Doda: India has majorly reduced the flow of water to Pakistan from the Baglihar dam on the Chenab River and is preparing to do the same from the Kishanganga hydropower project on the Jhelum River. These actions reflect India’s renewed stance of not allowing even a “single drop” of water from the Indus river system to flow into Pakistan.
Following a week of technical discussions and hydrological evaluations, India commenced de-silting operations at the Baglihar dam, lowering its sluice gates and cutting water flow to Pakistan by nearly 90%, Hindustan Times reported quoting an official from the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC).
Similar maintenance activities are scheduled at the Kishanganga dam in the Gurez Valley, where the downstream flow is also set to be stopped entirely for a period.
Quoting another official, speaking on condition of anonymity, the Hindustan Times report said that sluice gates at Baglihar have been shut as part of the reservoir de-silting process, which began on Saturday and will require the reservoir to be refilled.
India’s decision came shortly after Pakistan conducted a surface-to-surface ballistic missile test. In a further escalation, India has reportedly prohibited Pakistani-flagged ships from docking at any of its ports.
The Indian government, citing the suspension of the six-decade-old Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), has signaled a broader strategic shift in managing transboundary rivers. The treaty was paused in the wake of the April 22 terror attack in Kashmir’s Pahalgam, which claimed the lives of dozens of tourists.
