India has closed the gates of Sial and Baglihar dams built on Chenab in Jammu and Kashmir. Due to this, the water of Chenab going to Pakistan has stopped and the water level has decreased to 15 feet. The water level of Chenab in Pakistan was 22 feet which decreased by 7 feet in 24 hours.
Due to the continuous decrease of Chenab, more than 3 crore people in 24 important cities of Punjab may have to crave for drinking water after 4 days. 80% of the population of densely populated cities of Pakistan like Faisalabad and Hafizabad depend on surface water of Chenab for drinking water.
The Indus Water Authority feared that India’s move would result in a 21% reduction in water for Kharif crops. The Pakistani Parliament has called it an act of waging war. Former Pakistan Foreign Minister and People’s Party leader Bilawal Bhutto has threatened India for stopping the Indus Water Treaty. Bilawal said in a rally on April 25 that either our water will flow in the Indus River, or their blood will flow. The Indus River is ours and will remain ours.