ISLAMABAD: India has begun implementing its threat to divert river water from Pakistan by significantly reducing the flow of the Chenab River downstream from the Baglihar Dam, according to official sources.
The water flow at Maralla Headworks has dropped drastically to 5,400 cusecs from around 40,000 cusecs just last week. Sources report that India has started filling the Baglihar Dam reservoir with Chenab’s water, directly impacting Pakistan’s share under the Indus Waters Treaty.
Punjab’s irrigation department has warned that the water level in the Chenab River could decline further in the coming days. According to an Indian media report, India’s actions may reduce water flow to Pakistan by as much as 90 percent, raising serious concerns over agricultural and ecological consequences in Pakistan.
In a further move, India is also reportedly preparing to curtail the water flow of the Jhelum River via the Kishenganga Hydropower Project, as reported by the Hindustan Times.
International news agency Reuters, citing sources, confirmed that India has started work to enhance reservoir capacity at two hydroelectric projects in the disputed Himalayan region of Kashmir. This step comes in the wake of renewed tensions with Pakistan, which led India to unilaterally suspend aspects of the long-standing Indus Waters Treaty.
The Indus Waters Treaty, brokered by the World Bank and signed in 1960, has withstood numerous hostilities between the two nuclear-armed neighbours. However, the latest developments suggest a serious breach of the agreement.
Pakistan has strongly condemned India’s actions and warned of serious consequences. Officials in Islamabad have stated that any attempt to divert Pakistan’s rightful share of water will be considered “an act of war,” and hinted at pursuing international legal action against India’s violations.
