 828 crore has further hurt development. He also slammed the existing State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) norms, calling them grossly inadequate. Current compensation for crop loss exceeding 33% stands at Rs 17,000 per hectare (or Rs 6,800 per acre). Mann stated the state government already tops this up to Rs 15,000 per acre, but given the extent of devastation, at least Rs 50,000 per acre should be provided. He urged a revision of SDRF norms and assured the Centre that Punjab would continue contributing its 25% share as per scheme guidelines. The Punjab government has extended school holidays till September 3. Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains said the decision was taken on CM Manns instructions to ensure student safety. He urged parents to prioritise their childrens well-being and requested teachers to stay in touch with district administrations to support community efforts. Schools were originally closed from August 27 to 30.
Flood-ravaged Punjab receives 74% excess rain in August, highest in 25 years
Punjab and Haryana experienced excessive rainfall in August. Punjab received its highest rainfall in 25 years, 74% above normal. Eighteen of Punjab's districts recorded excess rain, leading to massive floods in Gurdaspur, Pathankot and other districts. Haryana also saw a 32% increase in rainfall. Chandigarh received an 8% increase. The heavy rains caused swollen rivers and rivulets.
Punjab floods: Death toll rises to 24; 1018 villages affected
CHANDIGARH: The floods in Punjab has claimed 24 lives so far. The flood situation continues to remain grim with 1,018 villages affected and standing crops in 1.51 lakh acres (61,273 hectares) remaining under water in nine districts of the state due to the surging Ravi, Beas and Sutluj rivers. The state has suffered huge financial loss due to crop damage and livestock deaths. As per reports from district headquarters, 16,632 hectares of land have been affected in Fazilka, 10,806 hectares in Ferozepur, 11,620 hectares in Kapurthala, 7,000 hectares in Pathankot, 9,928 hectares in Tarn Taran, and 5,287 hectares in Hoshiarpur. Currently, 77 relief camps are fully operational out of 87 set up in flood affected areas, providing shelter to 4,729 people. The administration is taking care of all the essential needs of these people. The Ravi river continued to flow at 4.60 lakh cusecs, well above the danger level at Dharamkot in Gurdaspur district. The water levels at the Madhopur and Ujh barrages receded to 39,000 cusecs and 7,700 cusecs, respectively. Both the BJP and the Congress party have written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi demanding a special relief package. The leader of opposition and senior congress leader Partap Singh Bajwa, in his letter, demanded Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a special central relief package, to provide compensation to the next of kin of the victims and farmers who suffered crop loss. Among other things, he also sought assistance for reconstruction of damaged roads, schools and homes and the launch a long term flood management plan for Punjab including strengthening embankments, delisting rivers, and coordinating water release with neighboring states. He also appealed to the PM to personally visit the state to witness the scale of devastation and reassure the affected families. Punjab BJP President Sunil Jakhar has also written a letter to PM Modi, urgently requesting central assistance. He emphasized the need for additional and immediate assistance given the severity of the disaster and urged the Prime Minister to deploy central assessment teams to evaluate the ground situation and announce a special relief package to address the immediate needs of Punjabs flood-affected people. Former Chief Minister and BJP leader Capt Amarinder Singh said that the devastating floods have shaken the entire state of Punjab, causing unprecedented damage to life, agriculture, and infrastructure. While almost every region has been affected, the most severe impact extends from Bhoa Assembly to Fazilka, along with Kapurthala district, Tarn Taran, Amritsar. He urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to immediately announce a special relief package for Punjab and to deploy additional central forces to assist in the ongoing rescue and rehabilitation operations. Timely assistance is crucial so that affected families and farmers are not left to suffer in silence. Punjabs economy, already under stress, cannot withstand this scale of destruction without urgent intervention from the Centre, he said. Punjabi singer Satinder Sartaaj has sent one month's ration for 500 families of the flood-affected border sub-division Ajnala. Amritsar Deputy Commissioner Sakshi Sawhney instructed her team of volunteers to deliver these materials to the needy. Another Punjabi singer Jasbir Jassi and Raj Kundra, husband of Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty, too, have announced relief for the flood-affected area. She said that drones were being used to reach out to people whose houses were submerged in the waters of the Ravi river in Ramdass area. She along with officers was today at Harar Kalan village in Ajnala and stated that the distribution of relief material had been started in the affected villages of the border subdivision. The district administration has also set up relief centres for animals in Chamyari and Ajnala Dana Mandi. Amid the ongoing flood situation in Punjab, acting Jathedar of Akal Takht (Highest Temporal seat of Sikhs) Giani Kuldip Gargay appealed to all the people to stand by one another in this difficult time and extend help to those in distress. He stressed that the real reasons behind the recurring floods in Punjab must be probed and then reasons should be made public so that the people of the state could be prepared for future natural calamities and concerted efforts be made to avoid or mitigate it.
