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India suspended the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty, which governs the use of the Indus River and its tributaries between India and Pakistan, after the Pahalgam terror attack.
India cut water supply to Pakistan through the Baglihar Dam on the Chenab River. (Reuters/Representative Image)
India has begun work to boost reservoir holding capacity at two hydroelectric projects in Jammu and Kashmir after it suspended the decades-old Indus Waters Treaty following the Pahalgam terror attack, according to a report.
India suspended 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 Pahalgam claimed the lives of 26 tourists on April 26.
India also cut water flow through the Baglihar Dam on the Chenab leading to Pakistan on Sunday, while it is planning similar measures at the Kishanganga Dam on the Jhelum River.
A “reservoir flushing” process to remove sediment began on Thursday, carried out by India’s biggest hydropower company, state-run NHPC Ltd, and authorities in the federal territory of Jammu and Kashmir, three sources familiar with the matter told Reuters.
This work may not immediately threaten water supply to Pakistan, but it could eventually be affected if other Indian projects launch similar efforts. Pakistan already depends on rivers flowing through India for much of its irrigation and hydropower generation and there are over half a dozen such projects in J&K.
‘India Did Not Inform Pakistan’
This process was taking place at the Salal and Baglihar projects for the first time since they were built in 1987 and 2008, respectively, as the treaty had blocked such work. Moreover, India has not informed Pakistan about this work, as per the sources.
The flushing operation ran for three days from May 1, the sources said. “This is the first time such an exercise has taken place and will help in more efficient power generation and prevent damage to turbines,” one of the sources told Reuters. “We were also asked to open the adjustable gates for cleaning, which we did from May 1.”
The flushing of hydropower projects requires nearly emptying a reservoir to force out sediments whose build-up is a major cause of decline in output. Two sources said that the power delivered by the 690 MW Salal project was far below its capacity because Pakistan had prevented such flushing.
“Flushing is not a common thing because it leads to a lot of water wastage,” said one of the sources. “Downstream countries are expected to be informed in case it leads to any inundation.”
As tensions escalated over the Pahalgam attack, India initiated a series of punitive actions against Pakistan, which has denied responsibility for the attack and threatened an “all-out war” if the Indus Waters Treaty is violated. India has also suspended routine water sharing and flood warnings with Pakistan.
The Baglihar Dam has been a longstanding point of contention between the two neighbours, with Pakistan having sought World Bank arbitration in the past. On the other hand, the Kishanganga Dam has faced legal and diplomatic scrutiny due to its impact on the Neelum River.
(with Reuters inputs)
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