Chandigarh, August 30, 2025: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) today issued an orange alert for heavy to very heavy rainfall across key districts of Punjab — Pathankot, Hoshiarpur, and Rupnagar. Simultaneously, yellow alerts have been sounded for Gurdaspur, Nawanshahr, Fatehgarh Sahib, and Patiala, signaling the potential for significant rainfall and associated challenges.
Alerts Extended Through September 1: The IMD has extended these weather warnings through September 1, particularly for flood-affected regions. On Sunday, areas under alert include Pathankot, Hoshiarpur, Rupnagar, and Mohali; on Monday, the focus shifts to Pathankot, Hoshiarpur, and Nawanshahr,
India’s weather alert system employs a four-tier colour code—green, yellow, orange, and red—to communicate severity:
Yellow Alert: Denotes possible heavy rainfall, perhaps causing localized flooding in low-lying areas and disruptions to outdoor activities. Residents are advised to stay alert and monitor updates
Orange Alert: Indicates expected intense rainfall—usually between 115.6 mm to 204.4 mm within 24 hours—with heightened risk of flooding, transportation disruption, power outages, and potential landslides
Red Alert, the most severe, is issued when rainfall exceeds 204.5 mm in a day, posing serious threats to life and infrastructure
Punjab has already endured exceptional rainfall in recent days. From 8:30 am Monday to 8:30 am Tuesday, the state received 54 mm of rain—a staggering 1,643% above normal (normal ~3.1 mm)
Several districts continue to reel under flood stress:
The Ghaggar River has breached embankments, submerging farmlands in Patiala’s villages such as Khajur Mandi, Tiwana, Sadhanpur, and Sarsini.
Rescue operations are in full swing: 20 Army helicopters have been deployed, local SSPs are coordinating evacuations, and vulnerable communities are being moved to safer locations
School closures have been announced across the state due to rising flood risks:
All schools remain closed from August 27 to 30, pending further review beyond today.
The declaration was shared by Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann, who stressed that the safety of students is paramount
Forecast: Rain Remains Steady Through Early September
IMD forecasts “heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated places” across northern India, including Punjab, on August 30–31 and into September 1. While the most intense alert today is orange, yellow alerts through early September reflect ongoing vigilance.
| Date | Alert Type | Affected Districts | Impacts Expected |
| Aug 30 | Orange | Pathankot, Hoshiarpur, Rupnagar | Heavy downpours; flooding; transport & power disruptions |
| Aug 30 | Yellow | Gurdaspur, Nawanshahr, Fatehgarh Sahib, Patiala | Potential localized flooding; caution advised |
| Aug 31–Sep 1 | Yellow (extended) | Same + Mohali | Continued rainfall risk; sustained vigilance required |
Punjab’s heavy monsoon rains have prompted orange and yellow alerts for the coming days. With flood-affected zones still vulnerable, authorities are on high alert—conducting evacuations, deploying rescue resources, and safeguarding communities.
