SIALKOT: Water level in the River Chenab dropped to 11,600 cusecs at the Head Marala near Sialkot on Wednesday.

The drop in flow baffled the irrigation authorities, who say the water level in the corresponding period last year was 46,000 cusecs.

The officials said they were hopeful that with the melting of snow on the snow-covered mountains in India-held Kashmir, the water level would improve in the coming weeks.

The Head Marala is a picnic spot where people enjoy boating and fishing.

Farmers along the River Chenab are also much perturbed on falling water levels. They said they were unable to irrigate their farms.

The main Marala-Ravi-Link Canal has already been closed by the irrigation department due to water shortage in the River Chenab.

Some officials said the main reason behind the water shortage was the stoppage of water in the River Chenab by India towards Pakistan.

Published in Dawn, March 24th, 2017