India Reduces Water Flow to Pakistan Amid Escalating Tensions
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Event | India reduces water flow to Pakistan from Baglihar and Kishanganga dams. |
| Trigger | Pakistan's ballistic missile test (May 3, 2025) and Pahalgam terror attack (April 22, 2025). |
| Baglihar Dam (Chenab) | Sluice gates lowered; 90% reduction in water flow; official reason: reservoir maintenance. |
| Kishanganga Dam (Jhelum) | Flow to be completely halted for major maintenance. |
| Indus Waters Treaty (1960) | Mediated by World Bank; allocates waters of 6 rivers; western rivers (Indus, Jhelum, Chenab) mostly for Pakistan; eastern rivers (Ravi, Beas, Sutlej) for India. |
| Strategic Response | IWT kept in abeyance; Jal Shakti and Home Ministries coordinating water-control steps; NHPC engineers deployed; ban on Pakistani ships at Indian ports. |
| Hydropower Projects | Pakal Dul (1000 MW), Kiru (624 MW), Kwar (540 MW), Ratle (850 MW); completion targeted by 2027-28. |
| Significance | India leverages hydrological rights as strategic tools; focus on augmenting water supply to northern states; impacts Indo-Pak relations and regional water security. |