Water as a Weapon? India’s Release Triggers AJK Emergency

News Desk

Mirpur: Following what is being described as India’s first nefarious attempt at water aggression, the AJK state authorities have issued flood warnings after thousands of cusecs of water were suddenly released into the Jhelum River from Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) on Saturday, official sources said.

Mirpur Deputy Commissioner Yasir Riaz Chaudhry told APP on Sunday that the populations of low-lying areas along both banks of the Jhelum River in Dadayal and Islamgarh subdivisions have been warned to take immediate preventive measures.

The warning comes amid fears of devastating impacts from the accelerated river currents triggered by the abrupt and unnotified release of massive water flows — an act he said blatantly violates the Indus Waters Treaty.

“This is the first time such a release has occurred after India’s unilateral suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty,” said the deputy commissioner.

He warned that standing wheat crops in low-lying areas along the Jhelum River, particularly around Islamgarh and Mirpur subdivisions on the periphery of Mangla Lake, could suffer significant damage if riverbanks overflow.

“The residents near the riverbanks have been advised to relocate to safer places along with their belongings and livestock,” DC Yasir Riaz said.

In response to a query regarding the ongoing construction of the Rathua-Haryam (Mirpur-Islamgarh) Bridge over the Mangla Dam Reservoir, the deputy commissioner stated that the sudden surge in the Jhelum River would not directly affect the bridge project since the necessary pillars have already been completed above the silt bed level.

However, he acknowledged that the pace of construction might slow down due to the rising water levels in the reservoir following the heavy inflow from the river.