Pakistan is grappling with a severe water crisis in the Chenab River after India suspended the Indus Waters Treaty and shut the gates of the Baglihar and Salal dams in response to the Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 lives.
According to Dawn News, the water flow at Marala headworks dropped dramatically from 35,000 cusecs on Sunday to just 3,100 cusecs by Monday morning. A senior official from Pakistan’s Punjab Irrigation Department confirmed that India had “almost blocked” Chenab’s flow downstream into Pakistan.
The Indus River System Authority (IRSA) advisory committee, meeting in Islamabad, expressed concern over the unilateral Indian action, warning it could further impact Kharif crops, already facing a 21% estimated water shortfall. The IRSA noted that if the current trend continues, the shortage could worsen and would be reviewed daily.
Pakistan relies heavily on the Indus river system—comprising the Indus, Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej rivers—for irrigation that sustains its agriculture.
Visuals from Reasi and Ramban in Jammu and Kashmir confirmed full gate closures at both the Salal Dam and the Baglihar Hydroelectric Project on the Chenab. The move has drawn strong support from Indian locals, who backed the government’s tough response and warned Pakistan against continued provocations.
Following the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, India undertook a series of measures, including:
- Suspension of the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty
- Declaring Pakistani military and diplomatic personnel persona non grata
- Revocation of SAARC visa exemptions
- Suspension of visa services for Pakistani nationals
The Indian government has reiterated its resolve to combat terrorism and has pledged to hold accountable those responsible for the Pahalgam attack.
