In a significant move India has drastically curtailed the flow of water to Pakistan following the Pahalgam terror attack that claimed the lives of 26 tourists. After shutting off the Indus water treaty India has curtailed the flow of water from the Baglihar Dam on the Chenab River.
This move has significantly reduced the downstream discharge by up to 90%. Furthermore, the officials cited the need for de-silting and maintenance operations. They also mentioned the need to acknowledge strategic motivations linked to national security concerns. All this follows the recent Pahalgam terror attack.
Kishanganga Project Next in Line
Not just that, India is further preparing to restrict flow from the Kishanganga hydroelectric project on the Jhelum River. This dam is located in the Gurez Valley, it will reportedly soon undergo scheduled maintenance work. During the maintenance work the downstream flow will be halted entirely.
Furthermore, both Baglihar and Kishanganga have previously drawn objections from Pakistan. These were under the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) signed between India and Pakistan in 1960.
Indus Waters Treaty Suspended
Meanwhile, India’s decision to suspend the 64-year-old Indus Water Treaty follows the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam that killed 26 people, most of them tourists. Among the deceased 25 were Indian nationals and one was Nepal national.
The move for suspension of IWT coincided with Pakistan’s test of a surface-to-surface ballistic missile. The move was accompanied by additional punitive measures, including a ban on Pakistani ships docking at Indian ports. Closure of Attari border check post and vacating all the Pakistani nationals from India.
Hydropower Expansion in J&K
Amid the ongoing tensions, India has accelerated work on four major hydropower projects on the Chenab and its tributaries. These include Pakal Dul (1,000 MW), Kiru (624 MW), Kwar (540 MW), and Ratle (850 MW).
The projects are expected to be operational by 2027–28. All these major hydro projects will collectively generate over 10,500 million units of electricity annually.
India Prioritising Water Utilisation
In order to enhance the water supply to northern states, the officials from Jal Shakti Ministry confirmed ongoing coordination with the Union Home Ministry. Furthermore, engineers from NHPC are actively monitoring these operations. This move aims to ensure that Indian water resources are maximised, especially with the IWT now in abeyance.