10 pilgrims dead, eight missing, 6,000 devotees evacuated amid Manimahesh Yatra disaster
CHANDIGARH: Ten pilgrims have died, and eight are missing in the ongoing Manimahesh Yatra, which was suspended on Monday due to heavy rains, landslides, and flash floods. Around 6,000 devotees stranded in the Bharmour region have been safely evacuated to Nurpur and Pathankot from Kalsuin. Meanwhile, Dharamsala and McLeodganj are facing a water crisis as the water level at the Pong Dam remains above the danger mark. The Kiratpur-Manali National Highway has also been blocked again due to landslides. Sources report that seven rescue teams, comprising police personnel, home guards, volunteers, NCC cadets, local residents, and civil officers, have been deployed to aid in the rescue operations. The devotees, who had trekked approximately 14 km from the district headquarters to reach Kalsuin, were then transported by 39 buses and 25 taxis to Chamba and Nurpur. Authorities have arranged additional buses to evacuate the remaining pilgrims, with 40 more buses requested. To assist the evacuees, arrangements for food and shelter have been made in Chamba, with community kitchens (langars) set up in Kalsui, Dharwala, and Dakhog to provide meals to the stranded devotees. Despite the debris being cleared from the Kalsui-Rakh road, heavy vehicles cannot pass, making the road unsuitable for large-scale movement. Due to the heavy rains and subsequent flash floods, roads were washed away, and communication links were severed, leading to the deaths of ten devotees and leaving eight others missing en route to the Manimahesh Yatra. Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu conducted an aerial survey of the disaster-hit areas in Bharmour, Manimahesh, and other regions of Chamba district, as well as Fatehpur and Mand in Kangra district, following the excess water release from the Pong Dam. However, the adverse weather conditions prevented his helicopter from landing in Bharmour. The Chief Minister held a meeting with district administration officials in Chamba and instructed them to expedite the relief and rescue operations in the affected areas. He also stressed the importance of ensuring adequate arrangements for food, water, shelter, and other essential amenities for those stranded. Sukhu visited Kalsuin to oversee the transportation arrangements and interacted with the devotees. He said, The buses have been arranged for the devotees at Kalsuin near Chamba from where they could board the same for going towards Nurpur and Pathankot. He also directed officials to quickly restore the Salooni-Khundimaral road to facilitate the smooth movement of pilgrims, particularly those coming from Jammu's Kishtwar and Doda districts. Sukhu added that the State Governments pre-emptive measures had helped reduce the loss of lives compared to the devastation in 2023. However, the scale of destruction this year was far greater, with widespread damage to roads, electricity, water supply, and communication services. This year, the entire state has been hit by the destruction attributed to incessant rains, landslides, and cloud bursts. The rehabilitation is a challenge, but with the support of the people, we will overcome it courageously. It is our responsibility to rehabilitate the families who have been rendered homeless, lost all means of livelihood, and we will offer a special relief package to support them, he said. The Chief Minister acknowledged that the situation was being closely monitored by key government officials. Speaker of Vidhan Sabha Kuldeep Singh Pathania, Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi, and Public Works Minister Vikramaditya Singh are reviewing the situation on the ground, Sukhu said, highlighting the humanitarian approach being adopted by the government. He mentioned that, Revenue Minister Negi has proceeded for Bharmour on foot from Chamba. This demonstrates that the present government has adopted a humanitarian approach and was sensitively dealing with the crisis. Regarding road restoration, Sukhu mentioned that heavy machinery, including JCBs and poclains, has been deployed in the district. However, the weather has posed significant challenges to the relief and restoration works. The evacuation of those stranded in Bharmour is also dependent on favourable weather conditions, although helicopters have been deployed for this purpose. The Chief Minister also called for a study to determine the underlying reasons for the frequent occurrence of cloud bursts in the state, citing global warming and climate change as major contributors. We must dig deep to tackle this problem effectively and save valuable lives, he stressed. Before departing for Bharmour, Sukhu inquired about the relief and rehabilitation operations in Kangra district from the Deputy Commissioner, Hemraj