India has answered Pakistan’s nuclear threats over water disputes with a powerful and unexpected move. Rather than cutting off water flow to the Indus River outright, India turned the tables by releasing it — flooding parts of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. This bold action comes in response to the recent Pahalgam terrorist attack and serves as a serious warning.

Without prior notice, India opened the gates of the Uri Dam, unleashing a surge into the Jhelum River. This sudden flood submerged several areas under Pakistani control, causing widespread panic. Authorities were forced to evacuate residents from low-lying regions, urging them to stay clear of riverbanks as water levels rose rapidly. 

This marks India's first significant measure since freezing the Indus Waters Treaty. Alongside intensifying its diplomatic offensive against Pakistan, the decision to open the dam adds further pressure. Areas like Kohala and Dhalkot were hit hard, with villagers scrambling to save lives and property. "There was no warning. The river rose suddenly, and now we're battling to protect what we can," said Mohammad Asif from Dumel village, located along the river’s edge.

Emergency warnings have been issued in places like Muzaffarabad and Chakoti as the Jhelum continues to swell. Pakistan-occupied Kashmir's administration has accused India of deliberately flooding the region in violation of international water-sharing agreements. India has yet to officially comment, but sources indicate the dam’s release may have coincided with heavy rainfall in Jammu and Kashmir — citing operational necessity.

Experts warn that if India systematically restricts water flow under the Indus treaty, Pakistan's agriculture-dependent economy could face total collapse. Agriculture forms a large portion of Pakistan’s GDP, and any severe water shortage would cripple farming activity, pushing the country deeper into economic disaster — something it can ill afford right now.

Fearing this, Pakistan has resorted to nuclear saber-rattling in an attempt to intimidate India. Meanwhile, India is evaluating both immediate and long-term strategies to control water flow. The latest flooding demonstrates that even simply managing dam operations can inflict significant damage, leaving Pakistan vulnerable.

Source: News Agencies