Jhelum River Pakistan Faces Water Emergency
The suspension of the treaty has significant implications for Pakistan's agriculture and water security, and the country is seeking a resolution to the dispute to ensure the continued flow of water from the Indus River system.
River Jhelum's water levels have surged in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, with officials citing snowmelt and seasonal flows as the primary causes, but the situation has been further complicated by India's suspension of the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty.
The suspension of the treaty, which was announced after a deadly attack in Pahalgam, has led to concerns over Pakistan's water security, as India has control over the eastern rivers, including those that feed into the Jhelum River. Pakistan has accused India of releasing water into the Jhelum River without prior notification, resulting in a water emergency in Hattian Bala and panic among local residents.
The Indus Waters Treaty has been a cornerstone of water management between India and Pakistan, granting each country control over specific rivers. Pakistan relies heavily on the Indus River system for agriculture, and the suspension of the treaty could have far-reaching consequences, including water scarcity, reduced crop yields, and domestic unrest. The sudden change in the river's water levels has already caused significant disruption to the lives of people living in the surrounding areas.
As the situation continues to unfold, Pakistani authorities are working to mitigate the effects of the water emergency and to find a resolution to the dispute over the Indus Waters Treaty. The fate of the treaty and its impact on the region's water security remain uncertain, leaving many to wonder about the long-term consequences of this development.