Sajid Raina
Srinagar, May 5: Two weeks after the Pahalgam terror attack, India has significantly reduced water flow to Pakistan by suspending regular protocols under the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) and initiating reservoir maintenance activities at key hydroelectric projects in Jammu and Kashmir.
Notably, soon after the Pahalgam attack, India suspended the Indus Waters Treaty, curtailed the Chenab River’s water flow to Pakistan, closed the Attari border, revoked SAARC visa exemptions for Pakistani nationals, and ordered their departure within 48 hours.
Diplomatic ties were further scaled back with the mutual expulsion of defence staff, marking a significant shift in India’s policy toward Pakistan.
Official sources familiar with the development said that the government has initiated reservoir flushing operations at the Baglihar and Salal dams on the Chenab River. These operations, previously conducted with prior notice to Pakistan under treaty norms, were carried out without any communication this time, they said.
According to officials, the decision not to notify Pakistan stems from the suspension of the IWT mechanism following the Pahalgam attack that left 26 dead.
The sluice gates at Baglihar and Salal dams were opened initially to flush sediment and later closed, temporarily holding back a significant volume of water that would otherwise flow into Pakistan’s Punjab province.
Officials estimate that the downstream water flow has been reduced by nearly 90 per cent.
The National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC), which operates the dams, said the maintenance work was aimed at increasing reservoir capacity and improving power generation.
Baglihar, located in Ramban district, has a capacity of 900 megawatts, while Salal, in Reasi district, produces 690 megawatts. Both projects are classified as run-of-the-river schemes but require periodic sediment removal to maintain operational efficiency.
The current maintenance includes near-emptying reservoirs and operating adjustable spillway gates, temporarily disrupting natural river flow.
India has also indicated that similar flushing work will be carried out at the Kishanganga hydroelectric project on the Jhelum River.
The Kishanganga project has been at the centre of long-standing disputes between the two countries. India’s recent actions signal a policy shift towards using its full entitlement of waters under the treaty without the usual bilateral engagement.
Beyond the immediate reservoir activities, India has expedited work on multiple hydroelectric projects in Jammu and Kashmir, including Pakal Dul, Kiru, Kwar and Ratle. These projects are expected to add over 3,000 megawatts of capacity by 2027-28.
The government described the current steps as part of a broader reassessment of India’s approach to water-sharing with Pakistan, prioritising national interests and security concerns over treaty obligations.
