India initiates hydroelectric projects following the suspension of the treaty with Pakistan, according to sources.

India has initiated efforts to enhance reservoir capacity at two hydroelectric dams in the Himalayan region of Kashmir, according to individuals familiar with the situation, following renewed tensions with Pakistan that prompted the suspension of a water-sharing agreement.

The initiative signifies India’s initial concrete action to function independently of the stipulations outlined in the Indus Waters Treaty, which has remained intact since 1960 despite three wars and several other disputes between the nuclear-capable adversaries.

Last month, New Delhi halted the agreement that guarantees supply to 80% of Pakistani farms following an incident in Kashmir that resulted in 26 fatalities, identifying two of the three gunmen as Pakistani nationals.

Islamabad has threatened to pursue international legal action about the suspension and has denied involvement in the attack, cautioning that “Any attempt to halt or redirect the flow of water belonging to Pakistan … will be regarded as an act of war.”

The “reservoir flushing” procedure to eliminate silt commenced on Thursday, executed by India’s largest hydroelectric corporation, the state-owned NHPC Ltd, in conjunction with officials from the federal territory of Jammu and Kashmir, according to three sources.

The project may not pose an immediate risk to Pakistan’s supply, which relies on rivers originating in India for a significant portion of its irrigation and hydropower, but it could ultimately be impacted if similar initiatives are undertaken elsewhere.

There are around seven such projects in the region.

India did not notify Pakistan on the activities at the Salal and Baglihar projects, which are being undertaken for the first time since their construction in 1987 and 2008/09, respectively, due to treaty restrictions on such endeavours, the sources indicated.

They talked under the condition of anonymity as they were not permitted to communicate with the media.

NHPC of India and the adjacent governments did not respond to Reuters’ emails for comments.

Since gaining independence from British colonial authority in 1947, India and Pakistan have engaged in two of their three wars over Kashmir, along with several brief clashes.

The flushing procedure occurred over three days, commencing on May 1, according to sources.

“This marks the inaugural occurrence of such an exercise, which will enhance power generation efficiency and mitigate turbine damage,” a source informed Reuters.

The insider stated, “We were instructed to open the adjustable gates for cleaning, which we commenced on May 1,” noting that the initiative sought to eliminate any constraints on dam operations.

Inhabitants residing along the Chenab River on the Indian side of Kashmir reported observing the release of water from both the Salal and Baglihar dams from Thursday to Saturday.

FREE WILL

The flushing of hydropower projects necessitates virtually depleting a reservoir to expel sediments, which significantly contribute to reduced output.

According to two sources, the electricity output from the 690-MegaWatt Salal project was far below its potential due to Pakistan’s obstruction of flushing, while sedimentation adversely affected the performance of the 900-MW Baglihar plant.

“Flushing is infrequent due to its significant contribution to water wastage,” stated one of the sources. “Downstream nations are anticipated to be notified should it result in any flooding.”

The development of both projects necessitated considerable negotiation with Pakistan, which is concerned about forfeiting its water allocation.

According to the 1960 treaty, which delineated the Indus and its tributaries between the two nations, India also provided data regarding hydrological flows at various locations along the rivers traversing its territory and issued flood alerts.

India’s water minister has pledged to “guarantee that no drop of the Indus river’s water flows to Pakistan”.

Government officials and experts from both parties assert that India cannot instantly halt water flows, as the treaty permits it solely to construct hydropower facilities without substantial storage dams on the three rivers designated to Pakistan.

The suspension allows India to “pursue our projects at our discretion,” stated Kushvinder Vohra, a recently retired head of India’s Central Water Commission, who has considerable experience with Indus issues involving Pakistan.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government has sought to renegotiate the treaty in recent years and the archfoes have tried to settle some of their differences at the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague.

These issues are to the dimensions of the water storage capacity of the Kishenganga and Ratle hydropower facilities in the region.