LAHORE:
In a sudden and alarming development, India has significantly increased water to the Chenab River, which caused concerns of water aggression against Pakistan. The measure occurs just days after New Delhi unilaterally suspended the Banks Banks Banks Banks Banks Banks Water Treaty (IWT), Express News reported on Tuesday.
The Chenab River, one of the three Western rivers assigned to Pakistan under the 65 -year -old treaty, saw a drastic and abrupt increase in water flow. According to Express News, the entrance to Chief Marala was registered at only 3,100 CUSECs at 9 pm on Monday. For Tuesday, it had increased to 26,000 Cusecs, a dramatic and inexplicable increase in hours.
Punjab Irrigation Minister Kazim Pirzada confirmed the “unnatural change” in the river flow.
“We have witnessed changes in the river [Chenab] They are not natural at all, “Pirzada told AFP.” One day the river had a normal entrance and the next day it was considerably reduced, “he added.” The impact of the majority will feel in areas that have less alternative water routes, “he said on their impact.
According to daily data shared by the Indus River System Authority (IRSA), a total of 132,000 water cusecs from several edge stations was released, while the entrance stood at 188,800 Cusec. The data also indicated that 7,700 cusecs of water from the Chenab River were released in Marala.
The Treaty of Indo Waters (IWT}, signed in 1960 between Pakistan and India, allows India to use shared rivers for irrigation purposes, but forbids diverting water courses or altering subsequent flows.
In response, Pakistan warned India that manipulating with her rivers would be considered “an act of war.” On Tuesday, the Minister of Information, Attaullah Tarar, repeated the warning while talking in the National Assembly. “Any attempt to divert the water resources of Pakistan would trigger a strong response.”
On Monday, according to a Reuters report, India began the “flushing” process in the salaral and baglihar projects in the Chenab River in the Indian Jammu and Cashmira illegally occupied (Iiojk). The activity was carried out without informing Pakistan, a requirement under the IWT.
The process of discharge of the deposit initially produces in waters loaded with sediments that are released downstream from the deposits, which can cause a sudden flood, followed by a reduced flow of water as the deposits are filled.
On Tuesday, according to an Indian journalistic report, the landfills in the Baglihar dam were reduced to restrict water flow as a short -term punitive action. Punjab Irrigation Minister said this was being done “so that we cannot use the water.”
Experts said that water cannot stop in the long term, and that India could only regulate when it releases flows. However, the Jinnah Institute warned: “Even small changes at the time of water versions can interrupt the planting calendars (and) reduce crop yields.”
Meanwhile, according to another Reuters report, India advanced the start date of four hydroelectric projects under construction in IIOJK for months. Citing Fuentes, the report said the updated schedule was another sign of India that tried to take advantage of its unilateral suspension of the IWT.
The government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi had asked the authorities to clear obstacles to the rapid construction of four hydroelectric projects with a combined capacity of 3,014 megawatts, according to the document, a list without date made by the Ministry of Energy and reviewed by Reuters.
In a speech in New Delhi, Modi said that Iiojk’s water would prevent it from flowing through the borders. “India’s water will stop for the interests of India, and will be used for India,” he said.
The four projects are Pakal Dul, 1,000 MW; Kiru, 624 MW; Kwar, 540 MW; and rat, 850 MW. All of them are on the Chenab River, whose waters are mainly for Pakistan. The state NHPC of India is requested to begin work between June 2026 and August 2028, according to the document.
Pakistan and India are already in dispute over rats in the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague. The dispute is the pond, or the small water storage area, the turbine design and some other specifications. In total, India wanted accelerated work in a total of seven projects, according to the report. (With agencies contributions)
