Pakistan is grappling with a severe water crisis just ahead of the kharif sowing season.

The live storage in its key dams - Mangla and Tarbela - has dropped to critically low levels. Making matters worse, India has reportedly reduced Chenab river inflows following the Pahalgam terror attack, putting further strain on Pakistan’s irrigation needs.

The Indus River System Authority (IRSA) has declared a 21% overall water shortage and nearly 50% decline in live storage capacity in key dams.

Farming operations in Punjab and Sindh, which depend on the Indus river system, are now under serious threat. India has also suspended the sharing of water flow data with Pakistan after putting the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) in abeyance.

Though monsoon rains may bring temporary relief, Pakistan’s dependence on Indian-regulated rivers and its underdeveloped water infrastructure amplify the crisis, highlighting rising diplomatic tensions and their deepening impact on regional agriculture and stability.