India Opens Baglihar Dam Gates As Chenab Swells Amid Heavy Rain, Reiterates Stand On Indus Treaty

Last Updated:July 07, 2026, 11:42 IST

Heavy rainfall forced the opening of three Baglihar Dam gates on the Chenab, even as India reaffirmed the Indus Waters Treaty will stay in abeyance over Pakistan-backed terror.

India on Monday opened three gates of the Baglihar Dam in Jammu and Kashmir’s Ramban district after the water level in the Chenab River rose significantly due to incessant rainfall in the Doda-Kishtwar region.

The development comes just days after New Delhi reiterated that the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) with Pakistan will remain in abeyance until Islamabad takes credible and irreversible steps to end its support for cross-border terrorism.

According to news agency ANI, authorities released water from the Baglihar Dam after heavy inflows into the Chenab prompted the opening of three gates.

The administration said it is continuously monitoring weather conditions and the river flow, with all concerned departments remaining on alert to respond to any emergency situation.

While the release of water was prompted by rising river levels following heavy rainfall, it comes against the backdrop of India’s continued stand that the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty will remain suspended in response to Pakistan’s support for cross-border terrorism.

Addressing the weekly media briefing on Friday, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal reiterated India’s position on the treaty.

“India’s position on the Indus Waters Treaty is consistent. IWT stands in abeyance in response to Pakistan’s continued sponsorship of cross-border terrorism. Pakistan must credibly and irrevocably abjure its support for cross-border terrorism," Jaiswal said.

India suspended the Indus Waters Treaty in 2025 as one of several punitive measures taken against Pakistan following the April 22, 2025 Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 lives.

The MEA also rejected the May 15, 2026 award of what it described as an “illegally constituted" Court of Arbitration (CoA) on issues relating to maximum pondage and treaty interpretation.

India has maintained that it has never recognised the court and considers all its proceedings and decisions “null and void."

The Baglihar Hydroelectric Power Project, located on the Chenab River in Ramban district, plays a significant role in hydroelectric power generation and water regulation in Jammu and Kashmir.

The Indus Waters Treaty, signed between India and Pakistan in 1960, governs the sharing of waters of the Indus river system.

Under the treaty, India has exclusive rights over the eastern rivers, Ravi, Sutlej and Beas, while Pakistan receives the waters of the western rivers, Indus, Jhelum and Chenab.

India also retains rights over the western rivers for domestic use, agriculture and run-of-the-river hydroelectric projects in accordance with the provisions of the agreement.

About the Author

Vani Mehrotra

Vani Mehrotra is the Deputy News Editor at News18.com. She has more than 10 years of experience in national and international news and has previously worked on multiple desks.

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