Punjab Faces Severe Flooding as Ravi River Overflows, Dozens of Villages Submerged

Gurdaspur, Punjab, Aug. 29, 2025 – Heavy rainfall in Himachal Pradesh and Jammu over the past two days has triggered widespread flooding in Punjab, affecting several villages across the Pathankot, Gurdaspur, Fazilka, Kapurthala, Tarn Taran, Ferozepur, Hoshiarpur, and Amritsar districts. The flooding, caused primarily due to the overflowing of the Ravi River, has displaced hundreds of residents, prompting large-scale evacuation and relief efforts. Several homes, schools, colleges, churches, and other places of worship have been submerged.

Authorities have begun relocating affected villagers to safer areas while ensuring the supply of essential items, including food, drinking water, and medical assistance. The Punjab government had announced a school holiday across the state from August 27 to August 30. On the ground, District Commissioners (DCs) and Senior Superintendents of Police (SSPs) are spearheading relief operations with full support from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and the Indian Army.

Speaking to Catholic Connect News, Fr. Thomas Mathews, Procurator of the Jalandhar Diocese, described the situation in Gurdaspur and Amritsar districts as “very serious.” He reported that two convents of the Congregation of the Sisters of Nazareth (CSN), a priest house, and several convent schools in these two districts have been directly affected.

“Around 20–30 villages are submerged in the overflowing waters of the Ravi River, and many houses are under 3 to 4 feet of water,” he added.

He further noted that the Dera Baba Nanak subdivision and the Dharamkot and Ramdas blocks of Gurdaspur district remain cut off by road, with water levels on roads reaching 5 to 8 feet.

“Catholic priests from parishes in various flood-affected districts are trying to reach as many villages as possible, weather permitting, to provide immediate relief in the form of drinking water, food, and medicines,” Fr. Thomas added.

In a striking account, he shared that Fr. Mathews Keeprath, parish priest of Dera Baba Nanak Parish, was unable to leave his residence over the past two days as the ground floor was inundated with water.

“Today, Fr. Mathews is moving around in Dera Nanak area on a tractor to assist affected people belonging to his parish” , Fr. Thomas said.

“Several priests from other parishes in Gurdaspur district are also making efforts to reach villages and provide help,” he added.

The state remains on high alert as authorities continue intensive rescue and relief operations to mitigate the impact of the floods.

By Catholic Connect Reporter