India Takes Aggressive Stance on Water Dispute
India halts water supply to Pakistan from dam along River Chenab to assert control over water resources.
After Pakistan tests its surface-to-surface ballistic missile, India retaliates by curbing water flow from the Baglihar dam on the Chenab river and planning to reduce runoffs from the Kishanganga project on the Jhelum.
India initiated de-silting operations at the Baglihar dam and lowered sluice gates, causing a drastic decrease of up to 90% in water supply to Pakistan[1][3][5]. The Kishanganga dam is set to undergo massive maintenance work, bringing a halt to all downstream flow. Pakistan has objected to the designs of both dams[4][5].
Following a terror attack in Pahalgam, the Indian government suspended the Indus Water Treaty (IWT) with Pakistan[4]. Authorities from the Jal Shakti ministry are preparing stringent punitive measures against Pakistan, with engineers from the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation already in Jammu and Kashmir to oversee operations[6].
The Kishanganga dam, located in the north western Himalayas, will proceed with maintenance work "very soon," effectively halting all flow to Pakistan[5]. Furthermore, India has expedited the schedule for multiple ongoing hydroelectric projects along the Chenab river and its tributaries in Jammu and Kashmir, with a target to commission them by 2027-28[6].
The Ratle project, a key part of these developments, had previously faced Pakistan's objections, as its design allegedly violates the IWT[4]. In June 2024, a five-member Pakistani delegation and a neutral expert inspected the Ratle power project. Collectively, these projects hold a potential of 3,014 MW of hydropower, capable of generating over 10,541 million units (MU) of electricity annually[6].
- India starts de-silting of Baglihar Dam reservoir, cuts off water flow to Pakistan
- Water flow: Kishanganga to undergo massive maintenance work soon
- Sluice gates of Baglihar Hydroelectric Power Project closed
- India suspends Indus Water Treaty with Pakistan over Pahalgam attack
- Terror Attack in Pahalgam, India-Pakistan Relations, and the Indus Water Treaty
- Indus Water Treaty: India Boosts Water Management Strategies Amid Tensions
- Pakistan
- India
- Water Flow
- Pahalgam Attack
- The actions taken by India, such as de-silting the Baglihar Dam and lowering sluice gates, have drastically reduced water flow to Pakistan, potentially up to 90%.
- In addition to the Baglihar Dam, the Kishanganga dam is also set to undergo massive maintenance work, which will halt all downstream flow to Pakistan.
- Pakistan has objected to the designs of both the Baglihar and Kishanganga dams, voicing concerns about water flow.
- The Indus Water Treaty (IWT) between India and Pakistan was suspended by the Indian government following the Pahalgam terror attack.
