05-05-2025
Locals Line Up For Selfies At Exposed River Route As India Blocks Chenab Flow
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India's action, which includes closing the gates of the Baglihar Dam in Jammu and Kashmir, has drastically reduced the Chenab's downstream flow.
In an escalation of regional tensions following the Pahalgam massacre, India has unilaterally suspended the 65-year-old Indus Water Treaty and halted the flow of River Chenab into Pakistan. The move, described by authorities as a strategic and security-oriented decision, has already begun to show visible effects on the ground.
India's action, which includes closing the gates of the Baglihar Dam in Jammu and Kashmir, has drastically reduced the Chenab's downstream flow. News18's ground team, reporting from the riverbed in Ramban district, found that areas once submerged under the Chenab's powerful current have dried up. Stones once hidden beneath swift waters now lie exposed, with locals flocking to the riverbanks to capture the unusual sight on their phones.
This place was once dangerous to approach, with the administration regularly warning people to stay away due to strong currents. Today, people are walking across what used to be the river's midstream, reported News18 correspondent Bilal Bali.
The Chenab River is vital for Pakistan, serving as a critical source of irrigation and drinking water for lakhs. The treaty, brokered by the World Bank in 1960, granted Pakistan control over the Chenab, Jhelum, and Indus rivers, while India retained rights over the Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej. While the treaty permitted India to build hydroelectric projects on western rivers, it prohibited altering their flow in ways that would disrupt Pakistan's usage.
However, citing growing cross-border terrorism and the recent violence in Pahalgam, India has now declared that the treaty no longer aligns with its national interest. 'Water is both a strategic resource and a security asset," an official said, framing the suspension as a sovereign right in light of Pakistan's alleged inaction on terrorism.
The Pakistani government has responded with alarm. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar issued a stern warning in Parliament, calling the move 'an act of war." 'India is threatening the lives of 240 million Pakistanis. This is not just a political issue – it's about our survival," he said, vowing a firm response.
Dar also confirmed he had contacted counterparts in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, China, and Turkey to raise the issue at the international level.
On the ground in Ramban, signs of change are stark. What was once a roaring river has slowed to a trickle in many parts. The sudden drop in water levels is expected to further exacerbate diplomatic tensions and may have significant ecological consequences in both countries.
First Published:
May 05, 2025, 13:21 IST
