Chandigarh/Amritsar, Sept. 5 -- Battling the worst floods in four decades, Punjab now has 15 of its 23 districts under water due to overflowing rivers and canals after weeks of incessant rain.

Official data shows that 35 revenue blocks in the state - nearly one-fourth (23%) of the total 152 - and 1,902 villages are submerged, claiming 43 lives and leaving more than 3.84 lakh people displaced.

The raging floods have resulted in extensive financial losses to farmers, as 4.22 lakh acres (1.71 lakh hectares) of land is inundated across the state, destroying near-mature paddy crops. Experts warn crops submerged in water for more than 48 hours are unlikely to survive, with revenue officials saying the full scale of loss will be assessed after...