EMERGENCY DECLARED IN POK |

Pakistan Blames India for Floods in Jhelum River!

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Emergency Declared in Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir as India Releases Water from Rivers

A state of emergency has been declared in Muzaffarabad, located in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), following sudden and severe flooding. Pakistani authorities and media outlets are claiming that India abruptly released a significant amount of water without prior notice, leading to rapidly rising water levels and dangerous conditions in the region.

Bangladeshi media has also begun directly accusing India, stating, “Water levels rise in Jhelum River after India’s unnotified discharge.” Videos circulating from PoK show dramatic scenes of rivers swelling, homes being threatened, and emergency announcements being made through local mosques.

However, it is important to understand the broader context. Following the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, India is no longer obligated to regularly share river water data with Pakistan. Previously, India would notify Pakistan about water releases, dam operations, and river flow changes. But today, such information sharing has significantly reduced.

The Strategic Importance of the Jhelum River

The Jhelum River originates from Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir, flows through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, and eventually into Pakistan’s main territory. Under the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty, three rivers—Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab—were largely allocated for Pakistan’s use, while three eastern rivers were for India’s utilization.

Because Jhelum is categorized as a “Western River,” Pakistan has always been extremely sensitive about any Indian activities on it. India, under treaty conditions, was only permitted limited use of Jhelum waters—for hydropower projects, domestic purposes, and non-consumptive needs.

In 2018, a major shift occurred when India completed the Kishanganga Hydroelectric Project on a tributary of the Jhelum River. Pakistan fiercely opposed this project for years, taking the matter to international forums like the World Bank and even raising concerns at the United Nations. Despite their efforts, India successfully completed the project, allowing controlled storage and usage of the Jhelum’s waters.

Since then, Pakistan’s apprehensions have grown. Now, without mandatory data sharing and treaty restrictions, India exercises much greater control over the flow of water.

Pakistan’s Growing Vulnerability

Recent events, where water levels in PoK surged suddenly, have served as a stark reality check for Pakistan. Even if no major casualties have occurred so far, the incident highlights the sheer power India now holds over Pakistan’s critical water resources.

A New York Times article recently emphasized how India’s control over rivers could potentially devastate Pakistan’s agriculture and economy. According to various Pakistani analysts, if India systematically controls and reduces water flows over the next six to seven years, Pakistan could lose up to 40% of its available water. This would lead to the collapse of its agricultural industry and a massive population decline.

For decades, India refrained from using water as a strategic tool, even during wars and conflicts with Pakistan. However, with the growing number of hydroelectric projects and water management systems in India, the situation has dramatically shifted. Today, India has the capacity to regulate river flows in ways that could have enormous geopolitical consequences.

Final Thoughts

Pakistan must recognize the severity of its situation. Beyond political rhetoric, it must take substantial actions against terrorism and militant activities emanating from its territory, particularly in PoK. Otherwise, as control over natural resources like water becomes a sharper instrument in international relations, Pakistan could face irreversible devastation.

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