Reasi (Jammu and Kashmir): Authorities in Reasi district have opened multiple spillway gates of the Salal Dam following a significant rise in water levels in the Chenab River, driven by persistent heavy rainfall across the region. Officials are urging residents to stay away from riverbanks and adhere strictly to safety protocols.
The spillway gates were opened to release excess water and prevent downstream flooding, particularly as monsoon rainfall continues to impact water levels at both Salal and Baglihar Hydroelectric Projects.
🚨 Rising Risk, Urgent Warnings
Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of the Doda-Kishtwar-Ramban Range, Shridhar Patil, confirmed one fatal incident in Doda district due to the surge.
“The water level in the Chenab is dangerously high. I appeal to everyone—do not go near the rivers or streams. Your safety is more important,” DIG Patil said.
💧 Geopolitical Context: Indus Treaty in Abeyance
The move comes weeks after India placed the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance as part of “Operation Sindoor”, in response to the Pahalgam terror attack.
PM Narendra Modi, referencing the treaty earlier this year, said:
“Water and blood cannot flow together.”
India had tightened control over hydropower operations on the Chenab, especially at Salal and Baglihar Dams, during the heightened India–Pakistan tensions.
⚙️ Hydroelectric Project Coordination
The Salal and Baglihar dams are run-of-the-river (ROR) projects, which don’t store large volumes but require careful monsoon management.
- Salal Dam: Located in Reasi, critical to flood regulation.
- Baglihar Dam: Recently forced to open gates on May 8 due to intense rains.
This coordinated management so far has prevented major flooding, but the increasing frequency of extreme rainfall is posing serious challenges.
📢 Official Advisory:
- Avoid all riverbanks, especially near Chenab, Tawi, and tributaries.
- Report missing persons or emergencies to local SDRF, NDRF, or police teams.
- Monitor updates from district administration and weather alerts.
As monsoon activity intensifies across northern India, the focus is on real-time dam coordination, public safety, and continued resilience planning in the face of climate-induced hydrological extremes.