Floodwaters Inundate Gurdwara Darbar Sahib at Kartarpur; Restoration Efforts to Begin as Water Recedes

Narowal, Punjab – Gurdwara Darbar Sahib, one of Sikhism’s most sacred sites, has been partially submerged by floodwaters following the overflow of the Ravi River. The flooding, which impacted the complex and surrounding villages, prompted an immediate and extensive rescue and evacuation operation by local authorities.

Initial reports and visuals from rescue officials on Wednesday confirmed the inundation of the shrine’s ground floor. In a swift response, the families of the shrine’s caretakers and other residents on the premises were safely evacuated by boat to higher ground.

The flooding in Narowal district was exacerbated by the torrential overflow of the Ravi River, which received a flow of approximately 250,000 cusecs, well beyond its capacity of 150,000 cusecs. This surge also pushed back water in tributary drains such as Nullah Dek, Basanter, Baen, and Auj, leading to extensive damage in suburban and rural areas. An estimated 145 villages in the district have been impacted, with significant damage to agriculture, including rice and fodder crops, and critical infrastructure.

As of Friday, floodwaters were beginning to recede from the Gurdwara Darbar Sahib complex. The authorities have successfully drained the water from the main building, though the surrounding roads and fields remain submerged. Rescue and relief efforts are ongoing, with humanitarian organizations, including the Sahara Trust, providing assistance to stranded individuals and affected communities.

Local officials have confirmed that the main roads, including Narowal-Shakargarh and Narowal-Zafarwal, were temporarily impassable but have now been reopened as water levels drop. The focus is now shifting from rescue and relief to rehabilitation, with plans to restore the flood-damaged areas and infrastructure as quickly as possible. The full extent of the damage is still being assessed.

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