Tension and fear spread across Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) on Saturday after a sudden and alarming rise in the River Jhelum’s water levels. From the Chakothi border to Muzaffarabad city, locals witnessed the river swelling rapidly, forcing emergency sirens to blare and mosques to issue urgent evacuation warnings.
Entire villages like Hattian Bala, Ghari Dupatta, and Majhoi were thrown into chaos. Families scrambled to reach safer ground as social media flooded with terrifying visuals of the river raging in full force.
“The panic is real. No one knows how bad it could get,” said a resident of Ghari Dupatta, recalling the mosque loudspeakers warning everyone to flee immediately.
Accusations Fly: Did India Deliberately Release Water?
Residents and political analysts in Pakistan allege that India released excess water into the Jhelum without warning, calling it a deliberate tactic to escalate tensions after the deadly Pahalgam terror attack earlier this week.
Javed Siddique, a political analyst, stated bluntly:
“India’s threat to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty was not just talk. Today’s water release was a clear message.”
The Muzaffarabad administration has officially declared a water emergency, confirming the abnormal spike in river levels. Reports suggest that the surge originated from India’s Anantnag district and flowed rapidly across the border into PoK.
India Suspends Indus Water Treaty After Pahalgam Attack
This incident follows India’s suspension of the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty after Islamic terrorists opened fire on Hindu tourists in Pahalgam, killing 27 and injuring many others. In response, India:
- Suspended water-sharing under the IWT.
- Closed the Attari-Wagah border.
- Ordered Pakistani citizens, including medical visa holders, to leave India by April 29.
A high-level CCS (Cabinet Committee on Security) meeting, chaired by PM Narendra Modi, finalized these strong countermeasures.
Pakistan Seeks International Mediation
Amid the spiraling tension, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has demanded a neutral and transparent investigation into the Pahalgam attack.
Meanwhile, Iran and Saudi Arabia have reportedly offered to mediate between the two nuclear-armed neighbors to prevent further escalation.
Rising Waters, Rising Fears
Experts warn that if India’s water release is proven intentional, it could severely damage the already fragile peace that the Indus Waters Treaty has maintained for over six decades — even through three wars.
As the Jhelum continues to swell and fears of flooding intensify, the larger threat of political turmoil looms dangerously over the subcontinent.
