Pakistan alleges that India has severely restricted the flow of water across their shared border through the Chenab river, escalating concerns of a potential clash between the two neighboring countries. This claim comes amid rising tension in Kashmir following a recent deadly attack in the region.
According to Muhammad Khalid Idrees Rana, spokesman for Pakistan’s Indus River System Authority, the water flow has been throttled by nearly 90% of its usual volume since Sunday morning.
Pakistan had already projected a shortage of approximately a fifth in water supplies for its farms over the next two months before this reported curtailment.
The reduction in river flow has intensified fears of conflict between the two nations, adding another layer of dispute to their long-standing disagreements.
In response to the heightened situation, the UN Security Council urges India, Pakistan talks. The international body is calling for dialogue, particularly regarding the disputed Kashmir area, where tensions have flared.
This latest dispute over river water coincides with increased friction following a deadly attack in Kashmir. The incident has further strained relations between India and Pakistan, fueling the current anxieties.
The allegations regarding the river flow represent a direct challenge from Pakistan regarding India's management of shared water resources under existing treaties, contributing to the overall climate of distrust and high tensions.
