Chenab Flow Disruption Triggers Emergency in Pakistani Cities

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The sudden drop in the Chenab River’s flow has triggered emergency responses in several Pakistani cities dependent on the river for municipal water supply. Towns and districts in Punjab province, including Jhang, Sialkot, and Gujranwala, have reported sharp reductions in reservoir levels, leading to water rationing, suspension of services, and potential public health crises.

City officials in Jhang reported a 50% reduction in water supply over the last week, leading to long queues at water tankers and protests from frustrated residents. Hospitals and schools have been forced to adopt water conservation measures, and authorities are considering emergency borewell drilling to provide relief.

Experts warn that this crisis exposes the fragility of Pakistan’s water infrastructure and its overreliance on river-fed municipal systems. With population growth and urban expansion, demand for water in these cities has increased exponentially — but alternative water sources have not kept pace.

India’s actions at the Baglihar Dam are being blamed for the crisis, but the situation also points to deeper systemic issues. Pakistan’s water storage capacity is among the lowest in the world, and aging infrastructure leads to substantial water loss. The government is now under pressure to invest in new reservoirs, pipelines, and conservation programs.

While diplomatic efforts to resolve the immediate issue continue, urban planners and environmental experts say this should be a wake-up call. Regional water stress is intensifying with climate change, and unless cities diversify their water sources and improve conservation, such emergencies could become routine.

India’s actions have triggered the current crisis — but they’ve also highlighted how unprepared many Pakistani cities are for water shocks. A long-term response must blend international diplomacy with domestic resilience-building.