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Hans India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Hans India
Indus Treaty suspension dries up key Pakistan dams
New Delhi: India's suspension of the Indus Water Treaty as part of several punitive measures against Pakistan has hit hard the agriculture sector in the neighbouring country with farmers there staring at a bleak kharif (summer crops) sowing season owing to major dip in live storage at its two key dams - Mangla on river Jhelum and Tarbela on Indus. The two dams play a crucial role in providing water for irrigation in Punjab and Sindh provinces of Pakistan and generating hydropower. The situation is likely to further aggravate this month during early kharif sowing, officials said. Alarmed by the grave threat, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has tried to raise concerns at an International Conference on Glaciers' Preservation to draw global attention to India's decision to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty. "India's unilateral and illegal decision to hold in abeyance the Indus Waters Treaty, which governs the sharing of the Indus Basin's water, is deeply regrettable," Pakistani newspaper Dawn quoted Sharif as saying. As per latest estimates by Pakistan's Indus River System Authority (IRSA), Pakistan is facing an overall shortage of 21% in water flow and around 50% in live storage of the two key dams. The IRSA in its statement "noted with concern" that the "sudden decrease in river Chenab inflows at Marala due to short supply by India would result in more shortage in early kharif season". India, however, has asked Pakistan to stop blaming it for the breach of the Indus Water Treaty. Addressing the plenary session of the first UN conference on glaciers in Tajikistan's Dushanbe on Friday, Minister of State for Environment Kirti Vardhan Singh said that Pakistan itself was violating the treaty through terrorism. "We are appalled at the attempt by Pakistan to misuse the forum and to bring in unwarranted references to issues which do not fall within the purview of the forum. We strongly condemned such an attempt," he said. Singh said it is an undeniable fact that there have been fundamental changes in circumstances since the Indus Waters Treaty was signed, which requires a reassessment of the treaty's obligations.
Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Pakistan hit by water crisis as Indus Waters Treaty remains in abeyance; Punjab worst-hit: Report
More than a month after India suspended the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960 with Pakistan, the neighbouring country has reported a drastic decrease in water. As per the latest data released by the Pakistani government, the water levels of the Indus and Jhelum rivers on Pakistan's side are running low. However, the Punjab province has been the worst-hit due to the "sudden decrease" in the inflows of the Chenab river. Based on the data from the Indus River System Authority (IRSA), the total availability of water in Punjab stands at 1,28,800 Cusecs on June 2, which is 14,800 Cusecs less than the water available last year. ALSO READ | Exposed by India globally over terror, Pakistan now dispatches delegations abroad Furthermore, IRSA added that the availability of water in the Indus River system in Punjab has declined by 10.3 pe rcent. The situation is expected to worsen as the southwest monsoon for Pakistan remains four weeks away. The water shortage in Pakistan's Punjab will have a direct impact on the summer crop season. Due to the limited availability of water, the province is bracing for irrigation problems amid severe summer heat. As per IRSA, "sudden decrease in river Chenab inflows at Marala due to short supply by India would result in more shortage in early kharif season". At the Tarbela and Mangla dams, Pakistan has reported a dip in water level as India continues to reduce water flow of the Indus rivers. As per an IndiaTV report, Mangla dam on the Jhelam river is currently left with less than 50 per cent of its fill level. Meanwhile, Tarbela dam on the Indus river stays slightly over 50 per cent. India has also stopped sharing water data with Pakistan has it continues to hold the 1960 treaty in abeyance. The Indus Waters Treaty of 1960 divided the six key rivers of Indian after the partition of 1948. In this treaty, it was determined that the Western rivers of Indus, Jhelum and Chenab would be allocated to Pakistan, whereas the Eastern rivers of Ravi, beas ans Sutlej would be allocated to India. Under the IWT, India will continue to receive 20 per cent of the water from the Indus River system, while Pakistan retains 80 per cent. After the attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam, which killed 25 Indians and one Nepali citizen, India announced it will be suspending the Indus Waters Treaty until Pakistan admits its role and takes action against cross-border terrorism. In response to this, Pakistan stated that any act of stopping the water flow would be seen as an "act of war."
Time of India
3 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Economy in dire straits, India's Indus Waters Treaty blow: Can Pakistan avoid the ‘begging bowl'?
