‘No lessons learnt from 2025 floods; Punjab faces fresh risk in 4 months’: MP Satnam Sandhu calls for preventive action
After Devastating Floods, MP Satnam Singh Sandhu Urges Centre for Punjab Flood Resilience Strategy
‘Storage Capacity of Bhakra Dam, Gobind Sagar Dam Declines Significantly, time-bound Desilting of Reservoirs Needed to Contain Flood Risk’ says MP Satnam Sandhu
Babushahi Bureau
Mohali (Punjab), March 30, 2026: The Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha) Satnam Singh Sandhu has urged the Union Government to formulate a ‘Comprehensive Punjab Flood Resilience & Water Security Plan’ to mitigate flood risks, minimize loss of life and property and strengthen the water management systems including the construction of flood-control dams and small retention reservoirs and strengthening of embankments through RCC lining or heavy sheet protection.
MP Sandhu raised the demand during the Question Hour of the ongoing Budget Session of Parliament while highlighting the pressing issue of recurring floods in Punjab and urged the Centre government to take immediate and decisive action to prevent further devastation.
While highlighting the gravity of the situation, MP Sandhu informed the House that experts have described the recent floods as the worst witnessed in the last 40 years.
Speaking during the Zero Hour, MP Sandhu added, “In 2023 and 2025 alone, more than 80 people lost their lives, over 3 lakh livestock died and lakhs of acres of agricultural land were destroyed across the state.”
On the urgency of the situation, MP Sandhu said, “Six months have already passed since the last floods and only four months remain before the next flood season. Despite such a massive tragedy there has been no concrete action and accountability was not fixed and no action was taken against those responsible for the damage done. It is high time that we shift our focus from a reactive to a proactive and preventive approach to tackle this menace.”
MP Sandhu warned that future projections indicate even more severe floods. “This is not just a natural disaster but a predictable disaster that could worsen every year if timely action was not taken,” added Sandhu.
While suggesting the remedial measures, MP Sandhu said, “We must address increasing siltation in dams, illegal mining, encroachments on natural drainage channels and changing river morphology.”
Sandhu added, “Out of the Bhakra Dam’s total storing capacity of 9 billion cubic meters, nearly 2 billion cubic meters has been lost due to siltation. The accumulation of 100–200 feet of silt in the Gobind Sagar Reservoir is an alarming signal for our water management system.”
On technology-driven solutions, Sandhu said, “Flood forecasting must incorporate satellite mapping, AI-based rainfall modelling and digital flood alert systems. Wetlands must be revived as natural flood buffers and an Integrated River Health Index along with an open data system should be created to ensure quarterly public reporting of river water quality. We need to adopt a system of dynamic reservoir management where water release rule curves are determined entirely based on scientific forecasting.”
“The time for reactive responses has passed. What we need now is immediate, decisive and forward-looking action to protect Punjab from recurring flood disasters,” added Sandhu.