India Completely Stops Ravi River Flow to Pakistan

Media reports indicate that India has stopped the flow of water from the Ravi River into Pakistan following the completion of the Shahpur Kandi barrage on the border of Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir. Pakistani media outlets criticize the move as “water terrorism” and a violation of the Indus Waters Treaty spirit.

India has halted the flow of Ravi River water to Pakistan following the completion of the Shahpur Kandi Barrage. This move is apparently the strategic water management by India. The barrage, situated in Punjab’s Pathankot district, faced delays over three decades but will now allow India to retain 1,150 cusecs of water previously destined for Pakistan.

The redirected water will now be used for irrigation in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kathua and Samba districts, benefiting agriculture and hydropower generation. This development marks a significant shift under the 1960 Indus Water Treaty, granting India greater control over the Ravi, Sutlej, and Beas rivers while Pakistan retains access to the Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab rivers.

The Shahpur Kandi Barrage project, initiated in 1995 by former Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao, faced obstacles due to disputes between the Jammu and Kashmir and Punjab governments. However, with intervention from the central government in 2018, the project resumed.

In addition to Shahpur Kandi, India has undertaken various water management projects, including the construction of storage facilities like Bhakra Dam on the Sutlej River and Pong and Pandoh Dam on the Beas River. Projects like the Beas-Sutlej link and the Indira Gandhi Nahar project have enabled India to utilize nearly all water from eastern rivers.

Water Terrorism In The Region

While India claims the project falls within its allocated rights under the treaty, Pakistan has expressed concerns that the complete stoppage of water flow could violate the agreement and affect its water security, potentially impacting agriculture and livelihoods.

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Earlier, addressing the UN Security Council, Pakistan Permanent Representative in the United Nations Ambassador Munir Akram said Pakistan aims to reinvigorate the Indus River basin which provides food security to over 225 million people.

Pakistan has called for strict implementation of the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty to address the looming water crisis. He said that to this end, Pakistan has launched the multi-dimensional Living Indus projects.