Authorities in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir’s Reasi district have put riverside villages on alert ahead of the opening of spillway gates at Salal Dam on the Chenab River for 'silt flushing'.  According to Kashmir Media Service, the Salal Power Station said the gates will be opened on May 21 at 9 AM and the operation will continue till May 30. The release is expected to raise the Chenab’s water level by 2 to 3 metres.

Upstream villages including Dharan, Thanpal, Arnas, Sai Lanjan, Narloo, Gari and Salmote, along with downstream areas such as Gujjar Kothi, Saidh Baba, Bidda, Kachi Khera, Talwara, Nambla, Vijaypur and Seri, may be affected.  The administration has restricted movement of people, vehicles, cattle and rafting along the riverbanks during the period. Revenue, police, and Rural Development officials have been directed to monitor the situation jointly. 

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)