Pakistan Faces Water Shortage as India Closes Baglihar Dam Gates on Chenab

In a significant escalation of tensions, India has restricted water flow to Pakistan by closing the Baglihar Hydroelectric Dam sluice gates on the Chenab River in Jammu and Kashmir. This action, reported on May 4, 2025, follows India’s suspension of the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty after the April 2025 Pahalgam terror attack, which killed 26 people. The Chenab, a critical water source for Pakistan’s agriculture and hydropower, is now at the center of a growing diplomatic and environmental crisis, with Pakistan warning of severe downstream impacts.

Impact on Pakistan’s Agriculture
The Chenab River irrigates vast farmlands in Pakistan’s Punjab province, a region often called the country’s breadbasket. The closure of Baglihar’s gates has reduced downstream flow by up to 90%, threatening crops like wheat, rice, and cotton. Farmers, already grappling with water scarcity, fear long-term damage to soil fertility and food security. Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif described the move as an act of “aggression,” warning that blocking water could lead to widespread hunger and ecological collapse in the region.

Geopolitical Ramifications
The Baglihar Dam has long been a point of contention, with Pakistan previously seeking World Bank arbitration over its construction. India’s decision to halt water flow and plans to restrict releases from the Kishanganga Dam on the Jhelum River signals a broader strategy to leverage water as a diplomatic tool. Pakistan has vowed to challenge the treaty’s suspension, labeling it an “act of war.” The move risks further destabilizing South Asia, where water-sharing disputes have historically fueled mistrust between the two neighbors.

Environmental and Humanitarian Concerns
Beyond agriculture, the reduced flow threatens ecosystems along the Chenab, endangering aquatic life and wetlands. Communities relying on the river for drinking water and fishing face immediate challenges. The timing, during the dry season, exacerbates the crisis, with reservoirs like Baglihar taking longer to fill. As tensions rise, the international community watches closely, urging dialogue to prevent a humanitarian disaster in an already volatile region.