Chenab River Water Levels Rise Amid India's Water Release
The rising water levels in the Chenab River pose a significant threat to Pakistan's agricultural land in Punjab, with the country's irrigation system being heavily reliant on the river. The situation is further complicated by the tensions between India and Pakistan, with the IWT governing the usage of the Indus river system hanging in the balance.
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The Chenab River's water level is rising rapidly at Head Marala Barrage near Sialkot, with inflows reaching 100,000 cusecs, posing a potential flooding risk in vulnerable areas due to water released by India into the river.
The surge in water levels is attributed to recent rains and intense heat accelerating glacier melt, resulting in increased inflows into the Chenab River. The river's outflow is recorded at 77,000 cusecs, indicating a significant rise in water levels. Pakistan's water inflows have seen a mixed trend, with the Indus and Chenab rivers witnessing an increase, while the Jhelum River has experienced a decline.
The Indus River's inflow rose by 1,000 cusecs to 149,000 cusecs, while the Chenab River's inflow increased by 4,300 cusecs to 38,100 cusecs. However, the Jhelum River's inflow decreased by 3,000 cusecs to 43,200 cusecs. Water storage in reservoirs has increased by 47,000 acre-feet, with the total usable water storage rising to 3.585 million acre-feet. Water levels have also risen in major dams, with Tarbela Dam's level increasing by one foot and Mangla Dam's level increasing by two feet.
The situation is being closely monitored by Pakistan's Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda), which has reported a significant reduction in water flows from India into the Chenab River. The reduction comes amid tensions between India and Pakistan, with India suspending its participation in the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) after a recent attack in Indian-held Kashmir. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has rejected the weaponization of water by India, stating that Pakistan will not allow Delhi to cross the red line and endanger millions of lives for narrow political gains.