ISLAMABAD: India has reportedly halted the flow of water in the Jhelum and Neelum rivers after already curbing the Chenab’s supply, significantly reducing the water inflows into Pakistan. Experts have raised serious concerns regarding a potential violation of the Indus Waters Treaty as river flows reach unprecedented lows.
Sources indicate that the water flow in the Jhelum and Neelum rivers has plummeted to approximately 3,000 cusecs, a sharp drop from over 5,000 cusecs just four days earlier.
Similarly, the Chenab and Jhelum rivers are experiencing their lowest recorded flows in history. Water inflow in the Chenab, which stood at about 10,000 cusecs four days ago, has now been reduced to half, with only 5,000 cusecs entering Pakistan.
At Head Marala, water discharge from the Chenab has completely ceased, and canals fed by the Qadirabad and Khanki barrages are no longer receiving any water.
Experts are urging swift action, emphasizing that these measures taken by India constitute a breach of the Indus Waters Treaty. They recommend that Pakistan’s Indus Waters Commission escalate the issue to an international arbitration court.
There is mounting concern that if this water curtailment continues, it could have devastating consequences for agriculture in Punjab. Experts warn that millions of acres of fertile land could turn barren, significantly impacting Pakistan’s agricultural economy.
