India has significantly reduced the water flow into Pakistan by closing all gates of the Baglihar and Salal Dams on the Chenab River, as a response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 lives, mostly tourists. The move aligns with India’s broader decision to put the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) in abeyance, marking a serious escalation in its diplomatic and strategic retaliation against Pakistan.
The Chenab River, one of the six rivers covered under the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty, is vital for Pakistan’s irrigation and agricultural systems. Visuals from Reasi and Ramban regions in Jammu and Kashmir show dry riverbeds and drastically reduced water levels in Chenab. Only one gate of each dam remains marginally open to prevent ecological damage, releasing minimal flow to maintain marine life balance.
Local residents have strongly backed the Centre’s decision, with some expressing a desire that “not even a single drop of water” be allowed to flow into Pakistan.
“Earlier, the Chenab River used to flow at a height of 25-30 feet, but now there is hardly 1.5-2 feet of water left here. We are all standing with the Indian Army and PM Modi,” said Kalyan Singh, a resident speaking to media.
In Akhnoor, due to heavy rainfall on May 2, the water level of Chenab temporarily surged. Police and local administration issued evacuation warnings to prevent accidents, saying, “Chenab River’s water level is about to increase soon. All of you are requested to come out of the river…”
The Indian government has escalated its diplomatic and strategic pressure on Pakistan by:
- Suspending the Indus Waters Treaty, signed in 1960.
- Declaring Pakistan’s Defence, Military, Naval, and Air Advisors in New Delhi as persona non grata.
- Cancelling SAARC Visa Exemptions and suspending all visa services for Pakistani nationals.
- Shutting down Indian airspace to Pakistani-registered and operated aircraft until May 23.
These steps follow growing domestic anger over Pakistan’s continued backing of cross-border terrorism. Analysts say India’s water diplomacy may cause significant stress on Pakistan’s irrigation capacity, especially during the early Kharif crop season, as acknowledged by Pakistan’s Indus River System Authority (IRSA).
The Indian Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, reaffirmed that accountability for cross-border terrorism must be enforced and warned that further provocation would be met with even sterner actions.