The gates of two prominent dams on Chenab River in India were opened on Thursday, May 8—the Salal Dam at Reasi and the Baglihar Hydroelectric Power Project. Videos from the locations depicted three of the gates opened at the Salal Dam and two at the Baglihar Dam. It was reported by officials that they opened the gates to regulate rising water levels brought about by the heavy rainfall within the area.
The action, however, is taken when India is reviewing its water-sharing policy with Pakistan. The Indian government suspended the Indus Water Treaty recently after the Pahalgam terror attack that left 26 tourists dead in Kashmir’s Baisaran Valley.
Watch:
VIDEO | Ramban, Jammu and Kashmir: Multiple gates of Baglihar dam on #Chenab river opened after heavy rainfall in the region.#baglihardam
(Full video available on PTI Videos – https://t.co/n147TvrpG7) pic.twitter.com/kCokodVe1I
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) May 8, 2025
PM Modi Justifies Indus Treaty Suspension
The issue was raised by Prime Minister Narendra Modi publicly, stressing India’s right to its water resources.
“Nowadays, water is widely talked about in the media. Pehle Bharat ke haq ka paani bhi bahar ja raha tha… ab Bharat ka paani, Bharat ke haq mein bahega, Bharat ke haq mein rukega aur Bharat ke hi kaam aayega,” he added. (Earlier, the water in which India had a rightful claim was going out. Now, it will flow, remain, and be utilized in India’s interest.)
Pointing to the efforts of the government to end water scarcity and enhance irrigation facilities, PM Modi also mentioned big interlinking projects. “For years, our rivers’ waters had been an issue of conflict. Today, alongside state governments, we have started large-scale schemes to interlink rivers. The Ken-Betwa and Parvati-Kalisindh-Chambal link projects will help crores of farmers,” he said.
Operation Sindoor: India’s Retaliatory Strike
Along with diplomatic measures, India reacted militarily to the Pahalgam attack. Early on Wednesday morning, Indian forces conducted a coordinated attack under ‘Operation Sindoor’ on nine terrorist hideouts in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
The missile attacks targeted terror camps in Sialkot, Muridke, and Bahawalpur, while other hideouts in Muzaffarabad, Kotli, and Bhimber were also targeted. The operation was a joint effort by the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force, and reportedly killed several terrorists.
