Intense monsoon rains and subsequent flooding have caused significant damage to the historic Gurdwara Sri Kartarpur Sahib in Pakistan Punjab province. The Gurdwara, a key Sikh shrine located near the international border, and the connecting Kartarpur Corridor were seen almost completely submerged in floodwaters.
Gurdwara Submerged, Religious Relics Safe
Visuals from the site showed the historic Darbar Sahib, the final resting place of Sikhism’s founder Guru Nanak Dev, surrounded by floodwater from the overflowing Ravi River. The floodwaters, in some areas reaching up to five to seven feet, inundated the langar hall, parikrama, and sarovars within the complex.
Fortunately, sources from the Gurdwara confirmed that the holy saroop of Guru Granth Sahib, which is on the second floor, remains safe. The sacred items and volunteers have been moved to higher ground. This is the first time the Gurdwara has been so badly inundated by the Ravi River since the Kartarpur Corridor opened in 2019.
Widespread Flooding Across Punjab Province
The severe flooding in Pakistan Punjab province is a result of heavy rainfall and the release of water from overflowing dams and swollen rivers in neighboring India. The Government of Punjab, Pakistan, announced on its official X handle that the Ravi, Chenab, and Sutlej rivers are experiencing extremely high water levels.
In response, authorities have issued warnings and evacuated hundreds of thousands of people to safer areas. Over 14,000 people were evacuated from the Kasur district, while more than 89,000 were moved from Bahawalnagar, both near the Indian border.
Army Called in for Rescue Operations
The situation has become so critical that the Punjab government has called on the Pakistan Army to assist in immediate relief measures across seven districts. The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has urged residents to avoid unnecessary travel and stay away from low-lying areas. The flooding has also impacted areas on the Indian side of the border, with reports of villages being cut off and rescue operations underway.