NAROWAL/ISLAMABAD: Severe flooding struck Punjab on Wednesday as heavy inflows from India pushed major rivers into a state of high flood, breaching embankments and inundating dozens of villages. Among the worst-hit sites was the Kartarpur Gurdwara Darbar Sahib, where floodwaters entered the sacred complex after the Ravi River’s protective dyke collapsed near Shakargarh.
Officials confirmed that several feet of water had accumulated inside the gurdwara premises, disrupting religious activities and leaving Sikh pilgrims unable to perform rituals. An estimated 200 to 300 people were reported stranded in the vicinity, prompting the Pakistan Army and local rescue teams to launch urgent evacuation and relief operations.
The situation grew more critical as river levels surged to historic highs. At Head Marala, the Chenab River recorded an unprecedented flow exceeding 950,000 cusecs, while the Sutlej at Ganda Singh Wala surged past 245,000 cusecs. The Ravi also swelled to over 200,000 cusecs at Jassar, creating severe pressure on protective embankments.
Flood breaches were reported at multiple points. In Gujrat, the Chenab overflowed at Kari Sharif, flooding roads and nearby villages. In Shakargarh, the Ravi burst through the Bhiku Chak dyke, submerging dozens of settlements and forcing residents to flee to safer ground.
Locals from Sarakhpur, Khalilpur, and Gujar Kotla expressed frustration over delayed rescue operations, saying many families were left stranded for hours without assistance. Adding to the misery, heavy downpours in Gujrat city left large parts of the urban area waterlogged due to inadequate drainage systems.
Authorities confirmed that nearly 300 people had been evacuated from flood-affected zones so far. However, officials warned that continued rainfall combined with dangerously high inflows from India could further aggravate the crisis in the coming days. Relief agencies have urged residents in low-lying areas to move to higher ground immediately.
