Planning and Development Minister Ahsan Iqbal has accused India of “weaponising water” after sudden discharges from its dams triggered devastating floods across Punjab. Speaking on Geo News, he said India’s actions had submerged vast swathes of land along the Ravi, Sutlej, and Chenab rivers.
Iqbal, supervising relief efforts in Kartarpur, called the release of torrents the “worst example” of water aggression. He noted that India’s refusal to share timely information, as required under the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), endangered lives and livelihoods.
Severe Flooding and Rising Death Toll
Floods have already claimed at least seven lives in Gujranwala Division. The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has urged Sindh’s PDMA to begin evacuating vulnerable communities in low-lying riverine belts of the Indus and its tributaries.
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has directed commissioners and deputy commissioners to remain in the field, speed up relief operations, and restrict public access to flood zones. She also ordered urgent documentation of damage to homes and crops.
Rivers in Exceptionally High Flood Levels
According to the Provincial Disaster Management Authority and the Flood Forecasting Division, several rivers are flowing at dangerous levels.
Shahdara Headworks on the Ravi is experiencing a very high flood with outflows exceeding 160,000 cusecs.
The Chenab at Qadirabad recorded over 900,000 cusecs, while Khanki neared 800,000 cusecs, both under exceptionally high flood conditions.
Sutlej at Ganda Singh Wala is also facing exceptionally high flooding.
Jassar and Balloki headworks on the Ravi remain in high flood conditions.
Indus Waters Treaty Dispute
The minister linked India’s actions to its suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, a decades-old accord that requires both countries to share river data. Although India conveyed warnings through diplomatic channels, it bypassed the bilateral commission.
However, in June, the Permanent Court of Arbitration ruled that India could not unilaterally suspend the treaty. The court reaffirmed that neither side could undermine the arbitration process or the Neutral Expert’s authority.
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