In a rare and striking development, the water level of the Chenab River dropped to barely one foot in some areas, prompting residents of Akhnoor town and upstream villages in the Reasi district to cross the river on foot. The sudden decline in water flow occurred after Indian authorities temporarily halted the release of water from the Salal and Baglihar dams.
Locals in Akhnoor woke up on Monday to find the mighty river almost dry. News of the drastic fall in water levels spread quickly, drawing scores of people—including women and children—to the riverbanks at Jia Pota Ghat, Pandav Cave, and near the local Gurdwara. Many were seen filming the unusual scene with mobile phones, while others took the opportunity to wade through the shallow waters.
Youth gathered at the river were heard chanting slogans in support of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, praising his decision to stop the flow of water to Pakistan. The atmosphere resembled that of a community fair, with families and children treating the moment as a unique and even festive experience.
However, police soon arrived at the scene, warning people against crossing the river due to potential dangers. Officers from the local police station used public address systems to urge the crowds to disperse, especially as water levels began rising again later in the afternoon.
Some locals were also seen searching the exposed riverbed for valuables. A few reportedly found gold ornaments and silver coins.
According to authorities, the unusual drop in water level was due to the closure of the Baglihar and Salal dam gates for reservoir refilling, following a de-silting operation last week. This led to a sharp decrease in downstream flow, particularly in the Akhnoor region.
The Centre’s recent suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), in response to the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam that claimed 26 lives—most of them tourists—is being seen as a broader geopolitical move. The treaty, signed in 1960, had governed the use of the Indus River and its tributaries between India and Pakistan.
An NHPC official confirmed that the dam gates were closed on Monday to facilitate reservoir storage, causing a significant drop in Chenab’s downstream water levels. As a result, hundreds of people were seen at different locations along the river, including Reasi, Ramban, Barandari, Dera Baba Banda Bahadur, and Sangaldan, where similar scenes unfolded.
In several places, remnants of vehicles that had earlier plunged into the river during accidents became visible on the exposed riverbed. However, police officials stated that no human remains or missing persons were found during the low-water phase in Akhnoor, Reasi, or Ramban. With rain reported in the river’s catchment areas, authorities reopened some gates of the Baglihar and Salal dams on Monday afternoon, leading to a gradual rise in the water level. Officials cautioned that a sudden increase in flow was likely and urged residents to stay away from the river.
For many locals, this was a once-in-a-lifetime event. “We’ve never seen the river like this,” said a resident. “It felt surreal walking across the Chenab—something we never imagined was possible.”
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