India blocks Chenab River water flow to Pakistan through Baglihar Dam

India suspended the flow of the Chenab River water to Pakistan via Baglihar Dam and is considering using the same strategy to halt water from Kishanganga Dam on the Jhelum amid strained diplomatic ties between nuclear-armed neighbours

The rivers department in Pakistan stated that India halted water from the Baglihar Dam on Sunday, causing the water flow to continuously decline in the Chenab. 

The department added that the water level at Chenab River’s Head-Marala was 87,000 cusec on Saturday, but with consecutive declines in water inflow, it shrunk to 10,800 cusecs on Monday. 

Notably, the Baghlihar Dam in Ramban has a capacity to store 300,000 acre ft water, while Kishanganga can store 15,000 acre ft  water. 

After halting the water flow to the Chenab, India considered implementing the same restrictions on the Kishanganga, raising fears of water shortage in Jehlum. 

Read: Pakistan to serve notice to India over suspension of Indus Water Treaty

Earlier, on April 26, India had released a large floodgate in the Jhelum River without any notice, causing the river to suddenly rise to 15 feet at Chakothi.

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On the other hand, Pakistan has prepared its case on Indus Water Treaty to present before the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). 

In this regard, the Pakistan Commissioner for Indus Waters (PCIW) completed its homework and prepared a complete report on the massive violation of the Indus Water Treaty by New Delhi. 

“The report also contains information about other violations of the treaty by India, such as delaying or avoiding giving information regarding the release of floodwater during monsoon in rivers, including Ravi and Satluj. Besides these, there are a series of violations India has committed already,” Dawn quoted sources as saying.

 Explained: Indus Water Treaty suspension after Pahalgam attack and its impact on Pakistan

Syed Jamat Ali Shah, Pakistan's former Indus Waters Commissioner, stated that the IWT was signed in 1960 and the treaty does not allow India to use water from western rivers, including Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab.

Pakistan has full right to water from the said rivers. However, India was privileged to use water from eastern rivers, Ravi, Beas, Satluj.

Shah said that Pakistan has no more time for further delay, saying, “The Pakistani team may also take up this issue with the World Bank immediately.”