Sacred Kartarpur Sahib Submerged: A Cry for Help as Ravi River Swells

A somber scene has unfolded at Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib, one of Sikhism's holiest sites, as severe flooding from the rapidly rising Ravi River has engulfed its sacred premises. Videos circulating online depict a heartbreaking sight: the revered Gurdwara, a beacon of peace and spiritual solace, now partially submerged under several feet of floodwaters.

This devastating natural disaster is part of a wider crisis affecting Punjab, with incessant rains and overflowing rivers causing widespread havoc across the region.

The Kartarpur Corridor, a visa-free passage allowing Indian Sikh pilgrims to visit the shrine in Pakistan, has been directly impacted.

The causeway leading to the Gurdwara, usually bustling with devotees, is now impassable, cut off by the relentless surge of the Ravi River. Authorities are closely monitoring the situation, but access to the shrine is currently impossible, leaving countless devotees heartbroken and concerned for the safety and integrity of the holy site.

Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib holds immense historical and spiritual significance.

It is the place where Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the founder of Sikhism, spent the last 18 years of his life. Its vulnerability to natural calamities, especially flooding from the Ravi River, which flows nearby, has always been a concern. The current flood highlights the urgent need for robust infrastructure and disaster management strategies to protect such invaluable heritage sites.

Local residents and emergency services are working tirelessly to assess the damage and provide assistance where possible.

However, the sheer volume of water and the ongoing adverse weather conditions pose significant challenges. The full extent of the damage to the Gurdwara and its surrounding infrastructure remains to be seen once the floodwaters recede. The international Sikh community and indeed people of all faiths are watching with heavy hearts, hoping for the swift restoration and protection of this sacred place.