Latest news with #LateKharif
Time of India
06-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
India's strike will hit Pak where it hurts the most
Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads India's dam strike is already spooking Pakistan Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads A strike where it hurts the most, the stomach Pakistan's domestic water wars Inflation can again shoot up Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads While Pakistan nervously awaits India to hit it with a surgical strike to avenge the Pahalgam terror attack, as it had done in case of Pulwama attack in 2019, India has already launched a surgical strike -- a strike on Pakistan's food economy. While India is expected to be planning a military action against Pakistan, it has since Sunday restricted flows through Jammu's Baglihar and Salal hydroelectric dams on the Chenab river that runs on to Pakistan, causing an unprecedented drop in water levels. The actions demonstrate India's ability to regulate timing of water releases and comes after the Centre's decision to suspend Indus Water Treaty (IWT) with Pakistan following the Pahalgam attack. Under IWT, India would have had to inform Pakistan before regulating Chenab's move is part of the country's detailed roadmap, prepared after suspension of the IWT to prevent and regulate flow of western rivers -- Indus, Jhelum and Chenab -- to flushing and desilting of reservoirs at Baglihar and Salal - both run-of-the-river hydro-power projects on the Chenab river -- are being undertaken by India in an immediate move to prepare them for storing and regulating flow of water to Pakistan during the winters. TOI has reported that more dams will undergo the process in coming days to ensure better storage in Indus River System Authority (IRSA) advisory committee on Monday expressed deep concern over a sudden decrease in River Chenab inflows at Marala due to short supply by India, which may result in a 21% water shortage in Pakistan during the early Kharif season. IRSA Advisory Committee meeting was held to approve the Anticipated Water Availability Criteria for the balance period of Kharif from May to September 2025."Indus River System Authority Advisory Committee (IAC) reviewed the water situation for the remaining months of "Early Kharif" (May-Jun 10) Late Kharif (Jun 11-Sep) season. It was noted with concern unanimously that sudden decrease in river Chenab inflows at Marala due to short supply by India would result in more shortages in Early Kharif Season," the Indus River System Authority (IRSA) stated in a press may face a significant water shortage during the Kharif season due to reduced water supplies from India. "IAC declared an overall shortage of 21 per cent for the remaining Early Kharif Season in case supplies in River Chenab remains normal. However, the situation would be monitored daily and if the decrease continues in "River Chenab", the shortages would be revisited accordingly. The Late Kharif Shortages are expected to be 7 per cent," it IWT suspension by India can considerably affect Pakistan, as this agreement regulates the usage and allocation of water from the Indus River system and its tributaries, which are essential for Pakistan's water requirements and agricultural sector. The Indus River network, comprising the Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej rivers, serves as Pakistan's principal water resource, supporting a population of tens of receives about 80% of the total water flow, which is vital for agriculture in Pakistan, especially in the provinces of Punjab and Sindh. Pakistan relies substantially on this water supply for irrigation, farming and potable agricultural sector contributes 23% to Pakistan's national income and supports 68% of its rural inhabitants. The Indus basin supplies 154.3 million acre-feet of water yearly, which is vital for irrigating extensive agricultural areas and ensuring food security. Any interruption to water flow would significantly impact Pakistan's agricultural sector, a crucial component of its economy and rural water availability will likely lead to lower crop yields, food shortages, and economic instability in rural areas dependent on farming. Pakistan already faces critical water management issues such as groundwater depletion, salinization of agricultural lands, and limited water storage capacity. The country's water storage capacity is low, with major dams like Mangla and Tarbela having a combined live storage of only about 14.4 MAF, which is just 10% of Pakistan's annual water share under the treaty. The suspension exacerbates these vulnerabilities by cutting off a guaranteed water supply, leaving Pakistan with fewer options to manage its water suspension of IWT by India comes at a time when the implications of the move will hit the Pakistani establishment in