India releases surge of water into Chenab, threatens Pakistan’s wheat crop
Unannounced release raises fears of water terrorism amid IWT tensions
Islamabad: India has released a sudden surge of water into the Chenab River, raising the flow to 58,300 cusecs and sparking serious concerns in Pakistan over the security of its agricultural sector.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the water flow at Marala was earlier 31,000 cusecs, 17,000 at Khanki, 11,000 at Qadirabad, and 11,000 at Trimmu. Officials from Pakistan’s Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) said moderate rises had been expected, but India’s unannounced release has significantly disrupted river levels.
Observers in Pakistan warn that the sudden surge threatens standing wheat crops in the country’s breadbasket regions, posing a direct risk to food security and livelihoods dependent on irrigation. The move comes amid concerns that India is using water management as a geopolitical tool, undermining cooperation outlined in the Indus Waters Treaty.
“The upstream releases, combined with India’s unilateral suspension of treaty provisions, exacerbate Pakistan’s agricultural vulnerabilities,” officials said. “Irrigation patterns have been disrupted, placing millions at risk of crop loss and economic instability.”
Pakistan has strongly condemned the action, terming it “water terrorism” and warning that unpredictable water flows from Indian dams could have long-term implications for wheat production, regional food security, and the broader economy. Analysts say the release highlights New Delhi’s continued disregard for prior communication and transparency in managing shared water resources.
With India expected to refill the dams in the coming days, the Chenab’s flow could reduce to zero, further destabilising Pakistan’s agricultural output.
