
Questions of Climate Change, Preparedness, and Losses as Floods Ravage Punjab and Himachal
Punjab and Himachal Pradesh have been devastated by record-breaking rainfall, the heaviest in decades, leading to overflowing rivers, dam releases, and widespread flooding. Punjab has lost 30 lives, seen 1,400 villages inundated, and 1.48 lakh hectares of crops destroyed, while Himachal reported 310 deaths and damages of nearly ₹3,000 crore. Experts attribute the crisis to climate change intensifying western disturbances alongside the monsoon, but also to poor preparedness, unregulated construction, deforestation, and faulty development models. Governments are demanding massive relief packages, while critics accuse state authorities of negligence, underscoring the urgent need for climate-resilient planning.