Iconic Kartarpur Gurdwara Submerged as Floodwaters Hit Narowal District
Narowal, Punjab:
The historic Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Kartarpur was submerged in floodwaters this week, capturing global attention as rescue teams evacuated residents by boat.
Initial images emerged on Wednesday, showing families of the shrine’s caretakers and others being safely moved as water levels inside the complex rose too high for normal access.
Journalists arriving in Narowal on Thursday found the city largely spared, but surrounding villages and tehsils faced severe flooding. Heavy rains and overflowing drains — including Nullah Dek, Basanter, Baen, and Auj — compounded the impact, with the Ravi River exceeding its 150,000-cusec capacity and swelling to 250,000 cusecs.
Reaching the gurdwara was challenging. Reporters traveled atop tractor trolleys ferrying locals through chest-deep water before transferring to rescue boats to approach the complex. The main darbar on the ground floor was fully submerged, while only the upper level remained above water.
Despite the devastation, relief efforts provided hope. Local charities, including singer Abrarul Haq’s Sahara Trust, ferried stranded residents and their belongings to safety and continued humanitarian support.
At least 145 villages were affected, with significant damage to rice and fodder crops, roads, and infrastructure. Key routes such as the Narowal-Shakargarh and Narowal-Zafarwal roads were temporarily submerged. Water is slowly receding, but authorities warn that further heavy rainfall in the Ravi’s catchment areas in India could worsen flooding.
Residents, while cautious, are slowly returning to normalcy as rescue and recovery operations continue across the district.
