Opens dam without warning, floods in Pakistan; says India's revenge for Pahalgam terror attack

NEW DELHI: Pakistan has accused India of releasing the Uri dam without warning as part of retaliation for the Pahalgam terror attack. Pakistan has subsequently reported flooding in the Jhelum River. Water has entered various areas in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. There are also reports that local residents have been evacuated.

We were not warned. Local residents said that they are struggling to save lives and property after the unexpected flood. Local authorities in Muzaffarabad, the capital of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and Chakoti have issued emergency alerts. Directions were given through loudspeakers to evacuate residents as the water level has risen.

The public has been advised to evacuate from areas near the Jhelum River. Residents have been advised to avoid going to the river banks and not to fish. Flooding occurred in low-lying areas of Kohala and Dalkot. There are also reports of damage to livestock and agricultural produce. Pakistani officials said that the scale of the crisis following the opening of the dam is very large.

Meantime, Pakistan has accused India of waging a water war. It has also criticized India's action as a violation of international norms and the Indus Water Treaty. However, India has not yet responded to Pakistan's allegations. There are reports that water was released from the dam following heavy rains in Jammu and Kashmir.