Kartarpur (Pakistan): More than 100 devotees and local residents were evacuated from Gurdwara Sri Kartarpur Sahib after floodwaters from the swollen Ravi River entered the shrine complex. Authorities confirmed that the operation was carried out swiftly, ensuring the safety of all pilgrims present at the site.
Ramesh Singh Arora, head of the Pakistan Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (PGPC), said the Guru Granth Sahib and other revered relics remain unharmed. “The holy scriptures have been kept secure. As soon as the water recedes, arrangements will be made to restore the premises, and Kar Seva will be organized with the support of the Sikh sangat worldwide,” he stated.
Pakistani Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz also reviewed the situation from the air and instructed officials to expedite dewatering efforts. She emphasized that special care must be taken to safeguard the historic Gurdwara, which holds a unique place in Sikh heritage.
Kartarpur Sahib, located just across the India-Pakistan border, is the resting place of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the founder of Sikhism. Since its inauguration in 2019, the Kartarpur Corridor has allowed visa-free pilgrimage from India. However, the route remains suspended following the cross-border tensions earlier this year.
Despite the flooding, community leaders have assured the Sikh diaspora that the sanctity of the shrine is intact and restoration will begin immediately after conditions improve.