Bairwa, following excess water release from Pong Dam. Meanwhile, the water level in the Pong Dam remains above the danger mark at 1,391.28 feet, slightly above the permissible limit of 1,390 feet. The inflow was recorded at 160,276 cusecs, and the outflow was 84,952 cusecs, of which 17,079 cusecs were released through turbines, and 67,873 cusecs through spillways. At the MHC, the discharge stood at 11,500 cusecs, and 73,452 cusecs were released downstream at the Shah Nehar Barrage, with six machines operational at the dam. The water shortage in Dharamsala and McLeodganj is also a growing concern, as several water supply schemes were disrupted due to heavy rainfall, which caused landslides and damaged pipelines. The main supply line from the Naddi water treatment plant to Dharamsala was damaged due to land subsidence, affecting several distribution networks. The Gajj Khadd scheme, one of the major sources of water for the city, has been non-functional for over a month, and both the Naddi-Bhatehad and Bhagsunag schemes were also disrupted, further affecting the water supply to large parts of the city. Once again, the Kiratpur-Manali National Highway has been blocked between Mandi and Kullu due to a massive landslide, just a day after it was reopened following a four-day closure. The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has deployed its workforce and heavy machinery to clear the blockage, but the disruption has left vehicles and tourists stranded. A flash flood triggered by heavy rainfall was reported at Katwadhi village under the Nandi Panchayat of Gohar subdivision in Mandi district. The sudden surge of water in the Naseni Nallah caused significant damage to local infrastructure, although fortunately, no loss of human life has been reported. As of this morning, 557 roads, including three national highways, remain closed for traffic. Of these, 213 are in Mandi district, 160 in Kullu, 28 in Shimla, 38 in Sirmaur, 60 in Kangra, 23 in Una, 14 in Lahaul and Spiti, 11 in Solan, and 9 in Bilaspur district. According to the State Emergency Operations Centre, 936 power supply transformers and 223 water supply schemes have also been disrupted across the state. In Shimla, two individuals, Hemant and Pyare Lal, were injured after their houses were damaged by landslides in Thala village in Rampur Subdivision. Both were rushed to nearby medical facilities for treatment.
10 pilgrims dead, eight missing, 5,000 devotees evacuated amid Manimahesh Yatra disaster
CHANDIGARH: Ten pilgrims have died, and eight are missing in the ongoing Manimahesh Yatra, which was suspended on Monday due to heavy rains, landslides, and flash floods. Around 5,000 devotees stranded in the Bharmour region have been safely evacuated to Nurpur and Pathankot from Kalsuin. Meanwhile, Dharamsala and McLeodganj are facing a water crisis as the water level at the Pong Dam remains above the danger mark. The Kiratpur-Manali National Highway has also been blocked again due to landslides. Sources report that seven rescue teams, comprising police personnel, home guards, volunteers, NCC cadets, local residents, and civil officers, have been deployed to aid in the rescue operations. The devotees, who had trekked approximately 14 km from the district headquarters to reach Kalsuin, were then transported by 39 buses and 25 taxis to Chamba and Nurpur. Authorities have arranged additional buses to evacuate the remaining pilgrims, with 40 more buses requested. To assist the evacuees, arrangements for food and shelter have been made in Chamba, with community kitchens (langars) set up in Kalsui, Dharwala, and Dakhog to provide meals to the stranded devotees. Despite the debris being cleared from the Kalsui-Rakh road, heavy vehicles cannot pass, making the road unsuitable for large-scale movement. Due to the heavy rains and subsequent flash floods, roads were washed away, and communication links were severed, leading to the deaths of ten devotees and leaving eight others missing en route to the Manimahesh Yatra. Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu conducted an aerial survey of the disaster-hit areas in Bharmour, Manimahesh, and other regions of Chamba district, as well as Fatehpur and Mand in Kangra district, following the excess water release from the Pong Dam. However, the adverse weather conditions prevented his helicopter from landing in Bharmour. The Chief Minister held a meeting with district administration officials in Chamba and instructed them to expedite the relief and rescue operations in the affected areas. He also stressed the importance of ensuring adequate arrangements for food, water, shelter, and other essential amenities for those stranded. Sukhu visited Kalsuin to oversee the transportation arrangements and interacted with the devotees. He said, The buses have