A sudden surge in the Jhelum River has triggered widespread Pakistan floods, especially in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). Allegations claim that India floods Pakistan by releasing water from the Uri Dam without warning. This Jhelum water flood in Pakistan has caused panic in Muzaffarabad. It has also raised tensions between the two nations amid the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT). Here’s what you need to know about this escalating water crisis.
Jhelum Water Flood in Pakistan: What Happened?
On April 26, 2025, the Jhelum River in PoK saw a dramatic rise, with water levels increasing by three feet in Muzaffarabad. Pakistan floods prompted emergency warnings, with sirens and mosque announcements urging residents to evacuate. Areas like Hattian Bala, Chakothi, and Ghari Dupatta faced significant disruption, with locals scrambling to protect lives and livestock. Pakistani authorities blame India, claiming the Jhelum water flood in Pakistan resulted from unannounced water releases from India’s Uri Dam in Jammu and Kashmir.
India Floods Pakistan? The Allegations
Pakistan’s media and officials have accused India of “water terrorism,” alleging that India floods Pakistan intentionally following the suspension of the IWT on April 25, 2025. The treaty, which governs the Indus River system, was halted by India after the deadly Pahalgam terror attack, blamed on Pakistan-based terrorists. The lack of hydrological data sharing, a key IWT obligation, left Pakistan unprepared for the Pakistan floods. However, India has not officially responded, and some experts suggest natural ice melt in April may have contributed to the Jhelum surge.
Impact of Pakistan Floods on PoK
The Jhelum water flood in Pakistan has caused chaos in PoK, with flood warnings issued to avoid riverbanks and protect crops. While no major casualties have been reported, the Pakistan floods have heightened fears of agricultural losses and infrastructure damage, reminiscent of the devastating 2022 floods that submerged one-third of Pakistan. The Muzaffarabad administration continues to urge residents to seek safety as the water crisis unfolds.
India-Pakistan Water Tensions
Pakistan floods highlight the fragile state of India-Pakistan relations, with water becoming a flashpoint. The IWT, a rare success in bilateral cooperation, ensured water sharing for decades. Its suspension raises fears of a broader water crisis in Pakistan, especially as India plans to maximize the use of Jhelum, Chenab, and Indus waters. The Jhelum water flood in Pakistan could be a precursor to further conflicts if diplomatic solutions aren’t found.
As Pakistan floods dominate headlines, regional powers like Iran and Saudi Arabia are reportedly mediating to de-escalate tensions. Pakistan has called for a neutral probe into the Pahalgam attack, while India remains firm on its IWT stance. With the monsoon season approaching, the Jhelum water flood in Pakistan underscores the need for urgent dialogue to prevent a humanitarian and geopolitical crisis.
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