Heavy rainfall and monsoon floods devastate Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, and Chandigarh, causing deaths and widespread disruption. Since late August 2025, rain and floods in India have battered Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, and Chandigarh, killing at least 29 in Punjab and triggering landslides, flash flood, and infrastructure damage, with authorities racing to provide relief.
Rain and flood in India highlight the region’s vulnerability to extreme monsoon events, threatening agriculture, infrastructure, and lives across South Asia’s economic and cultural hub, underscoring the need for robust climate adaptation measures.
Monsoon Floods in India: Punjab’s Heavy Toll
In Punjab, monsoon flood in India have caused significant loss, with 29 deaths reported between Monday, August 1, 2025, and Sunday, August 31, 2025, due to rain-related incidents. Punjab Revenue Minister Hardeep Singh Mundian stated on Monday, September 1, 2025, that “incessant rainfall and flooding have impacted nearly every district, causing severe damage to lives, crops, livestock, and infrastructure.” According to official statements from the Punjab government, 1,044 villages across 12 districts, including Amritsar, Barnala, Fazilka, and Jalandhar, have been affected. The state recorded 91 flash floods, submerging roads and farmlands.
Himachal Pradesh Grapples with Disaster
In Himachal Pradesh, rain and flood in India have led to a state of emergency. On Monday, September 1, 2025, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu declared the state a “natural disaster-affected area” in the State Assembly, citing 91 flash floods, 45 cloudbursts, and 105 landslides. The State Revenue Department’s disaster management cell reported 38 people missing as of 7:00 AM on Tuesday, September 2, 2025. Infrastructure damage is extensive, with 819 roads, including three national highways, and 1,236 electricity transformers affected. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a red alert for heavy to extremely heavy rainfall in districts like Una, Bilaspur, and Shimla until Tuesday, September 2, 2025.
Haryana and Chandigarh on High Alert
Haryana’s government has instructed field officers to remain vigilant until Friday, September 5, 2025, following IMD warnings of continued heavy rainfall. In Chandigarh, authorities are implementing measures to address waterlogging and traffic disruptions caused by monsoon floods. Jalandhar, Punjab, saw roads submerged under knee-deep water on Monday, September 1, 2025, severely impacting daily life.
Rescue and Relief Operations
The Indian Army, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) are actively engaged in rescue operations across affected areas. In Punjab, efforts focus on evacuating residents from low-lying areas along the Sutlej, Beas, and Ravi rivers, swollen due to upstream rainfall in Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir. In Himachal Pradesh, restoration work continues on the Kiratpur-Manali section of National Highway-21, where 10 sections were washed away.
Background
Monsoon floods are a recurring challenge, exacerbated by climate change and unplanned urbanisation. The IMD reported that Punjab received 253.7 mm of rainfall in August 2025, 74% above normal, the highest in 25 years. Haryana recorded 194.5 mm, a 32% surplus. These figures reflect intensifying monsoon patterns, increasing the frequency and severity of rain and floods.
What’s Next
With the IMD forecasting heavy rainfall until Tuesday, September 2, 2025, rain and floods in India are likely to persist, requiring sustained relief efforts and long-term strategies to bolster disaster resilience.
Published in SouthAsianDesk, September 2nd, 2025
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