KEY POINTS
- The Kartarpur Corridor has been submerged under 5–7 feet of water after India releases water
- Flooding has severely damaged Gurdwara Darbar Sahib’s infrastructure
- Pakistan Army launched rescue operations in Narowal, evacuating 200–300 stranded people
- Pakistan’s Evacuee Trust Property Board initiated emergency measures
ISLAMABAD: The Kartarpur Corridor, one of Sikhism’s holiest sites, in Pakistan’s Punjab province, has been submerged after India released water from two upstream dams into the River Ravi, leaving the Gurdwara Darbar Sahib under several feet of floodwater.
The deluge has turned the Sikhism’s holy site into a temporary lake, forcing Sikh pilgrim activity to a halt.
The Gurdwara Darbar Sahib, situated in Narowal district of Punjab, now lies under 5 to 7 feet of water, with visuals showing the sacred complex surrounded on all sides by muddy torrents.
The gurdwara’s main staircase, marble courtyard, and even sections of the inner sanctum have been overtaken by the flood, halting pilgrim activity and raising fears of long-term damage.
Sanctuary submerged
The Kartarpur Corridor is not just a landmark, it is a living legacy. Built at the last resting place of Guru Nanak Dev, the founder of Sikhism, the corridor serves as a peaceful bridge between Pakistan and India, welcoming thousands of Sikh pilgrims each year.
Federal Minister Ahsan Iqbal is on the ground at #Kartarpur, ensuring the safe evacuation of stranded pilgrims and overseeing rescue operations with unwavering dedication.
This is more than relief; this is hope in action. When humanity comes first, nations rise stronger.… pic.twitter.com/0csOm0E3wh
— Ministry of Planning and Development (@PlanComPakistan) August 27, 2025
“This isn’t just about bricks and walls – it’s about faith, history, and identity,” said Sardar Harmeet Singh, a local community leader in Narowal. “Seeing Kartarpur underwater is like watching your soul drown.”
India’s water release
The crisis comes after India released water from its Thein and Madhopur dams, significantly increasing the flow of the Ravi River.
Pakistani officials reported that a protective embankment near Kartarpur broke due to the heavy flow of water, allowing it to surge into the corridor’s perimeter, damaging infrastructure and cutting off link roads such as the Narowal–Shakargarh road.
The Pakistan Army has been deployed for rescue and relief operations across six flood-hit districts, including Narowal. Officials confirmed that 200 to 300 stranded people were evacuated from the Kartarpur Corridor. The Pakistan Army’s evacuation efforts are underway as floodwaters continue to rise.
Calls for protection and preservation
The Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB), which oversees religious sites in Pakistan, has confirmed flood infiltration within the compound after India released excessive water.
🛑 #KARTARPUR UNDER #FLOOD: The situation in #Punjab has become extremely critical 🚨 as rivers have risen to dangerous flood levels 🌊. #Kartarpur has been completely submerged 😢, with #floodwaters covering houses, fields, and roads while advancing toward major towns 🏠🌾🚧.… pic.twitter.com/93Rl3jO0Jh
— PakWeather (@Pak_Weather) August 27, 2025
The board has initiated an emergency response plan, but the challenges are steep – drainage, structural inspections, and sanitation must be completed before the site can reopen to the public.
“We’ve never seen Kartarpur like this,” said an ETPB official. “The sanctity of this site compels us to act with urgency and care.”
In 2019, Pakistan opened the historic Kartarpur Corridor, a visa-free passageway granting Indian Sikh pilgrims direct access to the Sikhism’s sacred place of Guru Nanak.
Heralded as a landmark of interfaith harmony and a rare gesture of goodwill, the initiative stood as a powerful symbol of peace and trust-building.