been arranged for the devotees at Kalsuin near Chamba from where they could board the same for going towards Nurpur and Pathankot. He also directed officials to quickly restore the Salooni-Khundimaral road to facilitate the smooth movement of pilgrims, particularly those coming from Jammu's Kishtwar and Doda districts. Sukhu added that the State Governments pre-emptive measures had helped reduce the loss of lives compared to the devastation in 2023. However, the scale of destruction this year was far greater, with widespread damage to roads, electricity, water supply, and communication services. This year, the entire state has been hit by the destruction attributed to incessant rains, landslides, and cloud bursts. The rehabilitation is a challenge, but with the support of the people, we will overcome it courageously. It is our responsibility to rehabilitate the families who have been rendered homeless, lost all means of livelihood, and we will offer a special relief package to support them, he said. The Chief Minister acknowledged that the situation was being closely monitored by key government officials. Speaker of Vidhan Sabha Kuldeep Singh Pathania, Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi, and Public Works Minister Vikramaditya Singh are reviewing the situation on the ground, Sukhu said, highlighting the humanitarian approach being adopted by the government. He mentioned that, Revenue Minister Negi has proceeded for Bharmour on foot from Chamba. This demonstrates that the present government has adopted a humanitarian approach and was sensitively dealing with the crisis. Regarding road restoration, Sukhu mentioned that heavy machinery, including JCBs and poclains, has been deployed in the district. However, the weather has posed significant challenges to the relief and restoration works. The evacuation of those stranded in Bharmour is also dependent on favourable weather conditions, although helicopters have been deployed for this purpose. The Chief Minister also called for a study to determine the underlying reasons for the frequent occurrence of cloud bursts in the state, citing global warming and climate change as major contributors. We must dig deep to tackle this problem effectively and save valuable lives, he stressed. Before departing for Bharmour, Sukhu inquired about the relief and rehabilitation operations in Kangra district from the Deputy Commissioner, Hemraj Bairwa, following excess water release from Pong Dam. Meanwhile, the water level in the Pong Dam remains above the danger mark at 1,391.28 feet, slightly above the permissible limit of 1,390 feet. The inflow was recorded at 160,276 cusecs, and the outflow was 84,952 cusecs, of which 17,079 cusecs were released through turbines, and 67,873 cusecs through spillways. At the MHC, the discharge stood at 11,500 cusecs, and 73,452 cusecs were released downstream at the Shah Nehar Barrage, with six machines operational at the dam. The water shortage in Dharamsala and McLeodganj is also a growing concern, as several water supply schemes were disrupted due to heavy rainfall, which caused landslides and damaged pipelines. The main supply line from the Naddi water treatment plant to Dharamsala was damaged due to land subsidence, affecting several distribution networks. The Gajj Khadd scheme, one of the major sources of water for the city, has been non-functional for over a month, and both the Naddi-Bhatehad and Bhagsunag schemes were also disrupted, further affecting the water supply to large parts of the city. Once again, the Kiratpur-Manali National Highway has been blocked between Mandi and Kullu due to a massive landslide, just a day after it was reopened following a four-day closure. The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has deployed its workforce and heavy machinery to clear the blockage, but the disruption has left vehicles and tourists stranded. A flash flood triggered by heavy rainfall was reported at Katwadhi village under the Nandi Panchayat of Gohar subdivision in Mandi district. The sudden surge of water in the Naseni Nallah caused significant damage to local infrastructure, although fortunately, no loss of human life has been reported. As of this morning, 557 roads, including three national highways, remain closed for traffic. Of these, 213 are in Mandi district, 160 in Kullu, 28 in Shimla, 38 in Sirmaur, 60 in Kangra, 23 in Una, 14 in Lahaul and Spiti, 11 in Solan, and 9 in Bilaspur district. According to the State Emergency Operations Centre, 936 power supply transformers and 223 water supply schemes have also been disrupted across the state. In Shimla, two individuals, Hemant and Pyare Lal, were injured after their houses were damaged by landslides in Thala village in Rampur Subdivision. Both were rushed to nearby medical facilities for treatment.