Pakistan's economic recovery remains delicate as it works under a $7 billion International Monetary Fund programme. (AI image) Pakistan may not want to go to the world with a 'begging bowl', but the fact remains that its economy is in dire straits. During a recent address, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif acknowledged the country's extremely poor economic condition and emphasised that the world does not want it to come to it with a 'begging bowl'. He said Pakistan needs to focus on international investments rather than financial assistance. However, seeking bailout packages is not new for Pakistan. It has a long history of asking for loans and funds from external institutions and countries, and doing little to improve its economic indicators. Recently, Pakistan's National Accounts Committee said that the country's GDP growth fell short of official projections for FY 2024-25, achieving only 2.68 per cent growth compared to the targeted 3.6 per cent. Pakistan's economic recovery remains delicate as it works under a $7 billion International Monetary Fund programme. The conditions of this financial package necessitate structural changes, including increased electricity rates and additional taxation measures. Also Read | Explained in charts: India to become 4th largest world economy soon. What's the road ahead to No.3 spot? Pakistan aims to obtain external commercial funding amounting to $4.9 billion during fiscal year 2025-26. The government's aim is to secure $2.64 billion in short-term commercial bank borrowings. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like USDJPY đang đi lên không? IC Markets Đăng ký Undo Pakistan's economy faces multiple challenges and risks, and India's punitive measures post the Pahalgam terror attack are not making it easier for Islamabad to emerge stronger. Indus Waters Treaty Blow Impact Showing The agriculture sector, which provides employment to about 40% of the labour force, is facing substantial disturbances following India's move to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty. The kharif (summer crops) planting period in Pakistan faces significant challenges due to severely reduced water levels at its crucial dams - Mangla on river Jhelum and Tarbela on the Indus river. Additionally, there has been an abrupt reduction in Chenab river flow following India's water regulation after the Pahalgam terror incident. The water crisis could worsen during the early kharif sowing period this month. According to recent data from Pakistan's Indus River System Authority (IRSA), the country currently has a 21% deficit in water flow, whilst the two primary dams show approximately 50% reduction in live storage. These dams are vital for irrigation in Pakistan's Punjab and Sindh provinces, as well as for hydroelectric power generation. The IRSA's recent evaluation of water availability for summer sowing during May-Sept highlighted concerns about reduced water flow in river Chenab at Marala, attributing it to India's limited supply, which would affect early kharif season operations, according to a TOI report. Also Read | India's big crackdown! 20 export houses under scanner for illicit Pakistan trade using UAE route; trade-based money laundering suspected The authority announced a 21% overall deficit and instructed reservoir management and irrigation monitoring bodies to carefully manage water resources from storage facilities, considering the "crisis created by Indian short supplies in Chenab river". Whilst monsoon in the catchment region could potentially improve conditions by next month, Pakistan's agricultural activities will be significantly influenced by India's management of water flow through its limited storage facilities - Baglihar and Salal - situated on the Chenab in J&K. Tamil Nadu About To Overtake Pakistan's GDP Officials believe India's suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty could significantly impact Pakistan's ability to handle flood situations during peak flow periods when monsoon affects the Indus river system's catchment areas, with a substantial portion situated within India. Agricultural activities in Pakistan's Punjab and Sindh provinces are entirely reliant on irrigation channels connected to the Indus river network, which receives nearly all its water from the western rivers - Indus, Jhelum and Chenab. Targeting Pakistan's Funding Sources India aims to restrict Pakistan's access to funds in its ongoing efforts against state-sponsored terrorism from across the border. Following its opposition to Pakistan's IMF bailout package, India intends to challenge forthcoming World Bank loans earmarked for Pakistan as well. Furthermore, India intends to approach the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), the global financial crime watchdog, seeking Pakistan's return to its 'grey list'. Pakistan's exit from the FATF grey list in 2022 had improved its credibility with financial institutions, which was vital for its economically challenged situation. If FATF puts Pakistan back on the 'grey list', it will make it more difficult for the country to get investment. Also Read | 'Big ban' actions: How India is shunning Pakistan and its allies like Turkey & Azerbaijan - top 5 measures IMF's Strong Warning to Pakistan Even as it grapples with agriculture crises, Pakistan has also been issued a strong warning by the IMF over its bailout package. The IMF has substantially increased its loan programme prerequisites for Pakistan. The IMF has outlined 11 new conditions for Pakistan to secure continued financial support, including passing a Rs 17.6 trillion federal budget aligned with IMF targets by June 2025 and implementing agricultural income tax reforms across all provinces. Other key requirements include publishing a governance reform plan, preparing a long-term financial sector strategy, rebasing electricity tariffs by July, and adjusting gas tariffs by February 2026. The IMF also demands permanent legislation for a captive power levy, removal of the cap on a debt servicing surcharge, phasing out tax incentives in special technology zones by 2035, liberalizing used car imports, and allocating Rs 1.07 trillion for development spending. Stay informed with the latest business news, updates on bank holidays and public holidays . AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
NDTV
3 days ago
- Climate
- NDTV
Pakistan Faces Severe Water Crisis Amid Extreme Heat, Indus Waters Shortage
