India has halted the water flow to Pakistan from the Baglihar dam located on the Chenab river. Simultaneously, it is also planning to reduce water runoff from the Kishanganga project on the Jhelum river. These actions come after the Indus Water Treaty was kept in abeyance.

Following a week of dialogues and water testing, India initiated de-silting activities at the Baglihar dam, subsequently decreasing the downstream flow to Pakistan by a maximum of 90 per cent through the lowering of sluice gates.

An official from the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation announced on Sunday (4 May) that analogous operations are also scheduled for the Kishanganga dam, Hindustan Times reported.

“We have closed the gates of the Baglihar hydel power project. We had done de-silting of the reservoir and it has to be refilled. The process was started on Saturday,” another official was quoted as saying.

Within hours of Pakistan testing its surface-to-surface ballistic missile on Saturday, India responded with actions including the prohibition of ships flying the Pakistani flag from docking at any of the country’s ports.

After the Pahalgam attack on 22 April, India has raised the ante against Pakistan. The second official said, “Since India has kept the IWT in abeyance, we are exploring all possible ways to use our river waters for the benefit of our citizens”.