Tensions between India and Pakistan have deepened once again as India has nearly stopped sharing vital river flow data with Pakistan, a move seen as another serious violation of the Indus Waters Treaty. According to recent reports, India is no longer providing the detailed flow measurements—particularly the mandatory discharge in cusecs, that it is required to share under the decades-old water-sharing agreement.
Instead of supplying accurate and timely data, India now only informs Pakistan whether the incoming floodwater level is “high” or “low.” This limited information falls far short of what the treaty demands and significantly undermines Pakistan’s ability to prepare for floods, manage water resources, and protect vulnerable communities.
Officials from Pakistan’s Ministry of Water Resources have raised serious concerns about India’s abrupt shift in communication. They revealed that India has stopped using the official channel, the office of the Indus Water Commissioner, to share information. Instead, New Delhi is routing communication through diplomatic channels such as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Pakistan considers this a clear and deliberate breach of the treaty’s established procedures.
The lack of accurate river data has forced Pakistan to rely heavily on satellite imagery to monitor water flows in the shared rivers. However, these images come with an estimated 25% margin of error. Such inaccuracies can drastically affect flood forecasting and risk assessment, increasing the threat of damage to lives, crops, and infrastructure.
According to Pakistan’s Foreign Office, communication between the two countries had already been strained since May due to rising tensions. India contacted Pakistan only in August and September, sending 18 notifications between August 24 and September 10. Despite these communications, officials say the information provided was incomplete and lacked essential technical details.
Experts warn that India’s reluctance to share river data could escalate water-related challenges for Pakistan, particularly during monsoon seasons when timely and precise information is critical. The move also raises broader questions about the future of the Indus Waters Treaty, widely regarded as one of the world’s most successful water-sharing agreements.
As Pakistan continues to press for full compliance, the dispute highlights the growing fragility of an already delicate relationship between the two nuclear-armed neighbors.