Quick Read Summary is AI generated, newsroom reviewed. Pakistan's Punjab faces a severe water shortage ahead of the kharif sowing season, with key dams running low and reduced inflows from India following a terror attack. The situation may worsen before the monsoon arrives, threatening agriculture and irrigation. Islamabad: Pakistan's Punjab province may be looking ahead to a tough kharif (summer crops) sowing season amid a major water shortage in its Indus River system, comprising the Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab. Islamabad has said that two of its key damns-- Tarbela on the Indus river and Mangla on the Jhelum river are running low on waters, while there has been a "sudden decrease" in Chenab River inflows after a short supply by India in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack. The latest data released by the Pakistan government shows that the availability of water in the Indus River System (inside Pakistan's Punjab province) has declined by 10.3 per cent as of 02 June, 2025, vis-a-vis 02 June, 2024. This situation may get worse in the coming weeks with the onset of the Southwest monsoon still at least four weeks away. According to Islamabad's Indus River System Authority (IRSA) -- which functions as a regulator to manage the distribution of water in the Indus River system inside Pakistan -- the total availability of water in Punjab province was just 1,28,800 Cusecs on June 2, 2025, which is 14,800 Cusecs less than the month of water available last year on the same say. This water shortage may prove catastrophic for farmers as the Kharif sowing season is underway, and the Southwest Monsoon is not likely to reach Punjab Province until the end of June, leading to irrigation problems amid extreme summer heat. This comes after Pakistan, last month, projected an overall water shortage of 21 per cent this summer and advised dam authorities and irrigation supply monitoring agencies to use water from reservoirs judiciously. Islamabad also projected a 50 per cent water shortage in live storage of the two key dams, which play a crucial role in providing water for irrigation in Punjab and Sindh provinces of Pakistan and generating hydropower. The worsening crisis was probably what prompted Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to raise his concerns at a conference on glacier preservation in Tajikistan's Dushanbe last week, and draw global attention to India's decision to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty. Indus Waters Treaty The water shortage in Pakistan is a likely fallout of India's decision to hold the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960 in abeyance following the Pahalgam attack, which was attributed to Pakistan's support for cross-border terrorism. The Treaty allocates the Western Rivers (Indus, Jhelum, Chenab) to Pakistan and the Eastern Rivers (Ravi, Beas, Sutlej) to India. At the same time, it allows each country certain uses of the rivers allocated to the other. The treaty gives India 20 per cent of the water from the Indus River System and the rest 80 per cent to Pakistan. The attack in Pahalgam occurred on April 22 at Baisaran meadow, where terrorists targeted tourists, killing 25 Indian nationals and one Nepalese citizen, and leaving several others injured. With the suspension of the treaty, India has stopped sharing the water level data in three rivers with Pakistan. This could prove catastrophic for Islamabad during Monsoons as India's early warnings about rising waters in the three rivers helped Pakistan issue timely evacuation warnings to people living in low-lying areas in Punjab and Sindh province.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Pakistan's kharif crop under threat as key dams dry up amid India's tightened control on Chenab flow
Pakistan faces a tough summer crop season due to low water storage in key dams. A sudden drop in Chenab river flow, regulated by India after the Pahalgam attack, worsens the crisis. Pakistan anticipates a 21% overall water shortage. Live storage in Mangla and Tarbela dams has dropped by about 50%. The country urges careful water use, awaiting monsoon rains. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Pakistan's Kharif Crop Sowing Threatened by Water Shortage Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Punjab and Sindh Dependent on Western Rivers for Irrigation Pakistan is facing a tough kharif (summer crop) sowing season due to a sharp drop in water storage at its two main dams, Mangla on the Jhelum river and Tarbela on the Indus river. The crisis has worsened because of a sudden reduction in water flow from the Chenab river, which India has regulated following the Pakistan-backed Pahalgam terror worrying situation may get worse in the coming weeks during the early kharif sowing period. It was a key reason why Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif recently spoke at a glacier preservation conference in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, urging the world to pay attention to India's decision to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT).According to a Times of India (TOI) report, Pakistan's Indus River System Authority (IRSA) estimates that the country is already facing an overall 21% shortage in water flow. Live water storage in the two critical dams, which supply irrigation water to Punjab and Sindh provinces and help generate hydropower, has dropped by about 50%.The IRSA expressed concern over the 'sudden decrease' in Chenab river inflows at Marala, caused by reduced water supply from India. This drop is expected to cause further water shortages in the early kharif season. The authority has asked dam managers and irrigation officials to use water carefully, keeping in mind the crisis caused by India's reduced water supply from the situation might improve once the monsoon rains arrive next month, but Pakistan's farming still heavily depends on how India manages water flow through its own dams, Baglihar and Salal, on the Chenab river in Jammu and Kashmir. So far, India has only cleared sediments in these reservoirs to increase water storage and has stopped sharing water flow data with Pakistan after putting the Indus Waters Treaty on hold following the Pahalgam data shows that Mangla dam currently holds less than 50% of its total capacity (2.7 million acre-feet out of 5.9 MAF), while Tarbela dam is just above 50% (6 MAF out of 11.6 MAF).Officials say India is not legally required to share water flow data after suspending the treaty, making it hard for Pakistan to manage floods during the peak monsoon season, since much of the Indus river catchment lies within and Sindh provinces in Pakistan rely fully on irrigation canals linked to the Indus river system, which depends on the western rivers, Indus, Jhelum, and India controls the eastern rivers (Ravi, Sutlej, and Beas) under the treaty, it has not developed enough infrastructure to fully use this water, indirectly benefiting is allowed to build water storage facilities on the western rivers up to 3.6 million acre-feet but has not yet fully used this option, which works to Pakistan's advantage by from TOI
