India Begins Hydro Projects After Pausing Treaty with Pakistan

• Sources indicate that sediment removal has commenced at two facilities.
• India halted the water-sharing agreement following an attack in Pahalgam.
• India undertook the projects without notifying Pakistan, according to sources.

India has started efforts to enhance the reservoir capacity at two hydroelectric facilities located in Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). This move follows heightened tensions with Pakistan that resulted in the suspension of a water-sharing treaty, as reported by sources familiar with the developments.

This initiative marks India’s initial concrete action to operate beyond the agreements established by the Indus Waters Treaty, which has remained intact since 1960 despite numerous conflicts between the two nuclear-armed nations.

Last month, following an attack in IIOJK that killed 26 individuals—two of whom were identified as Pakistani—the Indian government suspended the treaty that secures water supply for 80% of Pakistan’s agricultural lands.

Pakistan has threatened to pursue international legal action against this suspension and has denied involvement in the attack, warning that “any attempt to halt or divert water belonging to Pakistan will be perceived as an act of war.”

On Thursday, a “reservoir flushing” initiative aimed at sediment removal began, carried out by India’s largest hydropower provider, the state-run NHPC Ltd, and local authorities in IIOJK, according to three undisclosed sources.

While this work may not pose an immediate threat to Pakistan’s water supply—crucial for its irrigation and hydropower needs—it could eventually cause impacts if similar projects follow suit.

The region hosts over seven such projects.

India did not inform Pakistan about the activities at the Salal and Baglihar projects, which represent the first significant work done at these sites since their construction in 1987 and 2008/09, respectively, as the treaty had previously restricted such undertakings.

Those providing information requested anonymity as they were not authorized to speak publicly.

The NHPC and local governments did not respond to inquiries from Reuters.

The flushing operation lasted three days beginning May 1, the sources indicated.

“This is the first time such a procedure has taken place, and it will enhance power generation efficiency while protecting the turbines from damage,” one source noted.

“We were also instructed to open the adjustable gates for cleaning, which we initiated on May 1,” the source added, explaining that the effort aims to liberate dam operations from restrictions.

Residents along the banks of the Chenab River in IIOJK reported noticeable water flow from both Salal and Baglihar dams between Thursday and Saturday.

‘Free Will’

The flushing process involves nearly emptying a reservoir to expel sediments that significantly reduce output. For instance, sources indicated that the 690-MW Salal project was underperforming due to sediment build-up because Pakistan had obstructed flushing processes. The same issues afflicted the 900-MW Baglihar project.

“Flushing is not a routine activity as it can result in considerable water waste,” remarked one source. “Downstream nations should be informed as it may lead to flooding.”

Constructing both facilities necessitated extensive negotiations with Pakistan, which is concerned about preserving its water share.

According to the 1960 treaty that allocated the Indus River and its tributaries, India was obliged to share data regarding hydrological flows and issue flood alerts.

India’s water minister has asserted the intention to “ensure that no drop of the Indus River’s water reaches Pakistan.”

Officials and experts from both countries agree that India cannot immediately halt water flows, as the treaty only permits it to develop hydropower projects without allowing substantial storage dams on rivers designated for Pakistan.

The treaty’s suspension now allows India to “pursue our projects at our discretion,” stated Kushvinder Vohra, a recently retired head of India’s Central Water Commission who was extensively involved in Indus-related disputes with Pakistan.

In recent years, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s administration has sought to renegotiate the treaty, and both nations have attempted to address their disputes through the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, which includes concerns regarding the water storage capacity at the Kishenganga and Ratle hydroelectric plants.