the Sindh province of Pakistan have been protesting against a project aimed to divert Indus river water in Punjab which would decrease the downstream supply to Sindh. The project, which the Pakistani government says it has shelved due to protests, happens to have the blessings of army chief Gen. Asim Munir who is believed to have approved the Pahalgam terror attack. When Sindhis are protesting against a part of their share of water in the Indus river going to Punjab, suspension of IWT will create further unrest in Pakistan because now India diverting Indus waters will squeeze the supply to Pakistan, fuelling domestic conflicts over sharing of reducing the flow of water to Pakistan will hit crop yields and cause a spike in food inflation. In the past few years, Pakistan has seen one of its worst spells of inflation which it is now bringing under easing of inflation, Pakistan's central bank on Monday decided to cut the policy rate by 1 per cent, bringing it to 11 per cent. The low inflation is primarily attributed to lower prices of key food staples such as wheat and its derivatives, onions, potatoes and certain pulses, as well as a cut in electricity and fuel charges. These items carry significant weight in the inflation basket - the Consumer Price Index (CPI) - meaning minor price changes can heavily influence the overall of water supply by India will show effect on the Kharif output which can spike inflation once in Pakistan has been declining for several months, hitting low double digits in February, after it soared to around 40% in May 2023. Pakistan has been trying to prove to its lenders that it is improving its macroeconomic conditions. Pakistan says its $350 billion economy has stabilized under the $7 billion IMF bailout that had helped it stave off a default threat in Rating has said recently that Pakistan's macroeconomic conditions have been "improving", with growth gradually rising, inflation declining and foreign-exchange reserves increasing amid continued progress in the IMF restriction of water by India lowers the crop yield and boosts food prices, Pakistan will again be struggling with high inflation.(With inputs from TOI and agencies)
Mint
06-05-2025
- Politics
- Mint
Pakistan may face 21% water shortage for kharif as India halts Indus Treaty, says IRSA
India's decision to place the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance has raised serious concerns in Pakistan. On Monday, the Indus River System Authority (IRSA) advisory committee expressed grave apprehension over a sudden reduction in the inflow of the Chenab River at Marala, attributed to decreased water releases by India. This shortfall could lead to a 21% water deficit in Pakistan during the early Kharif season. India formally suspended the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty on 24 April 2025, citing security concerns following the Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir, which killed 26 people. The move halted data-sharing and project notifications to Pakistan, with India asserting its right to fully utilise water resources from western rivers (Indus, Jhelum, Chenab). Pakistan's Indus River System Authority (IRSA) warned of a 21% water shortage during the early Kharif season (May–June) and 7% in late Kharif (June–September), citing reduced Chenab River flows from India. The Chenab's inflow at Marala headworks dropped sharply, threatening irrigation for crops like rice, cotton, and maize-critical for Pakistan's food security. IRSA attributed the deficit to India's reduced releases from upstream dams, including Baglihar and Salal. "Indus River System Authority Advisory Committee (IAC) reviewed the water situation for the remaining months of "Early Kharif" (May - Jun 10) Late Kharif (Jun 11 - Sep) season. It was noted with concern unanimously that sudden decrease in river Chenab inflows at Marala due to short supply by India would result in more shortages in Early Kharif Season," the Indus River System Authority (IRSA) stated in a press release. Pakistan may face a significant water shortage during the Kharif season due to reduced water supplies from India. The Kharif season refers to the monsoon cropping period in South Asia, typically running from June to October. Key crops grown during this season include rice, maize, millet, and cotton, which rely heavily on rainfall and irrigation. "IAC declared an overall shortage of 21 per cent for the remaining Early Kharif Season in case supplies in River Chenab remains normal. However, the situation would be monitored daily and if the decrease continues in "River Chenab", the shortages would be revisited accordingly. The Late Kharif Shortages are expected to be 7 per cent," it added. The water shortage 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 Indus Waters Treaty allocates 80% of the Indus River System's water to Pakistan and 20% to India. While India controls eastern rivers (Ravi, Beas, Sutlej), its suspension of the treaty allows unrestricted use of western rivers for projects like hydropower. Pakistan has vowed to challenge the move internationally, calling it a breach of bilateral agreements. 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. First Published: 6 May 2025, 03:36 PM IST
