India Cutting Chenab’s Supply Will Increase Water Shortage & Impact Crops, Accepts Pakistan
The ongoing dispute between India and Pakistan over the Indus Waters Treaty has taken a new turn, with Pakistan’s Indus River System Authority (IRSA) accepting that any reduction in the flow of the Chenab River by India would increase water shortages across the country. According to IRSA, this move would also have a significant impact on kharif crops, which are already expected to face a shortage of 21% for the remaining early kharif season.
The Indus Waters Treaty, signed in 1960, governs the sharing of the waters of the Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab rivers among India, Pakistan, and Afghanistan. However, tensions between the two countries have been escalating in recent years, with India’s decision to construct dams and hydropower projects on the rivers at the center of the dispute.
Pakistan’s concerns over the reduction in the flow of the Chenab River, which is one of the six rivers that flow into Pakistan under the Indus Waters Treaty, have been growing in recent weeks. In a statement, IRSA claimed that if India were to cut the flow of the Chenab River, it would have far-reaching consequences for water availability in Pakistan.
“Any reduction in the flow of the Chenab River would lead to a significant increase in water shortages across the country,” IRSA stated. “This would have a direct impact on the kharif crops, which are already estimated to face a shortage of 21% for the remaining early kharif season. In addition, water shortages in the late kharif season are estimated to be 7%.”
The IRSA’s warning comes at a time when Pakistan is already facing a severe water crisis. The country’s water resources are under immense pressure due to a combination of factors, including rapid population growth, climate change, and inefficient irrigation systems.
Pakistan’s water crisis is not limited to the agricultural sector. The country’s rapidly growing population is putting a strain on urban water supplies, with many cities facing acute water shortages. According to the World Bank, Pakistan’s water crisis is expected to worsen in the coming years, with the country facing a water shortage of up to 30 million acre-feet by 2025.
The dispute over the Indus Waters Treaty has been ongoing for several years, with both countries accusing each other of violating the treaty. In 2016, India’s decision to construct the Baglihar Dam on the Chenab River sparked a major controversy, with Pakistan accusing India of violating the treaty.
Since then, tensions have continued to escalate, with both countries engaging in a series of diplomatic disputes and threatening each other with retaliatory measures. In recent weeks, Pakistan has been warning of the consequences of India’s actions, including the possibility of war.
In a statement, Pakistan’s Foreign Office said that India’s actions were “a serious violation of the Indus Waters Treaty and a threat to regional peace and stability.” The statement warned that Pakistan would take all necessary measures to protect its rights under the treaty and would not hesitate to take retaliatory measures if necessary.
India, on the other hand, has maintained that its actions are in compliance with the treaty and have been designed to improve the country’s energy security. In a statement, India’s Ministry of External Affairs said that Pakistan’s concerns were “baseless and unfounded” and that the country was using the treaty as an excuse to divert attention from its own internal water management issues.
The dispute over the Indus Waters Treaty is not just about water, it is also about national pride and sovereignty. For Pakistan, the treaty is seen as a symbol of the country’s independence and sovereignty, while for India, it is seen as a necessary step towards improving the country’s energy security.
The consequences of the dispute are far-reaching, with both countries facing significant economic and social costs. For Pakistan, the dispute could lead to a significant decline in agricultural production, while for India, it could lead to a decline in energy production and a rise in power costs.
In conclusion, the dispute over the Indus Waters Treaty is a complex and highly charged issue that has far-reaching consequences for both India and Pakistan. While Pakistan’s IRSA has accepted that any reduction in the flow of the Chenab River would increase water shortages and impact crops, the dispute is not just about water, it is also about national pride and sovereignty.
As the dispute continues to escalate, it is essential that both countries engage in constructive dialogue and work towards a peaceful resolution. The consequences of not doing so could be severe, with both countries facing significant economic and social costs.
