6 hours ago
Last Updated:May 06, 2025, 08:51 IST
India's decision to keep the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance is expected to cause 21% water shortage in Pakistan during the early Kharif season.
India suspended the Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan after the Pahalgam attack. (PTI)
India’s decision to put the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance after the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22 is expected to have an alarming impact on Pakistan, as the Indus River System Authority (IRSA) advisory committee predicted a 21% water shortage in Pakistan during the early Kharif season due to a sudden decrease in Chenab River inflows.
India has put in abeyance the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty, which governs the use of the Indus River and its tributaries between India and Pakistan and ensures water supply to 80% of Pakistani farms, after a terrorist attack in J&K’s Pahalgam claimed the lives of 26 tourists.
India also closed the gates of the Salal and Baglihar dams on the Chenab River, causing water levels to drop significantly and affecting flow to Pakistan. The Central government is planning similar measures on the Kishanganga Dam to punish Pakistan.
The IRSA advisory committee has put a grim picture for Pakistan over a sudden decrease in River Chenab inflows at Marala due to a short supply by India, which can impact water availability during the early Kharif season. The meeting was held to approve the Anticipated Water Availability Criteria for the balance period of Kharif from May to September 2025.
“The Indus River System Authority Advisory Committee (IAC) reviewed the water situation for the remaining months of Early Kharif (May – June 10), and Late Kharif (Jun 11 – September) season," the IRSA said in a press release. “It was noted with concern unanimously that a sudden decrease in river Chenab inflows at Marala due to a short supply by India would result in more shortages in the early Kharif season."
The committee declared an overall shortage of 21% during the early Kharif season in Pakistan, “in case supplies in the River Chenab remain normal". However, the situation is being monitored daily, and if the decrease in Chenab River flow continues, the shortages would be revisited accordingly.
The water levels of the Chenab River witnessed a significant drop in Akhnoor, Jammu and Kashmir, after the closure of gates at the Baglihar and Salal Dams, which may impact water flow to Pakistan.
Following the brutal terror attack in Pahalgam, where 25 Indian nationals and a foreign tourist were killed, India enacted a series of punitive measures across trade, water sharing, diplomatic presence, and border control aimed at isolating Pakistan.
Apart from keeping the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance, India has also banned imports from Pakistan and barred Pakistani-flagged ships from Indian ports. It sealed the Attari-Wagah land border, halting all pedestrian and vehicular movement. All Pakistani military advisors stationed in India have also been expelled.
Location :Islamabad, Pakistan
First Published:News world Pakistan Likely To Face 21% Water Shortage In Kharif Season As India Suspends Indus Treaty
