India temporarily halted the flow of water through the Baglihar dam on the Chenab River amid rising tensions following the Pahalgam terror attack. While the move complies with the Indus Waters Treaty, it further escalates the ongoing conflict between India and Pakistan over water rights and regional security.
After suspending the Indus Waters Treaty in retaliation for the April 22 Pahalgam attack, which killed 26 people, India halted water flow via the Baglihar dam, a run-of-the-river project in Jammu and Kashmir generating 900 MW.
Reports indicate that similar actions may be directed at the Kishanganga dam. The Baglihar dam, restricted by treaty limitations, can only temporarily hold water before it must be released, rendering any stoppage more of a symbolic gesture. Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemned the attack, promising severe consequences for those responsible and stating that it targeted “India’s soul.”
#NewsFlash | India has halted the flow of water to Pakistan from Baglihar Dam on the Chenab River. Authorities after emptying the reservoir, have closed the gates of the Baglihar dam.
No water can flow to Pakistan’s Punjab province till India refills the reservoir, sources to… pic.twitter.com/E1K1OWrwKB
— CNBC-TV18 (@CNBCTV18Live) May 5, 2025Indus Waters Treaty Context
The Chenab, a “western river” under the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty, grants Pakistan unrestricted use, while India can utilise it for non-consumptive purposes like hydroelectricity. Pakistan has long objected to the Baglihar and Kishanganga projects, alleging violations.
The World Bank, a treaty signatory, upheld some of Pakistan’s concerns about Baglihar but rejected others, and a Court of Arbitration ruled in India’s favour on Kishanganga. Pakistan has warned that prolonged water stoppages could be deemed an act of war, threatening to suspend bilateral agreements like the Simla Agreement.
Read: Pakistan Urges UN Emergency Meeting on India’s Regional Provocations
India’s temporary halt of Chenab water flow through the Baglihar dam signals a stern warning to Pakistan amid the fallout of the Pahalgam attack. While compliant with the Indus Waters Treaty, the move deepens bilateral tensions, spotlighting the fragile balance of water rights and regional peace. Global attention remains on de-escalation efforts as the conflict unfolds.
