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India.com
06-05-2025
- Politics
- India.com
Rattled Pakistan claims 90% drop in water supply, blames India for blocking Chenab River flow, says agriculture..., warns of...
India Pakistan tension: Amid the rising tension between India and Pakistan following the April 22 Pahalgam terrorist attack, Pakistan has claimed that India has stopped the Chenab River water flow from entering Pakistan. The spokesperson for Pakistan's Indus River System Authority, Muhammad Khalid Idrees Rana, said that since Sunday, May 4 morning, about 90% less water than usual has been flowing into Pakistan and if the water flow stays this low, Pakistan may have to cut water supplies to its farms by 20%., reports Bloomberg. Due to the blockade, the water level in the Chenab River in Jammu's Akhnoor area has dropped to a very low level which is drawing villagers in large numbers and many were looking for gold, silver jewellery, and coins, reported ANI. Officials said the water level fell because the flow of the river was restricted by closing all gates of the Baglihar and Salal dams to refill the reservoirs. The Jammu and Kashmir Police warned people on Monday, May 5, not to walk across the Chenab River in Jammu's Akhnoor area as the water level in the Chenab River would rise soon and asked people to leave the area for their safety. 'The water level in the Chenab River is going to increase. Everyone is requested to come out of the river,' the police and local authorities said in an announcement. The suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) by India has rattled Pakistan. The Indus River System Authority (IRSA) advisory committee on Monday expressed alarm over a sharp drop in water flow from the Chenab River at Marala, caused by reduced supply from India. This drop could lead to a 21% water shortage in Pakistan during the early part of the Kharif cropping season, reported ANI. The report further said that the IRSA Advisory Committee met in Islamabad under the chairmanship of Sahibzada Muhammad Shabir to finalise the expected water availability for the remaining Kharif period, which runs from May to September 2025. Shabir is the Chairman of IRSA at IRSA HQS Islamabad. During the meeting, the committee reviewed the water situation for both the early Kharif period (May to June 10) and the late Kharif period (June 11 to September). The committee members jointly raised concern about the sudden fall in water flow from the Chenab River at Marala, warning that this could lead to severe shortages in the early Kharif season. IRSA warned that if the current situation continues, there could be a 21% water shortage during the rest of the early Kharif period. The water situation will be monitored daily, and the shortage estimate may be updated if the flow from the Chenab continues to drop. For the late Kharif period, the expected shortage is around 7%. (With ANI inputs)
Hindustan Times
06-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Pakistan says India choked Chenab water flow jeopardising early Kharif crop season
Amid fears of an escalation over the Pahalgam terror attack, Pakistan alleged that India has stopped the flow of water through the Chenab River by shutting down the gates of crucial dams. Following the terror attack in which 26 people – mostly tourists – were gunned down by terrorists in the picturesque Jammu and Kashmir town, India suspended the Indus Waters Treaty that governs the flow of water into Pakistan. Reacting to the move, Islamabad said any stoppage of water would be deemed an act of war. Muhammad Khalid Idrees Rana, spokesman for Pakistan's Indus River System Authority, told Bloomberg that India has reduced by almost 90% the usual volume it passes to Pakistan. He said Islamabad will be forced to slash water supplies to farms by a fifth if the flow remains curtailed. 'It's unprecedented,' Rana said, adding that India typically holds some water daily for electricity generation but releases it every few hours. Also read: Pahalgam terror attack: What envoys said after UNSC meeting called by Pakistan According to ANI, Indian authorities have closed all gates of the Baglihar Hydroelectric Power Project Dam on the Chenab River. All gates of Salal Dam on the river are also closed. However, to ensure that there is not a significant effect on the marine wildlife, as a routine act, bits of water are being released from only one gate of the Salal and Balighar dams. The Indus river system consists of Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Beas, Sutlej, whose usage rights were divided between India and Pakistan in the 1960 treaty. Pakistan depends on the river system to supply irrigation for the majority of their agriculture. Also read: Why MHA ordered nationwide mock drills on May 7. Key measures states must follow Meanwhile, Pakistan's Indus River System Authority (IRSA) advisory committee on Monday expressed deep concern over a sudden decrease in River Chenab inflows at Marala due to short supply by India. It said New Delhi's move will result in water shortages for early Kharif season. "Indus River System Authority Advisory Committee (IAC) reviewed the water situation for the remaining months of "Early Kharif" (May - Jun 10) Late Kharif (Jun 11 - Sep) season. It was noted with concern unanimously that sudden decrease in river Chenab inflows at Marala due to short supply by India would result in more shortages in the Early Kharif Season," the Indus River System Authority (IRSA) stated in a press release. Also read: India cuts off water flow to Pakistan from dam on river Chenab Pakistan may face a significant water shortage during the Kharif season due to reduced water supplies from India. "IAC declared an overall shortage of 21 per cent for the remaining Early Kharif Season in case supplies in River Chenab remain normal. However, the situation would be monitored daily, and if the decrease continues in "River Chenab", the shortages would be revisited accordingly. The Late Kharif Shortages are expected to be 7 per cent," it added. With inputs from ANI, Bloomberg
