Pakistani authorities on Friday formally engaged with their Indian counterparts seeking an explanation for an “extraordinary reduction” in the Chenab River’s water flow, a situation believed to be linked to the emptying and subsequent refilling of the Baglihar reservoir in India, according to an official statement.

Hydrological data from the Punjab Irrigation Department revealed a severe drop in the river’s discharge at the Marala headworks between December 10 and December 16, 2025. During this period, the flow plummeted to a low of 870 cusecs, a stark contrast to the historical 10-year minimum range of approximately 4,018 to 4,406 cusecs for those dates.

An assessment based on satellite imagery from December 8 and December 13 suggests a significant decrease followed by an increase in the Baglihar reservoir”s surface area. This observation has led officials to believe the reservoir was emptied and then refilled. The statement clarifies that under the Indus Waters Treaty, India is prohibited from emptying the dead storage of run-of-river hydroelectric plants on the Western Rivers.

In response to these findings, Pakistan’s Commissioner for Indus Waters has officially contacted the Indian Commissioner for Indus Waters, requesting detailed data and information related to the sharp decline in the Chenab”s flows under the treaty”s framework.

A positive development in the river”s hydrology was observed beginning December 17, as the water level began to rise steadily. By that morning, the discharge had recovered to 6,399 cusecs, re-entering the normal historical range for the first time since the mid-month reduction.

As of December 19, official data confirms that river flows, with recent readings at 4,505 cusecs and 6,494 cusecs, are within the expected ten-year range. Continuous monitoring remains in effect to adapt to any future fluctuations. The office of the Pakistan Commissioner for Indus Waters has emphasized that it is the sole authoritative source for information on this matter.