Lahore:
In a sudden and alarming development, India has considerably increased water in the Chenab river, arousing concerns of the aggression of water against Pakistan. This decision is barely a few days after New Delhi unilaterally suspended the Industry Water Treaty (IWT), Brok-Brokerd Waters, reported on Tuesday.
The Chenab river – One of the three Western rivers allocated to Pakistan under the 65 -year -old treaty – has seen a drastic and brutal increase in water flow. According to Express News, the headache Marala was recorded at only 3,100 Cuses at 9 p.m. Monday. On Tuesday, he increased to 26,000 Cuses – a dramatic increase and unexplained in a few hours.
Punjab Minister Kazim Pirzada confirmed the “unnatural change” in the flow of the river.
“We witnessed changes in the river [Chenab] Who are not at all natural, “Pirzada told AFP.” One day, the river had a normal influx and the next day, it was considerably reduced, “he added.” The majority impact will be felt in areas that have fewer alternative waterways, “he said about its impact.
According to daily data shared by the Industes River System Authority (IRSA), a total of 132,000 water records was released from various rim stations, while the influx was 188,800 CUSCS. The data also indicated that 7,700 water records were released from the Chenab river in Marala.
The Indus Water Treaty (IWT}, signed in 1960 between Pakistan and India, allows India to use shared rivers for irrigation purposes, but forbids it to divert watercourses or modify downstream flows. However, on April 23, India unilaterally suspended the treaty, citing the presumed involvement of Pakistan in the death of 26 tourists Pahalgam.
In response, Pakistan warned India that falsification of its rivers would be considered “an act of war”. On Tuesday, the Minister of Information, Attaullah Tarar, repeated the warning by speaking to the National Assembly. “Any attempt to hijack Pakistan’s water resources would trigger a strong response.”
On Monday, according to a Reuters report, India launched the “Flushing” process for the Salal and Baglihar projects on the Chenab river in Jammu and the cashmere illegally occupied India (iiojk). The activity was carried out without informing Pakistan – a requirement under the IWT.
The tank rinsing process initially leads to waters loaded with sediment released downstream of the tanks, potentially causing a sudden flood, followed by a reduced water flow when the tanks are filled.
On Tuesday, according to an Indian newspaper report, the doors of lock spills on the Baglihar dam was lowered to restrict water flow as a short -term punitive action. The Minister of Punjab irrigation said it was done “so that we could not use water”.
Experts have said that water cannot be stopped in the longer term and that India could only regulate schedules when it releases flows. However, the Jinnah Institute warned: “Even small changes in the time of water versions can disrupt the sowing calendars (and) reduce crop yields”.
Meanwhile, according to another Reuters report, India has advanced the start date of four hydroelectric projects under construction in Iiojk per month. Citing sources, the report indicates that the updated calendar was another sign from India trying to take advantage of its unilateral IWT suspension.
The government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi had asked the authorities to clean obstacles to the rapid construction of four hydroelectric projects with a combined capacity of 3,014 megawatts, according to the document, an undated list made by the Power Ministry and examined by Reuters.
In a speech in New Delhi, Modi said that Iiojk water would be prevented from crossing borders. “India water will be stopped for the interests of India, and it will be used for India,” he said.
The four projects are Pakal Dul, 1,000 MW; Kiru, 624 MW; Kwar, 540 MW; and Ratle, 850 MW. All are on the Chenab river, whose waters are mainly intended for Pakistan. The NHPC managed by the state of India is invited to start the work between June 2026 and August 2028, said the document.
Pakistan and India are already in dispute on Ratle before the permanent court of arbitration in The Hague. The dispute concerns the dip or the small water storage area, the design of the turbine and certain other specifications. In total, India wanted work to accelerate a total of seven projects, according to the report. (With the contribution of agencies)
