India shuts Salal dam gates, curbs Chenab flow to Pak in agri season

India on Monday closed the gates of the Salal dam on the Chenab river in Jammu and Kashmir’s Reasi district, significantly curtailing the flow of water downstream to Pakistan. This move comes as the Centre considers reviving some stalled projects along the Indus and its tributaries.

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In Pakistan, the Indus River System Authority (IRSA) expressed concern over the sudden decrease in water flow from the Chenab, which is affecting the ongoing kharif sowing season. The closure of the Salal dam gates follows similar restrictions due to the earlier shutdown of the Baglihar dam gates on the Chenab. The government is conducting de-silting operations at the two hydroelectric projects to enhance storage capacity and improve power generation efficiency.

These measures reflect India’s broader strategy to restrict water flow to Pakistan by altering the inflow into the Chenab, one of the three western rivers allocated to Pakistan under the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty (IWT).

Following a meeting on Monday, Pakistan’s IRSA issued a statement saying, “The IRSA Advisory Committee reviewed the water situation for the remaining months of the kharif season. It was noted with concern unanimously that the sudden decrease in the Chenab inflows at Marala due to short supply by India would result in more shortages in early kharif season. Keeping in view the crisis, it was decided that the use of reservoirs would be managed pragmatically to ensure intended supplies to provinces.”

The IRSA has projected an overall shortfall of 21 per cent for the remaining early kharif season if Chenab flows remain restricted and a 7 per cent shortage in the late kharif season.

India suspended the Indus Waters Treaty on April 23, a day after the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 persons. New Delhi is no longer obligated to inform Pakistan about water inflow status, and the unpredictability in water flow is expected to severely impact Pakistan’s agriculture-dependent economy.

Meanwhile, the Centre is also considering reviving stalled hydroelectric projects on the western rivers. Sources said a high-level meeting might be held this week to discuss proposals, including the 1,856 MW Sawalkot project, 1,320 MW Kirthai I and II projects, 800 MW Bursar project, 850 MW Ratle project and the 624 MW Kiru project.

Commenting on the suspension of the IWT, BJP leader Amit Malviya stated, “The implications for Pakistan are severe. With nearly 80 per cent of its cultivated land dependent on the Indus river system and agriculture contributing 23 per cent to its GDP, any disruption in water flow could result in food shortages, declining crop yields and rural economic distress. Its limited water storage capacity only worsens the crisis. Moreover, hydropower generation, critical to Pakistan’s energy needs, will also take a hit, compounding economic instability. This action sends a clear signal that India honours its international commitments but will not allow them to be weaponised against its own people. Reciprocity is the cornerstone of diplomacy, and when violated repeatedly, consequences must follow.”