CHANDIGARH: The flood situation in Punjab remains critical, with 836 villages and standing crops across more than 1.10 lakh acres affected in eight districts, Pathankot, Gurdaspur, Fazilka, Kapurthala, Tarn Taran, Ferozepur, Hoshiarpur and Amritsar, due to swelling of the Ravi, Beas and Sutlej rivers. So far, 7,689 people have been evacuated to safer locations. Heavy rains and the rising Ghaggar river, following intense rainfall in its catchment area and the opening of floodgates at Sukhna Lake in Chandigarh, have prompted a flood alert in Patiala. Drones have been pressed into service to deliver relief material, including medicines, dry rations and water bottles, to affected residents in Dera Baba Nanak in Gurdaspur district. Meanwhile, amphibious ATOR (All Terrain Off Road) vehicles have been deployed to evacuate stranded villagers in the Ramdas area of Amritsar. Chairing a high-level meeting to review the flood situation, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said, The heavy flow of water from hilly areas has created havoc for the state. Till date, 14.11 lakh cusecs of water has been received in river Ravi. This is the highest discharge the state has ever received; it was 11.20 lakh cusecs when severe floods struck the state in 1988. He added that the state government has already written to Haryana and Rajasthan, urging them to release maximum water from the rivers. The army has already been deployed in five flood-affected districts and is conducting rescue operations along with the administration using state-of-the-art equipment and machinery, CM Mann said. Seventeen teams of the NDRF have also been deployed to carry out relief measures so that the flood-affected people can be rescued. He noted that continuous on-ground operations are ongoing to evacuate stranded people, assess damage, and prevent disease outbreaks. Flood situation remains grim in eight districts of Punjab; dams near capacity CM Mann also said the government has constituted a high-powered committee of three senior officers to supervise relief and rescue operations in the flood-hit districts daily. The committee, comprising senior officers from the Revenue, Water Resources and Food and Civil Supplies departments, will remain stationed in Amritsar and other affected areas. He asked the Chief Secretary to visit flood-affected areas to ensure relief and rescue operations are carried out more effectively. Special Director General of Police (Law and Order) Arpit Shukla said, With heavy rainfall in the catchment areas continuing to swell the Sutlej, Beas, Ravi and Ujh rivers, Punjab Police, along with teams from the Army, Border Security Force, NDRF, SDRF and civil administration, have been working in tandem. So far, 7,689 people have been evacuated and shifted to safe places. Shukla, personally supervising the situation, added, Drones are being used to trace people for evacuation and to deliver food packets and other essential items. He noted that 20 Indian Army helicopters have been stationed in the state to help evacuate and relocate people safely. Since 27 August, troops of the Army's Panther Division have been tirelessly operating in the flood-hit Ramdas-Ajnala belt. In 40+ submerged villages, soldiers are carrying out nonstop rescue and relief operationsevacuating families, delivering medical aid, distributing food and essentials, and supporting civil authorities in restoring normalcy, the Army posted on X. Amritsar district administration has deployed amphibious ATOR vehicles and boats to reach stranded villagers. Amritsar Deputy Commissioner Sakshi Sawhney said, We are reaching out to stranded people in waterlogged villages by boat. People are being continuously evacuated to safe locations, and those who wish to stay back are being provided with necessary supplies through boats. While 836 villages and standing crops across 1.10 lakh acres were worst affected, heavy rains have triggered flood alerts in Patiala, where 202 villages in Gurdaspur, 107 in Kapurthala, 85 in Gurdaspur, 81 in Pathankot, 93 in Ferozepur, 64 in Muktsar and 45 in Tarn Taran are at risk. The Patiala district administration has issued a high alert for low-lying villages along the Ghaggar river following heavy rainfall in its catchment area and the opening of Sukhna Lake floodgates. Punjab flood crisis deepens: rivers overflow, dams exceed limits, villages submerged Villages along the Ghaggar river embankment near Derabassi were also advised to stay alert, although authorities assured residents there was no cause for panic. In Hoshiarpur, villages are still reeling from the damage caused by the Chakki Khad tributary of the Beas, which breached embankments and submerged farmlands in Mukerian subdivision. Residents have urged authorities to plug the breaches immediately to prevent further losses. Farmlands in several villages across Tanda and Mukerian subdivisions have remained submerged for days. Hoshiarpur Deputy Commissioner Ashika Jain visited flood-affected areas of Tanda and Dasuya subdivisions and assured that all efforts were being made to provide timely assistance. The Ferozepur district remains heavily affected, with nearly 16,000 acres of crops inundated and 62 villages badly hit. Over 2,500 residents have been rescued, and 13 relief camps have been established to shelter displaced families. Officials also noted that the Pong Dam on the Beas river remains above the danger mark, with water levels at 1,391.98 feet on Friday morning, an outflow of 1,00,614 cusecs, and an inflow of 53,000 cusecs. Leader of the Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa said, All INC Punjab MLAs and I have decided to contribute one month's salary to the Chief Minister's Flood Relief Fund. In solidarity with the flood-affected families of Punjab, this is a humble gesture of empathy in these testing times. I urge all citizens and organisations to come forward for relief and rehabilitation. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann had earlier stated that his entire cabinet and all AAP MLAs would donate one month's salary towards flood relief efforts. Punjab BJP President Sunil Jakhar visited the flood-affected Ajnala Assembly constituency, criticising the state governments utilisation of disaster funds. The Central Government has released 229 crore out of the allocated 611 crore for disaster management in Punjab, but the state government has failed to utilise these funds effectively, he said. Jakhar added that he would write to the Prime Minister to request additional assistance for Punjabs flood-affected people.
