Punjab is dealing with extreme flood conditions due to swollen rivers and heavy torrential downpours. The Indian Army is carrying out rescue and relief operations in the state where dozens died, lakhs were displaced, and thousands of hectares of cropland were damaged.
About 22,938 people were evacuated from flood-affected areas by the government.
A total of 3,87,898 people are now homeless in about 2050 villages in all the 23 districts of the state that have been affected by the flood. The floods also claimed around 48 lives.
The forest and wildlife preservation department reported a loss of 4,94,956 trees over a land spanning 776 hectares in the floods, The Times of India reported.
The total damage assessed just by the forest department is estimated to be over ₹360,5 lakh.
There was also massive damage to crops and food stocks in about 50 villages.
The state also opened about 219 relief camps, which have given shelter to 5404 people.
The floods were caused due to the swollen Sutlej, Beas, and Ravi rivers and the seasonal rivulets, which are caused by heavy rainfall in catchment areas in Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir. The recent heavy rains also intensified the flooding situation in the state.
The weather conditions in the state have improved, and the government has decided to reopen all schools, colleges, universities, polytechnic institutes, and ITIs in the state from September 8. Schools on Monday are expected to inspect and assess the damage. Schools will be open to students only on September 9.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit the state on September 9 to take stock of the situation and damage.
The current flood situation is considered worse than the 1988 deluge and and Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann had written to the PM to release about ₹60 thousand crore of the state's funds.
Punjab Cabinet Minister Aman Arora said on Monday that "We welcome your (PM) arrival, but you should also announce the release of the State's ₹60,000 crore and a relief package of ₹20,000 crore in the hour of crisis."