India has initiated work on major hydro projects in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) to hold Pakistani waters, following the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty after renewed tensions with Pakistan.
According to Reuters, India has started efforts to boost reservoir holding capacity at the Salal and Baglihar hydroelectric projects in IIOJK. This marks the first significant move by India to operate outside the framework of the Indus Waters Treaty, which had remained intact since 1960 despite several wars and conflicts.
Last month, New Delhi suspended the decades-old pact after a deadly attack in IIOJK that killed 26 people, mostly Hindu tourists. Islamabad, denying involvement, has warned that any attempt to block or divert Pakistani waters would be treated as an act of war and has threatened international legal action.
India’s largest hydropower company, state-run NHPC Ltd, along with local authorities, began a “reservoir flushing” process on May 1 to remove sediment from the dams. The exercise ran for three days and involved nearly emptying the reservoirs to force out sediment that hampers power generation.
The ongoing work to hold Pakistani waters might not immediately impact Pakistan’s irrigation and hydropower needs but could pose long-term risks if more projects follow similar practices. There are over half a dozen hydropower projects in the region that could adopt similar measures.
For the first time since their construction in 1987 and 2008/09, the Salal and Baglihar dams underwent flushing, a move previously blocked under treaty conditions. India did not notify Pakistan about the operation, a requirement usually followed to prevent downstream inundation.
Residents living along the Chenab River noticed significant water release from both dams during the three-day operation. Two sources explained that sediment buildup had drastically reduced the Salal project’s 690-MW capacity and had similarly affected the 900-MW Baglihar plant.
While reservoir flushing can lead to substantial water wastage, it is crucial for maintaining efficient power generation and protecting turbines from damage. Experts note that India’s move could set a precedent, especially now that the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty allows New Delhi to proceed without restrictions.
India previously requested the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to review its loan programs to Pakistan amid escalating tensions between the nuclear-armed neighbors. New Delhi’s concerns center on ensuring that IMF funds are not diverted towards defense spending or repaying debts to third countries.
Pakistan, on the other hand, maintains that its IMF program is progressing well and asserts that the funds are crucial for stabilizing its economy. The IMF has completed the second and final review of Pakistan’s economic reform program, allowing for an immediate disbursement of approximately $1.1 billion.