CHANDIGARH: Heavy rainfall has triggered fresh landslides and flash floods across five districts of Himachal Pradesh, Chamba, Kullu, Lahaul Spiti, Kangra, and Mandi, leaving the situation grim. Around 380 tourists stranded in Sissu, Lahaul and Spiti, have been safely evacuated. Meanwhile, pilgrims of the Manimahesh Yatra, which was suspended on Monday due to heavy rains, remain stranded in Chamba town owing to massive landslides. Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu presided over a disaster review meeting covering the five affected districts through video conference from New Delhi today. He discussed the current situation at length with the Divisional Commissioner, Kangra, stationed at Chamba, as well as with the Deputy Commissioner of Chamba and the Superintendent of Police, both stationed at Bharmour. Sukhu sought information about the stranded Manimahesh Yatris, losses incurred due to flash floods and heavy rains, and the status of ongoing relief and restoration works. He was informed that all the stranded devotees were safe and well attended to, with proper arrangements for food, shelter, and first aid. He directed the restoration of communication services across the district, particularly in Bharmour, to ensure that residents could contact their near and dear ones. Additionally, he instructed authorities to make arrangements for the safe return of the devotees housed in large numbers at Chamba Chaugan. It was also reported in the meeting that Jio, Airtel, and BSNL services have been restored in Chamba town, and the 25-kilometre road from Chamba to Bharmour has been reopened. Sukhu instructed the Chamba and Bharmour district administration to prioritise the evacuation of Manimahesh Yatris, especially women and children. He also directed the airlifting of the elderly and ill. He emphasised the provision of basic amenities, including food, shelter, and first aid, and instructed authorities to facilitate the safe journey of the stranded devotees to their destinations. In addition, he ordered airdrops of food at inaccessible locations where devotees were still stranded. Sukhu asked for adequate stocks of rations and vegetables, deployment of Air Force helicopters, and assignment of officers to ensure patch-wise restoration of roads washed away or blocked by landslides. He further called for additional manpower and machinery to clear roads swiftly and to restore water and electricity schemes. The Chief Minister was briefed on the status of blocked roads, disrupted electricity, irrigation and drinking water schemes, and communication services in the affected districts. He directed the Deputy Commissioners of Mandi and Kullu to ensure smooth vehicular movement through alternate routes and emphasised the prompt restoration of drinking water and electricity, alongside reopening blocked roads. Inquiring about the situation in Bara-Bhangal, Kangra district, Sukhu ordered airdrops of food grains and other essentials for residents. He also called for speedy assessments of land lost to the floods. He reviewed restoration works at Indora, Fatehpur, and Pong dam. Officials reported that the water level in Pong dam has decreased and that people from submerged areas have been safely relocated. Sukhu instructed the Deputy Commissioner of Lahaul and Spiti to ensure the evacuation of all tourists. Later, DC Lahaul and Spiti Kiran Bhadana confirmed that around 380 tourists stranded in Sissu had been safely evacuated. She reported that Jio and Airtel services had been restored, with further efforts underway to restore other networks. She also confirmed that power supply had been restored in many areas, and generation had resumed at Thirot electricity substation. The Chief Minister asked the Chief Secretary to coordinate with the district administration for the proper execution of these measures. It was reported that the PathankotChamba road is now open to all vehicles, while small vehicles are plying via the KamandKatola road towards Kullu. Sukhu directed the district administration to restrict this alternate route to small vehicles, with heavy vehicles halted at Mandi until roads are cleared. He was informed that the KulluMandi NH-03 is open to small vehicles and that major roads in Mandi have been cleared, except for the MandiSarkaghat route via Basahi/Dharampur.
