Akhnoor (Jammu and Kashmir): The Chenab River has witnessed an unprecedented drop in water levels in the Akhnoor region following the closure of gates at Baglihar and Salal Dams, a move linked to the Indian government’s recent decision to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan.
Local residents have welcomed the development, praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Indian Army. Many say the drastic fall in the river’s water level is a visible consequence of New Delhi’s tough stand against Pakistan following the recent Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed 26 lives, including tourists.
“Earlier, the Chenab River used to flow at a height of 25 to 30 feet. Now, it’s barely 1.5 to 2 feet,” said Kalyan Singh, a local resident.
“We do not want even a single drop of water to be supplied to Pakistan. We fully support PM Modi and the Indian Army.”
Another elderly local, aged 75, called the change unlike anything he’s seen in his lifetime.
“I’ve never seen Chenab this dry. I thank PM Modi for this strong decision. We stand firmly with our forces.”
The decision to suspend the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty, which governs the use of rivers flowing from India into Pakistan, is one of several punitive measures taken by the Indian government in response to the Pahalgam tragedy. In addition to diplomatic expulsions, including declaring Pakistan’s Defence, Military, Naval, and Air Advisors persona non grata, New Delhi has signaled a zero-tolerance policy toward cross-border terrorism.
Analysts say the drying of the Chenab, while symbolic, marks a significant escalation in the India-Pakistan water diplomacy landscape, with potential long-term ramifications for regional cooperation and environmental stability.