There is rising tension between India and Pakistan. Recently, after a terror attack in Pahalgam, India said that “blood and water cannot flow together,” meaning they don’t want to share water while facing attacks from Pakistan.
On Saturday, Pakistan said that the amount of water flowing from India into the Chenab River has dropped a lot — by 91,000 cusecs — in just two days.
Pakistan’s Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda) shared data showing that the water flow at Marala Headworks dropped from 98,200 cusecs on May 29 to only 7,200 cusecs on June 1. There was no water flowing out after that.
Pakistan’s Meteorological Department said this drop is similar to what happened earlier in May, when India reduced water flow before tensions between the two countries increased.
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About the Indus Waters Treaty
India stopped following the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) on April 23. India blames people in Pakistan for the recent terror attack, but Pakistan denies this. Although both countries agreed to a ceasefire in May, India has not started working with Pakistan again under the treaty.
India says it cannot share water under the treaty while Pakistan supports terrorism. Indian leaders say the treaty should change to reflect the current situation, where Pakistan breaks peace agreements.
Why is Chenab River Important for Pakistan?
The Chenab River is very important for farming in Pakistan, especially in Punjab province. Many canals, like the Upper Chenab and the Bambawali-Ravi-Bedian (BRB) canals, get water from this river to water farms. If water flow stops for a long time, it could badly affect farming and the lives of many farmers.
India says it has the right to control the water from eastern rivers and some rights over western rivers like Chenab under the treaty. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently said Pakistan cannot expect water if it supports terror. He said, “Pakistan cannot take both terror and water for granted.”
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Pakistan calls India’s reduction of water “weaponizing water” to pressure them. But India says it is using its water rights fairly and that this step is needed because of Pakistan’s ongoing provocations.
