Overview

• Punjab reported 37 deaths, more than 3.55 lakh people affected and crop losses across 1.75 lakh hectares, with all educational institutions shut until September 7.
• High inflows forced increased releases from Bhakra and Pong dams, with Bhakra near capacity and discharge raised toward 75,000 cusecs, worsening downstream inundation and prompting alerts in areas such as Nangal.
• In Delhi, the Yamuna stood around 207.5 metres on Thursday morning, flooding low-lying neighbourhoods as authorities closed the Old Railway (Loha Pul) bridge and halted cremations at Nigambodh Ghat and Geeta Colony.
• The Army and NDRF said more than 5,500 people have been rescued and 27 tonnes of essential supplies delivered, with multiple columns operating across Punjab and Jammu & Kashmir.
• The Centre has deployed an inter‑ministerial team for a four‑day damage assessment in Jammu as the IMD maintains red alerts across several northern districts and signals some easing of showers on Thursday in parts of J&K and Uttarakhand.