Hindustan Times
06-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Pakistan says India choked Chenab water flow jeopardising early Kharif crop season
Amid fears of an escalation over the Pahalgam terror attack, Pakistan alleged that India has stopped the flow of water through the Chenab River by shutting down the gates of crucial dams. Following the terror attack in which 26 people – mostly tourists – were gunned down by terrorists in the picturesque Jammu and Kashmir town, India suspended the Indus Waters Treaty that governs the flow of water into Pakistan. Reacting to the move, Islamabad said any stoppage of water would be deemed an act of war. Muhammad Khalid Idrees Rana, spokesman for Pakistan's Indus River System Authority, told Bloomberg that India has reduced by almost 90% the usual volume it passes to Pakistan. He said Islamabad will be forced to slash water supplies to farms by a fifth if the flow remains curtailed. 'It's unprecedented,' Rana said, adding that India typically holds some water daily for electricity generation but releases it every few hours. Also read: Pahalgam terror attack: What envoys said after UNSC meeting called by Pakistan According to ANI, Indian authorities have closed all gates of the Baglihar Hydroelectric Power Project Dam on the Chenab River. All gates of Salal Dam on the river are also closed. However, to ensure that there is not a significant effect on the marine wildlife, as a routine act, bits of water are being released from only one gate of the Salal and Balighar dams. The Indus river system consists of Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Beas, Sutlej, whose usage rights were divided between India and Pakistan in the 1960 treaty. Pakistan depends on the river system to supply irrigation for the majority of their agriculture. Also read: Why MHA ordered nationwide mock drills on May 7. Key measures states must follow Meanwhile, Pakistan's Indus River System Authority (IRSA) advisory committee on Monday expressed deep concern over a sudden decrease in River Chenab inflows at Marala due to short supply by India. It said New Delhi's move will result in water shortages for early Kharif season. "Indus River System Authority Advisory Committee (IAC) reviewed the water situation for the remaining months of "Early Kharif" (May - Jun 10) Late Kharif (Jun 11 - Sep) season. It was noted with concern unanimously that sudden decrease in river Chenab inflows at Marala due to short supply by India would result in more shortages in the Early Kharif Season," the Indus River System Authority (IRSA) stated in a press release. Also read: India cuts off water flow to Pakistan from dam on river Chenab Pakistan may face a significant water shortage during the Kharif season due to reduced water supplies from India. "IAC declared an overall shortage of 21 per cent for the remaining Early Kharif Season in case supplies in River Chenab remain normal. However, the situation would be monitored daily, and if the decrease continues in "River Chenab", the shortages would be revisited accordingly. The Late Kharif Shortages are expected to be 7 per cent," it added. With inputs from ANI, Bloomberg
Time of India
05-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
21% water shortage expected for Kharif season in Pakistan after India puts Indus Treaty in abeyance
India's decision to keep the Indus River treaty in abeyance has caused alarm in Pakistan. The Indus River System Authority (IRSA) advisory committee on Monday expressed deep concern over a sudden decrease in River Chenab inflows at Marala due to short supply by India, which may result in a 21% water shortage in Pakistan during the early Kharif season. #Pahalgam Terrorist Attack Pakistan's economy has much more to lose than India's due to the ongoing tensions, warns Moody's Ratings The day Pakistan got the power to poke India FM Sitharaman meets ADB chief and Italian FM, discusses economic issues; no mention of Pakistan IRSA Advisory Committee meeting was held to approve the Anticipated Water Availability Criteria for the balance period of Kharif from May to September 2025 under the Chairmanship of Sahibzada Muhammad Shabir, Chairman IRSA at IRSA HQS Islamabad. "Indus River System Authority Advisory Committee (IAC) reviewed the water situation for the remaining months of "Early Kharif" (May - Jun 10) Late Kharif (Jun 11 - Sep) season. It was noted with concern unanimously that sudden decrease in river Chenab inflows at Marala due to short supply by India would result in more shortages in Early Kharif Season," the Indus River System Authority (IRSA) stated in a press release. