Water flow in River Chenab stabilising: ministry
Pakistan has formally contacted India over its water aggression, seeking explanation of an unusual reduction in the flows at the River Chenab.
"Pakistan seeks explanation from India over the unusual reduction in River Chenab flows," Office of the Pakistan Commissioner for Indus Waters said in a statement on Friday.
After a short but intense confrontation between Pakistan and India in May this year, New Delhi unilaterally suspended the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), a World Bank mediated water sharing agreement signed by the two rivals in 1960.
Under the IWT, the three eastern rivers — the River Beas, the River Ravi and the River Sutlej — were allocated to India while the three western rivers — the River Indus, the River Chenab and the River Jhelum — were allocated to Pakistan.
According to the statement, hydrological records from the first half of December confirm that an extraordinary reduction in flows was observed at the River Chenab, persisting from December 10 to December 16.
During this window, the river flow frequently dropped and the lowest flow observed was 870 cusecs, which was significantly below the historical 10-year minimum range of approximately 4,018 to 4,406 cusecs for those dates.
"In order to assess the reason for extraordinary reduction in flows of the Chenab Main at Marala, a significant reduction in surface area of Baglihar has been observed on a satellite imagery of December 8, 2025 which was increased as per the imagery of December 13, 2025," it said.
Baglihar Hydroelectric Power Project on the River Chenab in Ramban area of held Kashmir is a significant run-of-the-river dam known for providing power but also as a point of geopolitical tension between India and Pakistan due to the IWT implications and water management.
According to the statement, this reduction followed by increase in the surface area of Baglihar reservoir "leads to believe that India has emptied Baglihar reservoir followed by its refilling".
It clarified that according to the IWT, India cannot empty the dead storage of the reservoirs of the run-of-river hydroelectric plants developed on the Western Rivers.
The statement said the Pakistan Commissioner for Indus Waters has taken up the matter with the Indian Commissioner for Indus Waters.
"[The commissioner has] asked for the details/data relating to extraordinary reduction in flows of the Chenab River, under the framework of the IWT," it said.
The statement said Pakistan noted a noticeable improvement in Chenab flows from December 17. It added that continuous monitoring of the River Chenab is underway by the Irrigation Department.
"Stability has returned after an unusual decline in water flow in the River Chenab," it said, adding that water flows at Marala are returning to the normal range.
A positive shift in river hydrology began on December 17, as the river flow began to rise steadily. By 07:00 hrs on the 17th, the flow reached 6,399 cusecs, effectively entering the historical ten-year range for the first time since the mid-month decline.
Punjab Irrigation Department data indicates that as of December 19, the river flows are presently within the last ten-year range of maximum to minimum flows. The department is officially monitoring the Chenab River flow at Maralaexcluding Jammu and Manawar Tawi.
It said the monitored data is shared by the Irrigation Department with the office of the Pakistan Commissioner for Indus Waters.
"The data so received indicates that the discharge of the River Chenab (mainstem) has successfully stabilised following a significant period of volatility.
"For instance, recent readings on December 19 show flows of 4,505 cusecs and 6,494 cusecs, which align with or exceed historical expectations for this time of year."
It said continuous monitoring will remain in effect to ensure that water management strategies adapt to any future fluctuations.