Chenab River’s reduced flow may destroy 40% of crops in Pakistan

Impact of India suspending the Indus Water Treaty

Islamabad (Pakistan) – The impact of India suspending the Indus Water Treaty is now beginning to show. A month ago, India had shut the gates of the Baglihar and Salal dams. As a result, the water level of the Chenab River in Pakistan has been significantly affected. The flow of the Chenab River has decreased by 92%. Around 20 days ago, the river’s flow was 98,200 cusecs; it has now dropped drastically to just 7,200 cusecs. This level may even fall below 3,000 cusecs. In Pakistan’s Punjab and Sindh provinces, 6.5 crore farmers depend on the Chenab River for irrigation. At such a time, this water shortage threatens to destroy over 40% of the crops.

Kharif season will be the worst in history– Pakistan’s Ministry of Agriculture

There is also a severe water shortage in the Tarbela Dam on the Indus River and the Mangla Dam on the Jhelum River, both constructed by Pakistan. The Mangla Dam, the seventh largest in the world, currently holds only 27 lakh acre-feet of water, compared to its total capacity of 59 lakh acre-feet. Similarly, the Tarbela Dam has just 60 lakh acre-feet remaining out of a total capacity of 116 lakh acre-feet. If the water supply continues at this rate, even 50% of the currently stored water will be exhausted. Considering this, Pakistan’s Ministry of Agriculture has stated that this year’s Kharif season is expected to be the worst in the country’s history.

Farmers to rally in Islamabad

The ongoing water crisis has already caused losses amounting to ₹2,200 billion. If left unresolved, the losses could rise to ₹4,500 billion by the end of the year. This would represent 23.15% of Pakistan’s total agricultural output. As a result, farmer unions are expressing growing anger toward the Pakistan Government and military. The farmers’ organisation ‘Pakistan Kisan Ittehad’ has warned that if the situation does not improve, farmers will march in protest in Islamabad. The organisation’s president, Khalid Mahmud Khokhar, said that due to crop failures, farmers’ debts are mounting, and millions are now on the brink of starvation. Ahmed Sharif, a farmer leader from Punjab province, stated that the water crisis has escalated into a national emergency, driving food prices to record highs.

Pakistan has so far sent 4 letters to India regarding water

Pakistan has sent four letters to India so far, requesting a review of the Indus Water Treaty. All four letters were sent by Syed Ali Murtaza, Secretary of Pakistan’s Ministry of Water Resources, to India’s Ministry of Jal Shakti. The letters were subsequently forwarded to India’s Ministry of External Affairs.

Editorial Perspective

This is the impact of just one river’s water. The effects of Jhelum and Indus rivers are yet to be felt. For that, India must urgently build dams on these rivers. Until now, India has never done so; this must be termed a major mistake by all previous Governments.