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The Indus: water and dams in the countries that dispute it

This page shows the basin in China, India, Afghanistan and Pakistan; the Indus Waters Treaty dispute is between India and Pakistan. Across Pakistan, 78% of renewable water comes from other countries (FAO AQUASTAT, 2023); Global Dam Watch lists 37 large dams on the river and its main tributaries in these countries.

Source: WRI Aqueduct, accessed on 25 Oct 2026, aqueduct.wri.org (CC BY 4.0)2023Updated 25 Oct 2026

The Indus Waters Treaty dispute is between India and Pakistan. India and Pakistan signed the Indus Waters Treaty on 19 September 1960, with the World Bank as a signatory. Under the treaty, the eastern rivers (Ravi, Beas and Sutlej) are for India's use and the western rivers (Indus, Jhelum and Chenab) for Pakistan's, with some uses allowed to India. India said on 23 April 2025 that it would hold the treaty in abeyance, that is, suspend it for the time being. Pakistan's National Security Committee said on 24 April 2025 that it rejected India's step and that one side could not suspend the treaty.

Drafted with AI from cited sources and reviewed by the editor

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Water stress in the countries that dispute the river
Under 10%10–20%20–40%40–80%Over 80%
Not in this dispute
Large dam (size: reservoir capacity)

Borders show who controls an area in practice, as drawn by Natural Earth. Disputed borders are dashed. Borders shown do not imply endorsement. How we treat borders

The Indus: water and damsWater stress in the countries that dispute the river

Countries in the dispute

Each country’s water stress on WRI Aqueduct’s 1979–2019 baseline and projected for 2050, the share of its renewable water that flows in from other countries (FAO AQUASTAT), and its large dams on the Indus and main tributaries (Global Dam Watch). Listed roughly upstream first.
CountryWater stress, 1979–2019Projected water stress, 2050Renewable water from abroad, 2023Dams on the river
China2.82.81%0
India4.14.031%7
Afghanistan3.43.629%2
Pakistan3.83.778%28

Source: WRI Aqueduct, accessed on 25 Oct 2026, aqueduct.wri.org (CC BY 4.0)baseline 1979–2019; projection 2050Updated 25 Oct 2026

Source: FAO AQUASTAT2023Updated 25 Oct 2026

Source: Global Dam WatchUpdated 25 Oct 2026

Dams in Global Dam Watch

The 37 dams in Global Dam Watch on the Indus and its main tributaries in these countries, largest reservoir first.
TarbelaIndusPakistan13.9 km³1976
Bhakra DamSutlujIndia9.6 km³1963
ManglaJhelumPakistan9.1 km³1967
Pong DamBeasIndia8.6 km³1974
Thein DamRaviIndia3.7 km³2000
Gomal ZamWanaPakistan1.4 km³2013
ChashmaIndusPakistan1.1 km³1971
KoldamSutlejIndia576 million m³2015
NaghluKabulAfghanistan500 million m³1968
BagliharChenabIndia475 million m³2009
SulemankiSutlejPakistan327 million m³1927
SalalChinabIndia285 million m³1986
QadirabadChenabPakistan178 million m³1968
Nai GajDaduPakistan172 million m³2022
BallokiRaviPakistan166 million m³-99
JinnahIndusPakistan157 million m³-99
DarawatNai BaranPakistan150 million m³2013
Allai KkwarAllai KhwarPakistan150 million m³2013
RasulJhelumPakistan132 million m³1967
KhanpurHaroPakistan132 million m³1983
BaranBaranPakistan121 million m³1962
SatparaSatparPakistan115 million m³2011
DaruntaKabulAfghanistan113 million m³1963
TandaKohat ToiPakistan97 million m³1967
MaralaChenabPakistan93 million m³1968
IslamSutlejPakistan91 million m³-99
WarsakKabulPakistan77 million m³1960
RawalKorangPakistan59 million m³1962
SimlySoanPakistan36 million m³1982
NamalGolarPakistan28 million m³1913
FerozepurSutlejIndia24 million m³-99
TrimmuChenabPakistan-99 million m³1939
PunjnadChenabPakistan-99 million m³1929
GudduIndusPakistan-99 million m³1962
SukkurIndusPakistan-99 million m³1932
Kotri BarrageIndusPakistan-99 million m³1955
Taunsa BarrageIndusPakistan-99 million m³1958

Source: Global Dam Watch (GRanD)Updated 25 Oct 2026

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