India on Saturday drastically restricted flows of the Chenab River towards Pakistan. By abruptly impounding water at dams upstream, the inflow of the Chenab River recorded a loss of 53,000 cusecs in a few hours.

It has been learnt that India has stopped the waters of the Chenab River at the Salal and Baglihar dams. At 6am on Saturday, the inflow of the Chenab River at Marala was 74,000 cusecs with a rising tendency.

However, the water flow decreased to 31,000 cusecs by afternoon. There was only 21,000 cusecs of water flow in the Chenab River at Marala by 6pm in the evening.

Water management authorities and experts have expressed grave concern over these unilateral actions. The halting of Chenab water constitutes a serious violation of the Indus Waters Treaty.