Punjab is witnessing one of the most devastating floods in its history, far worse than the catastrophic floods of 1988.

The convergence of floodwaters due to heavy rainfall in Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir has surpassed all previous records, causing widespread devastation across nine districts of the state.

Water filled Dams to the brim in the state and forced regulated discharge is further aggravating the situation.

Akashvani correspondent reports, Punjab’s Water Resources Minister, Barinder Kumar Goyal has confirmed that massive flow of water from the adjoining states has turned the situation into large scale destruction.

Floods have so far affected 1,018 villages across Punjab, maximum 323 in Gurdaspur. Over 60,000 hectares of land has been affected leading to huge financial losses due to crop damage and livestock loss.

According to official sources, a total of 11,330 people have been rescued so far from nine flood-hit districts including Gurdaspur, Ferozepur, Fazilka, Kapurthala and Amritsar.

Extensive relief and rescue operations are on, on war footing across the affected districts, with Indian Army, Indian Air Force, BSF, NDRF and Punjab Police with voluntary organizations and general public putting in best of their efforts.

The whole cabinet with all top bureaucrats, is in the field to monitor and act immediately to safeguard people.