CHANDIGARH, Sept 3 — Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan on Wednesday expressed solidarity with the people of Punjab as the state struggles with severe flooding. Posting on his X handle, the actor wrote, “My heart goes out to those in Punjab impacted by these devastating floods. Sending prayers and strength… The spirit of Punjab shall never break… may God bless them all.”
Punjab is facing massive floods caused by swollen Sutlej, Beas and Ravi rivers, as well as seasonal rivulets, following heavy rainfall in their catchment areas in Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir. The deluge has claimed 30 lives and affected over 3.5 lakh people, according to an official bulletin covering the period from August 1 to September 2.
Shah Rukh’s message comes amid widespread relief efforts by authorities and citizens to support those affected by one of the worst floods in decades in the state.
Punjab, located in northwest India, is crisscrossed by several major rivers that form part of the Indus basin system. The state’s primary rivers—Sutlej, Beas, and Ravi—originate in the Himalayan region of Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir, flowing southwest through Punjab before entering Pakistan. These rivers, along with smaller seasonal rivulets, provide water for irrigation, drinking, and hydroelectric purposes but also make the state prone to flooding, especially during the monsoon season.
The floods in Punjab in 2025 are the result of a combination of natural and man-made factors:
Excessive rainfall in catchment areas: Heavy monsoon rains in Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir over the last two months have significantly increased water inflow into the Sutlej, Beas, and Ravi rivers.
Bhakra Dam and other reservoir releases: The Bhakra Dam, one of India’s largest reservoirs on the Sutlej, released large volumes of water to manage its rising levels, contributing to downstream flooding in Rupnagar, Patiala, and other districts.
Blocked or encroached drainage channels: Encroachments along riverbanks, seasonal rivulets, and ponds have reduced natural drainage capacity, worsening inundation in urban and rural areas.
Urbanization and poor infrastructure: Rapid urban growth in cities like Mohali, Chandigarh, and Ludhiana has led to inadequate stormwater management systems, making towns more vulnerable to waterlogging.
The floods have affected both rural and urban areas:
Rural districts: Rupnagar, Patiala, SAS Nagar (Mohali), Ludhiana, Barnala, Sangrur, and Kapurthala experienced rising river levels and inundation of agricultural land. Over 3.5 lakh people have been impacted. Crop loss has been reported over thousands of hectares.
Urban centers: Panchkula, Chandigarh, and Mohali saw major waterlogging, submerged roads, fallen trees, electricity outages, and disruptions to daily life. Key infrastructure such as bridges and expressways were damaged.
Fatalities and injuries: At least 30 deaths have been reported due to drowning, building collapse, and accidents caused by flooding.
Property and infrastructure: Hundreds of homes, commercial establishments, roads, and bridges were damaged. Floodwaters entered low-lying neighborhoods, and electricity and water supplies were disrupted in many areas.
Agriculture: Standing crops in several districts were destroyed, leading to economic losses for farmers and local communities.
Punjab has a history of flooding, particularly in districts along the Sutlej and Beas rivers. The region has experienced periodic inundation due to monsoon rains and Himalayan runoff. However, the 2025 floods are considered among the worst in decades because of the combination of extreme rainfall, high reservoir discharge, and urban drainage failures.
Alerts and evacuation: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued red, orange, and yellow alerts for Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, and Haryana. District administrations in Rupnagar, Patiala, SAS Nagar, and other areas issued warnings and evacuated vulnerable residents.
Relief operations: Teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), state disaster management authorities, police, and volunteers are providing rescue, medical aid, and relief materials. Relief camps have been set up for displaced residents.
Political and social response: Several political leaders, including AAP MLA and party workers, as well as celebrities like Shah Rukh Khan, have expressed solidarity and mobilized resources for affected people.
Environmental Factors: Climate change has intensified rainfall patterns, leading to heavier monsoon downpours in the Himalayan catchment areas.
Deforestation and soil erosion in upstream Himachal Pradesh have increased sediment flow into rivers, reducing their capacity to carry floodwater downstream.
Authorities continue to monitor river levels, especially the Sutlej and Ghaggar rivers. With heavy rains expected in the coming days, further inundation remains a risk. Restoration of infrastructure and drainage, along with careful water management at dams, is critical to mitigating further damage.
