Tensions between India and Pakistan intensified after Pakistan accused India of releasing water into the Jhelum river, which caused a surge in water levels near Muzaffarabad in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). The incident occurred following India’s decision to suspend the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty, in retaliation for the deadly terror attack in Pahalgam on April 22, in which 26 Indian tourists were killed.
According to a reports, the sudden rise in the water levels triggered panic among locals in Hattian Bala, around 40 km from Muzaffarabad.
The local administration declared a water emergency, and announcements were made through mosques urging residents near the riverbanks to remain cautious. The surge in the river’s water levels was reported to have entered from Kashmir's Anantnag, passing through the Chakothi area of PoK. Pakistani authorities have condemned this alleged water release as a “complete violation of international rules and water agreements."
The water release accusations come in the wake of India’s suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, a move made in response to the Pahalgam terror attack carried out by Pakistan-based terrorists. India stated that the treaty would remain suspended until Pakistan "credibly and irreversibly" ceases its support for cross-border terrorism.
The Indus Waters Treaty, brokered by the World Bank and signed in 1960, has long been considered a symbol of cooperation between the two nations. Under the treaty, India controls the eastern rivers—Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej—while Pakistan has rights over the western rivers—Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab. Despite numerous conflicts, the treaty has withstood diplomatic and military tensions over the years.
India’s suspension of the treaty is expected to have significant consequences for Pakistan, which relies heavily on the Indus river system for irrigation. Around 90% of Pakistan’s agriculture depends on the waters of the Indus basin, and any disruption could severely impact crop yields, exacerbate water scarcity, and increase domestic unrest, particularly in Punjab and Sindh provinces.
One key aspect of the treaty involves the timely sharing of hydrological data between the two nations, including flood warnings, river discharge volumes, and glacier melt information. With the suspension of these measures, Pakistan risks facing severe water management challenges, including potential droughts or flooding due to a lack of information on the status of the Indus and its tributaries.
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