Punjab declares all 23 districts flood-hit as Ravi, Beas and Sutlej swell

The Punjab Government has declared all 23 districts of the state flood-affected, as heavy rain in the catchment areas of the Ravi, Beas and Sutlej rivers in Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir continued to swell the rivers.

The order, issued by Chief Secretary K.A.P. Sinha on Tuesday, empowers deputy commissioners to act on their own in the event of any threatening disaster situation and to remain prepared for emergencies. Until Monday, 12 districts had been listed as flood-affected.

According to official figures, 30 people have died, about 1,400 villages have been hit and around 3.55 lakh people have been affected. Standing crops on more than 4 lakh acres are under water, and nearly 19,600 people have been evacuated to safer places.

The state has set up 171 relief camps, which are sheltering more than 5,100 people. Gurdaspur is among the worst-hit districts.

The water level at the Pong Dam on the Beas has crossed the danger mark, and more rain has been forecast in the coming days.