Floods raging through Pakistan’s Punjab province have partly submerged the historic Kartarpur Sahib Gurdwara, one of Sikhism’s holiest sites and the final resting place of founder Baba Guru Nanak Dev.
The flooding, caused by deadly combination of record monsoon rains and massive releases of water from Indian dams, has inundated large parts of the Kartarpur Corridor and surrounding areas in Narowal and Sialkot, prompting widespread concern among Sikhs globally.
Visuals from Narowal district show the revered white-marble Darbar Sahib complex under three to four feet of floodwater.
The holy site was inaugurated by former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan in November 2019 to great appreciation from the Sikh communities worldwide.
Pakistan is also home to Guru Nanak’s birthplace situated in Nankana Sahib, Punjab.
Water has also seeped into the sanctum of the gurdwara. However, officials confirmed that the sacred Saroop of Guru Granth Sahib Ji, along with the sevadars (volunteers), were safely relocated to the upper floor. Rescue teams from Pakistan’s Army and Punjab’s Emergency Rescue 1122 remain on standby, ensuring the safety of those on site.
Over 100 Sikh pilgrims who were present in the Kartarpur Corridor at the time of flooding were successfully evacuated by Pakistani authorities.
Besides, the government provided emergency shelters, food, and clean drinking water to the pilgrims and visitors. Federal Minister Ahsan Iqbal assured the Sikh community that full restoration of the shrine and the corridor will be prioritized, reaffirming the government’s commitment to preserving this sacred heritage.
As a result, the Kartarpur Corridor—symbolizing a rare moment of cross-border peace between India and Pakistan—has been temporarily closed.
Parts of the corridor connecting Pakistan’s Kartarpur Sahib to India’s Gurdaspur district remain under water, halting pilgrimage during a time of great spiritual significance.
International Sikh Community Reacts
The global Sikh community has expressed deep sorrow over the disaster. Many leaders have attributed the submergence to what they allege is “water aggression” from India.
Sikh political leader Jagmeet Singh, head of Canada’s New Democratic Party (NDP), condemned what he called “India’s water terrorism,” accusing Indian authorities of releasing dam water without coordination, directly endangering the Kartarpur Corridor.
Sikh leaders such as Sa Singh and Amrit Kaur, speaking from Canada, echoed similar sentiments, calling this a “black day for Sikhs worldwide.”
Despite the outcry, Sikh leaders have commended the swift response by Pakistani authorities and called on the government to expedite restoration efforts.
“Kartarpur Sahib is more than a religious site—it is a beacon of peace, faith, and unity,” Amrit Kaur said. “We request that the damage be repaired immediately so that pilgrims can once again visit and perform their rituals.”
Cultural and Historical Significance
Kartarpur Gurdwara holds profound importance for Sikhs as the site where Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the founder of Sikhism, spent the last 18 years of his life. He preached, farmed the land, and lived as a householder along the Ravi River.
The original structure, having endured previous floods, was reconstructed by Maharaja Bhupinder Singh of Patiala and reopened for Indian pilgrims after the 1947 Partition, with restoration efforts in 1999 and the inauguration of the corridor in 2019.
The complex also houses significant Sikh relics, including a centuries-old well and the revered chola (robe) believed to have been worn by Guru Nanak. Major pilgrimages, including Baisakhi and the Gurpurab of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, attract thousands of Sikhs from across the world to Kartarpur each year.
A Broader Climate and Heritage Crisis
The submergence of Kartarpur Sahib underscores the vulnerability of South Asia’s cultural and religious landmarks amid intensifying climate crises.
Besides holiest sites in Sikhism, Pakistan’s Indus valley and northwestern parts in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province host some of the earliest Buddhist relics and statues while Balochistan has some of the ancient Hindu temples.
Punjab is currently experiencing its worst flooding in over a decade, with over 200,000 cusecs of water flowing through the Ravi River. Authorities have issued red alerts, as thousands are displaced, and agricultural livelihoods are destroyed.
As the region confronts the dual challenges of climate change and political tension, the damage to Kartarpur Sahib serves as a sobering reminder of the fragility of both human heritage and peace-building efforts.
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Asim Tanveer is a seasoned journalist working for TV and electronic and print media outlets. He has been working for some of the world’s leading news organizations including Associated Press (AP), Reuters, BBC, CNN, CNBC, Star TV, Voice of America and The New York Times for more than 20 years. He has won several awards for his live coverage of events that include a Reuters News Agency World Award and the Pride of Performance award in 2010.
