India’s sudden Jhelum water release sparks panic in PoK
India’s sudden release of water from the Uri Dam into the Jhelum River caused panic and moderate flooding in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), particularly in the Hattian Bala district, forcing residents along the riverbanks to evacuate to safer areas. Local officials in Muzaffarabad and Chakoti sounded alarms and urged people to move away from the river due to the rapid rise in water levels. The surge led to reports of damage to crops and livestock losses in low-lying areas like Kohala and Dhalkot.
Pakistani authorities condemned the unannounced release as a violation of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), accusing India of “water terrorism” since the treaty requires prior notification of water releases to prevent downstream harm. India had suspended the IWT on April 23, citing the recent terror attack in Pahalgam that killed 26 people. Indian officials have neither confirmed nor denied the water release, though some Indian media claim it was a routine operation due to heavy rainfall in Jammu and Kashmir.
The incident has escalated tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbors, with Pakistani officials linking the water release to retaliation after the Pahalgam attack and warning of further regional instability. PoK authorities have mobilized rescue teams, set up temporary shelters, and urged residents to avoid riverbanks and fishing or grazing near the water. The situation highlights the fragile nature of India-Pakistan relations and the potential for water disputes to exacerbate existing conflicts.
The sudden water release from India’s Uri Dam into the Jhelum River caused flooding and panic in PoK, triggered evacuations, and heightened diplomatic tensions amid the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty.
