The flood situation in Punjab has taken a devastating turn, leading to the intervention of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who personally called Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Monday evening to take stock of the crisis. The call came immediately after PM Modi landed in Delhi, returning from his four-day visits to Japan and China, highlighting the urgency of the situation and the Centre’s commitment to providing full assistance to Punjab during one of its most severe natural calamities in decades.

Punjab Floods: A Crisis Unfolding

Punjab is currently witnessing one of the worst floods in recent history, with the situation worsening due to continuous heavy rainfall in various parts of the state. The flooding is primarily attributed to the swollen Sutlej, Beas, and Ravi rivers, as well as seasonal rivulets that have surged due to excessive rainfall in their catchment areas located in Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir.

According to official reports, the floods have claimed 29 lives so far and disrupted the lives of over 2.56 lakh people. More than 1,000 villages are reported to be submerged or severely affected, forcing large-scale displacement and destruction of property.

The worst-hit districts include Gurdaspur, Pathankot, Fazilka, Kapurthala, Tarn Taran, Ferozepur, Hoshiarpur, and Amritsar, where both rural and semi-urban populations are struggling with inundation, lack of resources, and restricted access to essential supplies. Roads have been cut off in several areas, further complicating relief operations.

Punjab CM Mann’s Appeal to PM Modi

Prior to PM Modi’s intervention, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann had written a letter to the Prime Minister, describing the floods as one of the gravest disasters Punjab has faced in decades. The letter outlined the severe humanitarian and infrastructural damage caused by the calamity, stressing the urgent need for central support, relief funds, and immediate assistance to mitigate the crisis.

Mann pointed out that the state government’s resources were overstretched in the face of such widespread destruction and called for collaborative efforts between the Centre and the state to provide relief to the lakhs of affected citizens.

PM Modi’s Response: Assurance of Support

Acting swiftly upon returning to India, Prime Minister Modi personally reached out to CM Mann and assured him that the Centre would provide all possible assistance. Government sources confirmed that the Prime Minister expressed concern over the loss of lives and displacement of citizens and promised that the central agencies would coordinate with state authorities for relief and rescue operations.

This move highlights the Prime Minister’s proactive governance style, where he took direct charge of monitoring the flood crisis even after a significant diplomatic engagement abroad.

Impact of Floods on Punjab’s Economy and Agriculture

Punjab, often referred to as the “food bowl of India”, is heavily dependent on agriculture. The floods have inundated large swathes of farmland, raising concerns about crop damage, especially for paddy and maize. This has long-term implications not only for the state’s economy but also for the nation’s food security.

Thousands of farmers have reported damage to their standing crops, livestock losses, and soil erosion. The situation could lead to financial distress among rural households, which are already grappling with high input costs and unstable agricultural incomes.

Infrastructure damage is another key challenge. Roads, bridges, and electricity lines have been severely affected in multiple districts, complicating the delivery of relief supplies. Schools and health centers have been converted into temporary shelters, but with limited facilities, living conditions remain harsh for displaced families.

Government and Relief Measures

Relief operations are being carried out by state disaster management teams, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and local authorities. Rescue boats are being used to evacuate stranded villagers, while temporary shelters are being set up in higher ground areas.

The Punjab government is coordinating with health officials to prevent waterborne diseases such as cholera, dysentery, and dengue, which often follow large-scale flooding. Food supplies, clean drinking water, and medical assistance are being dispatched to relief camps.

The Army and Air Force are also likely to be engaged in intensified operations, depending on the situation, to ensure timely rescue and rehabilitation.

PM Modi’s Foreign Visit and Return to Domestic Challenges

The Prime Minister’s call to CM Mann came soon after his return from international engagements in Japan and China. PM Modi visited Japan on August 29-30, 2025, to attend the 15th India-Japan Annual Summit in Tokyo, where he engaged in strategic discussions to strengthen bilateral ties.

Following this, he traveled to China for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit held between August 31 and September 1, where he held bilateral meetings with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Describing his overseas engagements as “productive,” PM Modi noted on social media that he emphasized India’s stance on crucial global issues and reaffirmed the country’s role in international diplomacy. However, upon returning, his immediate focus shifted to domestic challenges, underscoring his priority to address pressing national emergencies such as the Punjab floods.

Humanitarian Concerns and Future Steps

The floods have not only caused physical destruction but also triggered psychological trauma among affected communities. Families have lost homes, belongings, and livelihoods. Children have been particularly vulnerable, with disrupted schooling and exposure to unsafe environments.

The long-term rehabilitation process will involve rebuilding infrastructure, providing compensation to affected families, ensuring financial assistance to farmers, and restoring essential services. Experts suggest that better flood management systems and modern river monitoring technologies must be implemented to prevent such large-scale disasters in the future.

Environmentalists have also pointed out the urgent need for sustainable river basin management and climate-resilient infrastructure, as heavy rainfall patterns are expected to intensify in the coming years due to climate change.

Political and Administrative Dimensions

The handling of the floods is likely to have political implications as well. The Punjab government, led by CM Mann, will be closely watched for its relief and rehabilitation strategies. Meanwhile, the Centre’s support and PM Modi’s direct intervention may influence political narratives around Centre-state coordination during crises.

The call between PM Modi and CM Mann reflects a collaborative governance approach, which is crucial at a time when millions are facing uncertainty due to the floods.

The Upcoming IPOs in this week and coming weeks are Vashishtha Luxury Fashion, Karbonsteel Engineering, Sharvaya Metals, Austere Systems, Optivalue Tek Consulting, Vigor Plast India, Goel Construction Company.

The Current active IPO are Amanta Healthcare, Rachit Prints, Abril Paper Tech, Sneha Organics, Sugs Lloyd, Oval Projects.

Start your Stock Market Journey and Apply in IPO by Opening Free Demat Account in Choice Broking FinX.

Join our Trading with CA Abhay Telegram Channel for regular Stock Market Trading and Investment Calls by CA Abhay Varn - SEBI Registered Research Analyst.