The water surge in the Jhelum River subsided on Sunday as it flowed into the Mangla Dam, a day after entering Chakothi in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) from the Line of Control (LoC), officials said.
The water level in the Jhelum River was recorded at 25,166 cusecs - about three feet above normal. On Saturday, the river level had risen by 7 to 8 feet after India released water into the river.
The Deputy Commissioner of Mirpur district, AJK, said the inflow of water into Mangla Dam was recorded at 47,100 cusecs, while the outflow stood at 32,000 cusecs.
He added that there was still ample capacity to store more water in the dam.
"There is still a severe shortage of water in the dam. The current water level is 1,130 feet, whereas the maximum capacity is 1,242 feet. On this day last year, the water level was 1,144 feet," he noted.
On Saturday India, which had been blowing hot and cold following the Pahalgam false-flag operation, experienced a rude awakening from its lofty ambitions of blocking Pakistan's water, instead releasing a sudden surge into the Jhelum River in a fit of panic.
Nonetheless, the sudden release triggered a high-level flood, causing fear and havoc among local communities overnight.
The Muzaffarabad administration declared a water emergency as the rising waters caught residents off guard.
The Jhelum River snakes its way from Anantnag district in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) into Pakistan through Uri, Hattian Bala and Chakothi in AJK.
Authorities warned residents near the river to remain cautious and avoid venturing close to the banks.
A ban was also imposed on swimming and transporting livestock near the Mangla Dam's banks.
State Disaster Management Authority official Saeed Qureshi said that the water level in the Jhelum River had declined. "The water is three feet above normal in the river. The level is also rising due to melting snow amid rising temperature," Qureshi added.
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