Amid the recent threats issued by Pakistan to India over the suspension of Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), one of the major rivers -– Chenab -– is freely flowing into the neighbouring country after the sluice gates of two major dams on the river were thrown open due to heavy rain in higher reaches.

On Wednesday, during a visit to Akhnoor, 28 km from Jammu, water was clearly seen flowing into Pakistan. Akhnoor is the last point in Jammu district from where water of the Chenab enters Pakistan.

The sluice gates of the Ramban-based Baglihar dam, besides the Salal dam located in Reasi district, were opened when the reservoirs of these projects witnessed heavy flow of water due to incessant rain in the higher reaches of Jammu region.

While the Government of India has maintained that the IWT has been put in abeyance, the flow of Chenab seemed naturally gushing towards Pakistan. Locals informed that the water was flowing freely into Pakistan for the past long time.

Randhir Singh, 35, a local resident who had also come near the banks of the Chenab, said that while the water was flowing above normal level at present, “it was completely stopped only once after the Pahalgam attack in April last year. We have not seen the dried riverbed since that time when suddenly the water vanished from the river.”

A group of local youth gathered at the river also said that it was not possible to stop the flow of the “mighty Chenab” that can overthrow any hurdle in its way.

A soldier in the Army who is posted in Arunachal Pradesh said that he grew up witnessing the Chenab. “I have seen news reports that the government is taking measures to divert the Chenab water. These are welcome steps, but it may take a lot of time as this is one of the most turbulent rivers of the world,” the soldier said on condition of not being identified. Many locals from the area serve in Army and Border Security Force (BSF).

The government suspended the IWT after 26 civilians were killed by Pakistan-backed terrorists in Pahalgam on April 22 last year. Operation Sindoor in which the two nations fought briefly followed the incident. Soon after the Pahalgam attack, the gates of dams on Chenab were shut leading to drying up of Chenab in Akhnoor.

As per reports, the Pakistani military establishment recently stated that it would take “all necessary measures to secure its share under IWT”.