Panic In Pakistan: Indus River System Authority Warns 21 Per Cent Kharif Water Shortage After India Shuts Chenab Gates

Islamabad’s Indus River System Authority (IRSA) on Monday (5 May) raised serious concerns over a sudden decline in water inflows from the Chenab River at Marala, attributing it to reduced supply from India as sluice gates of Baglihar dam were closed.

The IRSA advisory committee warned that this shortfall could lead to a 21 per cent water shortage in Pakistan during the early Kharif season, as reported by The Economic Times.

The IRSA advisory committee convened to assess the water situation for the remainder of the Kharif season, which spans from May to September. The committee expressed unanimous concern over the sudden drop in Chenab River inflows.

“It was unanimously noted with concern that the sudden decrease in River Chenab inflows at Marala, due to short supply from India, would result in further shortages during the early Kharif season,” IRSA said as quoted by Firstpost.

This development comes in the wake of India's decision to place the Indus Waters Treaty in suspension after the Pahalgam terror attack. The treaty, established in 1960, governs the distribution of water from the Indus River system between India and Pakistan. India's move has raised panics in Pakistan, where agriculture heavily depends on these transboundary water flows.

While the IRSA has declared a 21 per cent shortage for the early Kharif season, it stressed that the situation is being monitored daily. Should the decrease in Chenab River inflows persist, the authority may revise its projections accordingly.

Pakistan may experience a severe water shortage during the Kharif season if India maintains tighter control over the westward-flowing rivers as reducing water runoff from the Kishanganga project on the Jhelum river is also being planned and the current weather conditions continue.