Kartarpur Gurdwara Submerged as Punjab’s Rivers Overflow After India’s Water Release

Floodwaters entered the Kartarpur Gurdwara Darbar Sahib on Wednesday after the Ravi River’s protective embankment collapsed near Shakargarh, following heavy inflows from India that pushed Punjab’s rivers into a high flood situation.

According to officials, several feet of water have accumulated inside the gurdwara complex, hindering Sikh pilgrims from performing rituals. Between 200 and 300 people were reported stranded in the vicinity, while the Pakistan Army and rescue teams continued evacuation and relief efforts.

Authorities warned that water levels in major rivers had reached dangerous levels. At Head Marala, the Chenab registered a record flow of over 950,000 cusecs, while the Sutlej at Ganda Singh Wala crossed 245,000 cusecs. The Ravi also swelled beyond 200,000 cusecs at Jassar.

The surging waters breached multiple embankments. In Gujrat, the Chenab overflowed at Kari Sharif, submerging nearby roads and villages. In Shakargarh, the Ravi burst through the Bhiku Chak dyke, flooding dozens of settlements.

Residents in affected areas — including Sarakhpur, Khalilpur, and Gujar Kotla — complained of delays in rescue operations. Heavy rainfall in Gujrat city compounded the crisis, leaving vast areas waterlogged due to poor drainage.

Rescue teams have evacuated nearly 300 people so far, but officials cautioned that ongoing downpours and high river inflows could intensify the flooding in the coming days.

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