Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) issued alerts across the Muzaffarabad area as water levels in the River Jhelum increased on Saturday, media reports said.

The locals accused the Indian side of releasing water without informing the Pakistani authorities, leading to the sudden rise.

The inhabitants of the River Jhelum from Chakothi border to Muzaffarabad noticed the sharp rise and expressed concerns about a likely flood situation in the area.

Pakistan claimed that the rise in water flow in the river is part of India’s attempt to assert the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) following the Pahalgam attack on April 22.

The local authorities have confirmed the abrupt increase in water levels along the River Jhelum.

The areas under alarm include Hattian Bala, Ghari Dupatta, Majhoi, and Muzaffarabad.

As water levels rose, the administration announced a water emergency in mosques, calling on the locals living along the Jhelum River to move to safer locations.

People living near riverbanks are in panic, said reports.

Reports said the water entered from India's Anantnag through the Chakothi area.

Meanwhile, experts in Pakistan have termed the development ‘unexpected’  but added that the move was very much in the cards with India’s recent announcement to suspend the IWT.