Punjab braces for heavy rainfall: Yellow alert issued, flood-hit districts on high alert
PTC Web Desk: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow alert for Punjab, warning of heavy rainfall in parts of the state on Friday. Pathankot, Hoshiarpur, and Rupnagar districts are expected to receive above-normal showers due to an active western disturbance that has re-energised the monsoon in North India. A similar alert has also been sounded in neighbouring Himachal Pradesh.
Currently, seven districts of Punjab—Kapurthala, Tarn Taran, Fazilka, Ferozepur, Hoshiarpur, Pathankot, and Amritsar—are reeling under flood conditions. Officials have warned that if heavy rainfall continues in the hills, the water level of rivers in the plains may rise sharply, posing fresh risks of inundation.
On Thursday, 69,800 cusecs of water was released from Pong Dam, which has already impacted Tanda in Hoshiarpur district. Six villages—Gandowal, Rara Mand, Talhi, Abdullapur, Meva Miani, and Fatta Kulla—have reported flooding, with large tracts of paddy fields submerged. The reservoir level has climbed to 1,384.45 feet, close to the danger mark of 1,390 feet. Currently, nearly 1.15 lakh cusecs of water is flowing through the Beas River.
The situation is likely to worsen as the IMD has issued an orange alert for Saturday (August 23), predicting heavy to very heavy rainfall in 16 districts of Punjab. Himachal Pradesh will also remain under an orange alert the same day. Experts caution that an increase in water inflow into reservoirs may lead to the release of excess water, further aggravating flood threats in Punjab.
Meanwhile, the state recorded no rainfall on Thursday, leading to a rise in temperatures by three degrees Celsius. The day’s highest temperature was logged in Mohali at 35.4°C, followed by Patiala at 34.6°C, Faridkot at 34.4°C, Ludhiana at 33.8°C, and Amritsar at 33.4°C.
Authorities have urged residents in low-lying and flood-prone areas to remain on alert for the next five days.
- PTC NEWS
