India Blocks Chenab River Water at Baglihar Dam

In a move that has sparked renewed tensions between India and Pakistan, India has blocked the flow of water from the Chenab River at the Baglihar Dam, located in the Jammu and Kashmir region. This decision has raised serious environmental, agricultural, and geopolitical concerns in Pakistan, particularly in Punjab, where millions depend on the river for irrigation.

• India blocks Chenab River water at Baglihar Dam, raising alarm in Pakistan

• Pakistan expresses serious concerns, claims violation of the Indus Waters Treaty

• Chenab River is a lifeline for agriculture in Pakistan’s Punjab region

• The move is seen as a possible pressure tactic amid regional tensions

• Pakistani officials say they are considering diplomatic and legal options

According to reliable sources and water regulatory bodies, India has significantly reduced the flow of water from the Chenab River by restricting its release at the Baglihar Dam. This has directly impacted water availability downstream in Pakistan, leading to a shortage in irrigation water across many regions in Punjab.

Farmers are reporting lower water levels in canals, affecting the sowing season of critical crops like wheat, sugarcane, and rice.

• The Chenab River is one of the key western rivers allocated to Pakistan under the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty, brokered by the World Bank

• It plays a vital role in Pakistan’s irrigation system, especially in Punjab, the country's food basket

• The river’s blockage could lead to economic loss, food insecurity, and social unrest

The Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), signed in 1960 between India and Pakistan, divides the usage rights of six rivers:

• India gets control of: Ravi, Beas, Sutlej (Eastern rivers)

• Pakistan gets control of: Indus, Jhelum, Chenab (Western rivers)

Under this treaty:

• India is not allowed to store or divert water from the western rivers except for limited uses (e.g., run-of-the-river hydropower)

• Any project that affects water flow must be notified and approved by Pakistan beforehand

Blocking or reducing water flow without prior notice is a clear violation of the treaty. 

Pakistani officials, including the Ministry of Water Resources and the Foreign Office, have strongly condemned India’s action.

“This is a deliberate act of water aggression by India. We will raise this matter at the international level,” – Pakistani Foreign Office Spokesperson

“India’s actions are not only a treaty violation but a direct threat to our agriculture and economy,” – Minister for Water Resources

The immediate impact is being felt by farmers in central and southern Punjab:

• Canal systems running dry in Sialkot, Multan, and Bahawalpur

• Delayed crop cycles due to water shortage

• Lower yields expected, risking food supply and prices

One farmer from Sahiwal stated:

“We rely on Chenab water for irrigation. Without it, our crops are dying, and our livelihoods are at stake.”

This is not the first time India has been accused of weaponizing water in the context of its dispute with Pakistan.

• Violation of international treaties

• Destabilization of regional peace

• Potential involvement of international bodies like the World Bank and the UN

Pakistani diplomats are reportedly preparing to lodge a formal complaint with the World Bank, which is the guarantor of the Indus Waters Treaty.

Experts on South Asian geopolitics and water management are warning of serious consequences if water becomes a tool of warfare.

“Water must never be used as a weapon. Both countries need to resolve such issues diplomatically and through proper channels,” – Dr. Shireen Ahmed, Water Policy Analyst

Some have even suggested that climate change and glacial melt in the Himalayas make cooperation on water even more critical than before.

Indian officials argue that the Baglihar Dam operates under IWT guidelines, and claim the flow reductions are part of normal hydropower operations. However, no official explanation or notification to Pakistan has been made public, which itself is a breach of transparency requirements under the treaty.

India’s decision to block the Chenab River’s water flow at the Baglihar Dam is not just a political move—it’s a humanitarian issue. Water is life, and in the agricultural heartland of Pakistan, any disruption in water supply means economic distress, food insecurity, and regional instability.