Desk Report:Following the Pahalgam attack, tensions between India and Pakistan have sharply escalated, and now India has delivered a major blow to Pakistan. Pakistani media is claiming that India has released water into the Jhelum River without notifying Pakistan. This sudden release has caused water levels to rise rapidly around the Muzaffarabad district in Pakistan, creating flood-like conditions. A water emergency has been declared in the region.
According to Pakistan’s Dawn News, India abruptly opened all the dams built on the Jhelum River on Saturday. Reports suggest that local administration has imposed an emergency in Hattian Bala and issued alerts to the public. Warnings are also being broadcast through mosque announcements. Dunya News reported that the sudden surge has caused panic among residents living near the riverbanks. The water, they say, is flowing from Anantnag in India towards Pakistan’s Chakothi region.
Suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty
Earlier, reacting strongly to the Pahalgam attack, India had already taken several steps against Pakistan. India announced the immediate suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty and is now planning ways to fully utilize the waters of the three rivers — Sutlej, Beas, and Ravi — which Pakistan had access to under the treaty.
India Formulating a Strategy
On Friday, a high-level meeting chaired by Home Minister Amit Shah discussed the future course of action regarding the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty. Under the World Bank-brokered treaty, India was granted exclusive rights over the eastern rivers — Sutlej, Beas, and Ravi — with an average annual flow of about 33 million acre-feet (MAF). Meanwhile, the waters of the western rivers — Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab — with an average annual flow of about 135 MAF, were allocated largely to Pakistan. After the suspension, the Indian government is now exploring ways to utilize the waters of the Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab rivers.
Pakistan in Panic
Following Friday’s high-level meeting, Union Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Paatil stated that the government is working on a strategy to ensure that not even a single drop of water flows into Pakistan. He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has issued several directives, and the meeting was convened to ensure their effective implementation. Paatil emphasized, “We will ensure that not a single drop of water from India reaches Pakistan.” Meanwhile, Pakistan has reacted with alarm. In response to India’s actions on the water-sharing agreement, Pakistan’s Senate passed a resolution stating that India’s move amounts to an act of war.