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 9 years ago - Most beautiful twins. Their appearance today will shock you Novelodge Undo Pakistan may face a significant water shortage during the Kharif season due to reduced water supplies from India. "IAC declared an overall shortage of 21 per cent for the remaining Early Kharif Season in case supplies in River Chenab remains normal. However, the situation would be monitored daily and if the decrease continues in "River Chenab", the shortages would be revisited accordingly. The Late Kharif Shortages are expected to be 7 per cent," it added. Live Events Earlier, the water level in the Chenab River witnessed a significant drop in Akhnoor, Jammu and Kashmir, after the closure of gates at the Baglihar and Salal Dams. Locals expressed support for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's decision to put the Indus Waters Treaty on hold, which they believe has led to the decrease in water levels. Speaking to ANI, one of the locals exhorted that they do not want even a single drop of water to be supplied to Pakistan while extending support to the Indian Army and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. A local Kalyan Singh said, "Earlier, the Chenab River used to flow at a height of 25-30 feet, but now there is hardly 1.5-2 feet of water left here. This is because of PM Modi's decision to put the Indus Waters Treaty on do not want even a single drop of water to be supplied to Pakistan. We are all standing with the Indian Army and PM Modi..." The water shortage 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, the Treaty allows each country certain uses of the rivers allocated to the other. The treaty gives India 20% of the water from the Indus River System and the rest 80% 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. (ANI)
Time of India
05-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
21% water shortage expected for Kharif season in Pakistan after India puts Indus Treaty in abeyance
India's decision to keep the Indus River treaty in abeyance has caused alarm in Pakistan. The Indus River System Authority (IRSA) advisory committee on Monday expressed deep concern over a sudden decrease in River Chenab inflows at Marala due to short supply by India, which may result in a 21% water shortage in Pakistan during the early Kharif season. IRSA Advisory Committee meeting was held to approve the Anticipated Water Availability Criteria for the balance period of Kharif from May to September 2025 under the Chairmanship of Sahibzada Muhammad Shabir, Chairman IRSA at IRSA HQS Islamabad. "Indus River System Authority Advisory Committee (IAC) reviewed the water situation for the remaining months of "Early Kharif" (May - Jun 10) Late Kharif (Jun 11 - Sep) season. It was noted with concern unanimously that sudden decrease in river Chenab inflows at Marala due to short supply by India would result in more shortages in Early Kharif Season," the Indus River System Authority (IRSA) stated in a press release. Pakistan may face a significant water shortage during the Kharif season due to reduced water supplies from India. "IAC declared an overall shortage of 21 per cent for the remaining Early Kharif Season in case supplies in River Chenab remains normal. However, the situation would be monitored daily and if the decrease continues in "River Chenab", the shortages would be revisited accordingly. The Late Kharif Shortages are expected to be 7 per cent," it added. Earlier, the water level in the Chenab River witnessed a significant drop in Akhnoor, Jammu and Kashmir, after the closure of gates at the Baglihar and Salal Dams. Locals expressed support for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's decision to put the Indus Waters Treaty on hold, which they believe has led to the decrease in water levels. Speaking to ANI, one of the locals exhorted that they do not want even a single drop of water to be supplied to Pakistan while extending support to the Indian Army and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. A local Kalyan Singh said, "Earlier, the Chenab River used to flow at a height of 25-30 feet, but now there is hardly 1.5-2 feet of water left here. This is because of PM Modi's decision to put the Indus Waters Treaty on do not want even a single drop of water to be supplied to Pakistan. We are all standing with the Indian Army and PM Modi..." The water shortage 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, the Treaty allows each country certain uses of the rivers allocated to the other. The treaty gives India 20% of the water from the Indus River System and the rest 80% 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.
