Islamabad, May 6: Pakistan is grappling with a severe water crisis in the Chenab River following India’s decision to hold key provisions of the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance. This development came after India closed the gates of the Salal and Baglihar dams located on the Chenab in Jammu and Kashmir.
According to a report by Dawn News, water flow at Marala Headworks — a major point of water intake in Pakistan’s Punjab province — has plummeted dramatically. The flow dropped from 35,000 cusecs recorded on Sunday to a mere 3,100 cusecs by Monday morning, causing alarm within Pakistan’s irrigation and agricultural sectors.
A senior official from the Punjab irrigation department confirmed the situation, stating, “They [India] have virtually blocked the flow of the River Chenab downstream into Pakistan following their decision on Sunday.” He emphasized the critical impact this would have on Pakistan’s water-dependent farming communities.
In a related development, the Indus River System Authority (IRSA) convened a meeting of its advisory committee in Islamabad, expressing grave concern over India’s unilateral decision. The committee warned that the move would further aggravate water shortages affecting the Kharif crop season, which is already predicted to face a 21% shortfall.
IRSA has declared an immediate 21% water shortage for the remaining early Kharif season, contingent upon the Chenab River maintaining current flow levels. However, officials cautioned that if the flow continues to decrease, the projected shortage may worsen. The situation is now being monitored on a daily basis.
Pakistan’s agricultural economy is heavily reliant on water from the Indus basin system, of which the Chenab River is a critical component. Any disruption in river flow directly threatens irrigation, food production, and rural livelihoods across large swathes of the country.
Meanwhile, visual evidence from Jammu and Kashmir confirms India’s action on the ground. Images from the Reasi district show all gates of the Salal Dam firmly closed. Similarly, footage from Ramban district reveals complete closure of the Baglihar Hydroelectric Dam’s gates, preventing water release downstream.
The decision to suspend the treaty provisions and restrict water flow comes in the wake of the horrific terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, which left 26 people, mostly tourists, dead. Holding Pakistan responsible for harboring and supporting terror networks, India has taken a series of stern retaliatory steps.
In addition to halting cooperation under the Indus Waters Treaty — a water-sharing agreement signed in 1960 — India has expelled Defence, Military, Naval, and Air Advisors posted in the Pakistani High Commission in New Delhi. These officials have been declared persona non grata and instructed to leave Indian territory within seven days.
The Indian government has reiterated its resolve to deal firmly with terrorism and its enablers. It has assured the public that it will pursue all necessary measures to ensure justice for the victims of the Pahalgam attack and to prevent further cross-border terror incidents.