A viral claim sparked widespread concern in Pakistan, claiming India triggered a devastating flood by withholding and then releasing large amounts of water from a dam. But is the truth behind the water conflict as dire as it seems?
Viral posts have claimed that India triggered a flood in Pakistan by withholding, then releasing, large amounts of water from a dam. However, DW Fact check has examined the details and found this claim to be false.
Floods are a natural disaster that occurs when water overflows onto land, causing damage to homes, infrastructure, and ecosystems.
Heavy rainfall, storm surges, and snowmelt are common causes of floods.
According to the United Nations, floods affect over 2 billion people worldwide each year, resulting in significant economic losses and displacement.
Prevention measures include flood-control structures, early warning systems, and sustainable land-use planning.
The sudden surge in water levels of ‘Jhelum River‘ in Pakistan’s Muzaffarabad and surrounding areas caused concern among residents. Locals shared photos and videos on social media, blaming neighboring ‘India’ for the flooding. The situation heightened fears of a broader military conflict between the two nuclear-armed nations.
India-Pakistan Water Conflict: What You Need to Know
Conflict over territory between India and Pakistan was intensified after an attack on tourists by five armed militants near Pahalgam in the Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir region, which killed 26 civilians on April 22, 2025. The incident is considered the deadliest event of its kind affecting India since the ‘Mumbai attacks‘ in 2008.
The India-Pakistan conflict has its roots in the partition of British India in 1947.
The two nations have been embroiled in several wars, including the Indo-Pakistani War of 1947, the Kashmir War in 1965, and the Kargil War in 1999.
According to a report by the South Asia Terrorism Portal, over 70,000 people have lost their lives in these conflicts since 1947.
The conflict is primarily centered around the disputed region of Kashmir, with both nations claiming sovereignty.
In retaliation for the terrorist attack in the contested Kashmir region, India had suspended the Indus Waters Treaty and said it would stop the flow of water into Pakistan. However, this claim has been disputed by Pakistan’s Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA).
Debunking the Flooding Claim
While there was more water than usual flowing through the riverbed on April 26, India did not stop or decrease the inflow of water into Pakistani rivers, according to a statement by ‘WAPDA’ . The video posted on social media showing water masses from a river flowing toward a parked car was recorded in Muzaffarabad in April 2025 and geolocated by DW Fact check.
The India-Pakistan water conflict dates back to the partition of British India in 1947.
The Indus Waters Treaty, signed in 1960, allocates waters from six rivers between the two countries.
However, disputes over the treaty's implementation and water sharing have persisted.
In 2019, Pakistan accused India of violating the treaty by constructing dams on the Chenab River, a key tributary of the Indus River.
The conflict highlights the complex hydro-politics between the two nations, with each side claiming sovereignty over their share of the waters.
Water levels in all rivers typically rise during this time of year due to snowmelt and rainfall in catchment areas. The amount of water in Pakistani rivers, coming upstream from India, is just about the daily average for the season, a ‘WAPDA spokesperson’ said. There was no flooding or damage caused by the water inflow in Jhelum River.
Limited Capacity of Indian Infrastructure
India does not have the kind of immediate infrastructure to halt the water flows, especially during flood times, according to Vagar Ahmed, an economist and team lead with UK consulting firm Oxford Policy Management. India did not inform Pakistan in advance about an increased inflow of water, which is required under the suspended Indus Waters Treaty.
The upstream ‘Uri dam’ is an Indian hydroelectric power station on Jhelum River. According to the Indus Waters Treaty, India was only allowed to build such a plant without significant storage or dams in the three rivers allocated to Pakistan — meaning there isn’t enough capacity to hold large amounts of water akin to water in a storage dam.
Conclusion
DW Fact check has found that the claim that India triggered a flood in Pakistan by withholding and then releasing large amounts of water from a dam is false. The situation highlights the need for better communication and cooperation between India and Pakistan on issues related to water sharing.
