Heavy Rains Trigger Severe Flooding at Kartarpur Sahib in Pakistan

Narowal, Pakistan – Heavy rainfall has caused severe flooding in Pakistan’s Punjab province, submerging large parts of the historic Gurdwara Sri Kartarpur Sahib in Narowal, located just 4.5 kilometres from the international border. Visuals showed the shrine and the adjoining Kartarpur Corridor — which provides visa-free access to the site for Indian pilgrims — almost completely inundated.

The flooding comes after India released excess water from overflowing dams and swollen rivers into low-lying border regions, a move for which New Delhi had issued advance warnings to Islamabad. As a precaution, nearly 200,000 people have been evacuated from flood-prone areas in Punjab province, according to official estimates.

The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) confirmed that it had alerted provincial authorities about a surge in water levels, particularly in the Sutlej River, and urged immediate evacuations from vulnerable districts. The Government of Punjab, Pakistan, also issued a statement on its official X handle, noting critically high water levels in the Ravi, Chenab, and Sutlej rivers. At Kot Naina on the Ravi, inflows were reported at 230,000 cusecs, while the Chenab at Head Marala saw levels rise to an alarming 922,000 cusecs.

Amid the worsening situation, the Punjab government has deployed the army across seven districts to support relief operations. Officials reported that 14,000 residents were evacuated from Kasur district, while over 89,000 people were moved to safety from Bahawalnagar, near the Indian border.

The NDMA has advised residents to stay clear of rivers, streams, and low-lying areas, avoid unnecessary travel, and remain attentive to alerts disseminated through media channels, mobile phones, and its disaster alert application.