Without prior notification, India has released water from the Jhelum River, a tributary of the Indus River, causing moderate flooding in parts of Pakistan-administered Kashmir.
Al Jazeera reported this information on Saturday (April 26th). According to the Qatar-based news outlet, the divisional administration of Muzaffarabad, the capital of Pakistan-administered Kashmir, stated in a brief statement that India is releasing more water than usual into the Jhelum River, leading to sudden flooding in the area.
A spokesperson for the Muzaffarabad administration said in the statement that the increased release of water by India into the Jhelum River has resulted in moderate flooding. Residents in the area have been instructed to remain vigilant.
Pakistani news outlet Dunya News reported that India began releasing a large quantity of water into the river on Saturday without informing Pakistan.
Subsequently, the water level in the Jhelum River rapidly increased. This water is entering Pakistan through Chakothi, originating from Anantnag in Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir.
Announcements were heard from mosques urging locals to be cautious about the flooding, creating panic among people living along the riverbanks.
The Jhelum River is a tributary of the Indus River, which flows between India and Pakistan. Amidst heightened tensions following a recent terrorist attack in Pehelgam in Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir, New Delhi has already suspended the Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan.
They have threatened to withhold even a drop of the Indus River's water from Pakistan. Conversely, Pakistan has stated that any attempt to block the Indus's flow would be considered an act of war, and they would respond with military action accordingly.
Bilawal Bhutto, a leader of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), has issued even stronger threats to India regarding the Indus River's water, saying that either water will flow through the Indus, or Indian blood will.
Earlier, on Tuesday (April 22nd), 26 people were killed in an attack by armed groups in Pehelgam in Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir.
Indirectly accusing Pakistan of involvement in the attack, India suspended the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty with the country on Wednesday.
Although India currently lacks the infrastructure to block the Indus River's flow, the country's Water Power Minister has stated that measures are being taken to halt the water flow.
He wrote on social media platform X that a roadmap has been prepared in a meeting with Home Minister Amit Shah. Three options were discussed in the meeting.
The government is working on short-term, medium-term, and long-term measures to ensure that not a single drop of water goes to Pakistan. Dredging work will be completed soon, and the river's flow will be diverted.
