10 Worst Floods In India's History That Shook The Nation

10 Worst Floods In India's History: India has a long history of destructive floods, and once again, in 2025, Punjab is witnessing a severe crisis. With more than 1,000 villages under water and nearly 1.5 million people displaced as a result of heavy rains and dam releases, Punjab is currently going through its worst flooding in nearly 40 years since 1988. The destruction brought on by the swollen Sutlej, Beas and Ravi rivers, as well as seasonal rivulets in Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh that is fueled by intense rains. Gurdaspur, Kapurthala, Amritsar, Pathankot, Ferozepur, Fazilka, and Hoshiarpur are the seven districts in the state that have experienced significant flooding as a result of heavy monsoon rains, overflowing rivers, and dam releases. In 1988, Punjab saw its first flood when all of its rivers overflowed.

From the catastrophic Machchhu dam collapse in Gujarat in 1979 to the devastating Kerala floods in 2018, every region has experienced the fury of nature at some point. In addition to taking lives, these catastrophes have long-term effects on the agriculture, economy, wildlife and people's ability to support themselves.

Let’s look back at the 10 worst floods in India’s history that shook the nation and shaped its approach to disaster management.

1. Gujarat Flood (1979)

Deadliest floods in India of all time (Image: Canva)

Gujarat was hit by a devastating flood in 1979 when the Machchhu Dam in Morbi exploded. Homes, fields and lives were washed away in a few minutes due to the sudden water release. Between 1,800 and 2,500 people died, and thousands were left homeless. The catastrophe turned into one of the deadliest dam failures in Indian history, leaving a path of grief and years of reconstruction work.

2. Bihar Flood (1987)

Even though floods occur in Bihar every year, the state experienced one of its most devastating floods in 1987 as a result of swollen rivers like the Kosi and heavy monsoon rains. Over 5,300 animals and about 1,399 people were killed when the floodwaters spread over a large portion of the state. As the state struggled to recover, millions of people faced homelessness and starvation, villages were submerged, and crops were destroyed.

3. Coastal India Tsunami and Flood (2004)

In December 2004, A strong tsunami hit coastal states like Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and the Andaman & Nicobar Islands. This tsunami was caused by a massive 9.0 magnitude earthquake in the Indian Ocean. This natural disaster was made worse by the enormous waves and the intense rains. Approximately 2.79 million people were impacted, 12,405 people were killed, and 5,640 people went missing. Tragic scenes of loss and devastation were left behind when entire villages were swept away.

ALSO READ: Which Are The Top 10 Flood-Affected States In India?

4. Mumbai Flood (2005)

On July 26, 2005, record-breaking rainfall paralysed Mumbai, causing one of the worst floods in the city's history. Trains halted, streets became rivers, and daily life came to a halt. Approximately 14,000 homes were destroyed and nearly 1,094 people lost their lives. The flood caused significant infrastructure damage and revealed the city's inadequate drainage system.

5. Lucknow Flood (2008)

In 2008, floods triggered by unrelenting rain and overflowing rivers severely damaged Lucknow and the 11 districts that surround it. Approximately one lakh people were impacted as normal life came to a halt, farmlands were submerged, and water entered homes. Although rescue efforts were conducted to relocate people to safer locations, a great deal of property and livelihood damage was caused, with at least 15 people killed.

6. Uttarakhand Flood (2013)

Deadliest floods in India of all time (Image: Instagram)

In June 2013, cloudbursts and heavy rains caused a devastating flood and landslide disaster in Uttarakhand. Rivers overflowed, destroying much of Kedarnath as well as villages, roads, and temples. Thousands of pilgrims and locals went missing, and nearly 5,700 people were thought to be dead. It turned into one of the Himalayas' worst natural catastrophes.

7. Assam Flood (2016)

During the monsoon season in 2016, the Brahmaputra River overflowed, causing a significant flood in Assam. The floodwaters killed about 200 animals, including rhinos, in Kaziranga National Park, and about 18 lakh people were impacted. Crops and means of subsistence suffered severe damage, and villages were submerged.

8. Gujarat Flood (2017)

Gujarat experienced severe flooding once more in 2017 as a result of the monsoon season's ongoing rainfall. About 200 people died in the worst-hit districts, including Patan and Banaskantha. Farmers suffered long-term effects as a result of the destruction of agricultural fields and the displacement of thousands of people.

ALSO READ: List Of 10 Most Affected Landslide-Prone Areas In India Each Year

9. Kerala Flood (2018)

Worst floods in India of all time (Image: Canva)

Due to heavy monsoon rains and overflowing dams, Kerala experienced one of the worst floods in a century in August 2018. Landslides contributed to the devastation, displacing thousands of people and killing about 445 people. The state sustained significant financial losses, and homes, roads, and infrastructure were damaged.

10. India Floods (2019)

In 2019, widespread flooding struck several Indian states, including Gujarat, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, and Maharashtra. Rivers overflowing and heavy rains caused hundreds of fatalities and widespread displacement. Numerous regions experienced a severe humanitarian crisis as a result of the destruction of thousands of homes, farms and roads.