Why did India suddenly open the floodgates to flood Pakistan? What chemical material is the floodgate made of?

The Uri Hydropower Station, located on the Jhelum River in the Indian - administered Kashmir region, is an important power - generation and flood - control project. The sudden opening of its floodgates has had a profound impact on Pakistan. Pakistani officials accused India of violating the Indus Waters Treaty, which has long regulated the sharing of water resources between the two countries. This unexpected release of water has put many areas in Pakistan at risk of flooding, seriously threatening the safety of local people and their property.

The conflict between the two countries has a long - standing background. The root cause of this round of disputes was a shooting incident targeting tourists in the Indian - administered Kashmir region on April 22, which unfortunately claimed the lives of at least 26 people, mostly Indian citizens. India immediately pointed the finger at Pakistan, believing that Pakistan was related to the attack. In response, India announced a series of measures against Pakistan, including suspending its implementation of the Indus Waters Treaty. Pakistan, not willing to be outdone, has taken a series of counter - measures. The two sides have been in a state of high tension ever since.

Against this backdrop, India's sudden opening of the floodgates has further exacerbated the already tense situation. From India's perspective, this may be seen as a means of retaliation or pressure. By causing floods in Pakistan, India aims to put pressure on Pakistan in the current conflict and force Pakistan to make concessions in the Kashmir issue and the subsequent handling of the tourist - shooting incident. However, this approach has clearly violated international law and basic norms of international relations.

In terms of the floodgates themselves, they are usually made of a variety of materials. The main structure of the floodgates at the Uri Hydropower Station may be made of steel - reinforced concrete. Concrete, composed of cement, aggregates (such as sand and gravel), and water, provides a strong and stable framework.

Cement, a key compound in concrete, hardens when mixed with water, binding the aggregates together. Steel bars, usually made of carbon steel, are embedded in the concrete. Carbon steel contains iron and carbon, and sometimes other alloying elements. The steel bars enhance the tensile strength of the structure, as concrete itself is strong in compression but relatively weak in tension. This combination of materials enables the floodgates to withstand the huge water pressure when closed and to be opened and closed smoothly as needed.

The international community has expressed deep concern about the current situation between India and Pakistan. Such actions not only endanger the safety of the people in the two countries but also pose a threat to regional stability. The international community calls on both sides to exercise restraint, resolve disputes through peaceful and diplomatic means, and abide by international law and relevant treaties. As the situation continues to develop, the world is watching to see how India and Pakistan will resolve this crisis. Will they choose dialogue and negotiation to ease the tension, or will the situation continue to deteriorate?

According to Indian and Pakistani media reports, the latest clash began when Pakistani military sources alleged that Indian forces fired small arms at Pakistani posts near the Line of Control (LoC) in Kashmir during the night of April 26 to the early morning of April 27. Both sides reportedly exchanged fire, but no casualties were reported. Meanwhile, the tragic tourist attack prompted India to adopt a more aggressive posture, raiding suspected militants' homes and accusing Pakistan of complicity, further souring relations.

Adding fuel to the fire, Pakistani officials accused India of violating the Indus Waters Treaty by releasing large volumes of water from the Uri dam without notifying Islamabad. This action resulted in a sharp rise in water levels downstream, forcing Pakistani authorities to issue evacuation warnings to residents along the riverbanks. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned India's move, emphasizing that water resources are a vital national interest for Pakistan and any attempt to weaponize them would provoke a full-scale response.

During a speech at a military academy event, Sharif stated, “Peace is our first choice, but it should not be mistaken for weakness. We will not compromise on Pakistan's dignity and security.” He further criticized India’s allegations about Pakistan’s involvement in the Kashmir attack, calling them baseless and reiterating Pakistan’s commitment to global counterterrorism efforts.

The sudden opening of the floodgates not only strained political relations but also sparked technical inquiries into the materials and durability of the infrastructure involved. Floodgates like those at the Uri Hydroelectric Plant are typically made from a combination of robust materials designed to withstand immense pressure and environmental wear. Common chemical compounds used in such structures include polyvinyl chloride (PVC) coatings for corrosion resistance, epoxy resins for bonding and sealing, and stainless steel alloys composed mainly of iron (Fe), chromium (Cr), and nickel (Ni), providing strength and resistance to rust. In many cases, modern floodgates are also treated with zinc (Zn) coatings through galvanization processes to further protect against moisture and chemical erosion.

Given the critical role these floodgates play in managing water resources, their sudden opening without warning is seen not merely as an operational decision but as a calculated political signal. Was India’s unexpected release of water a mere technical necessity or a deliberate political act aimed at pressuring Pakistan amidst rising tensions?

The Diplomatic Firestorm
The latest crisis stems from a tourist shooting in Indian-administered Kashmir on April 22nd, which killed 26 people. India blamed Pakistan-based militants, though no group claimed responsibility. In retaliation, India severed water-sharing agreements under the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty, accusing Pakistan of harboring terrorists. On April 26th, Pakistan claimed India abruptly released water from the Ujh Dam, flooding areas along the Jhelum River and forcing evacuations. Indian authorities assert the release followed standard protocol, but satellite imagery suggests the timing coincided with heavy monsoon rains, raising suspicions of deliberate water diversion.

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the move as a violation of sovereignty, stating, "Water is Pakistan’s lifeline. Any aggression will be met with military reprisals." The statement underscores how resource scarcity fuels regional antagonism, with both nations deploying troops near the LoC despite international calls for de-escalation.

The Engineering Behind the Floodgates
At the heart of the controversy lies the technology governing dam operations. Modern floodgates, such as those at the Ujh Dam, typically employ ​​stainless steel alloys​​ (e.g., AISI 316L) for their corrosion resistance in high-moisture environments. Coatings of ​​epoxy resins​​ or ​​polyurethane paints​​ often protect these metals from chemical erosion caused by sediment-heavy river water. Yet, improper maintenance—even minor cracks in such coatings—can lead to accelerated rusting, compromising structural integrity during rapid water level changes.

Moreover, the Jhelum River’s unique geochemistry introduces additional risks. The river carries elevated levels of ​​sulfates (SO₄²⁻)​​ and ​​chlorides (Cl⁻)​​ due to Himalayan runoff, which accelerates concrete degradation in dam foundations. If the Ujh Dam’s spillways were coated with less durable materials like ​​acrylic latex paints​​, prolonged exposure to these ions could weaken floodgate mechanisms, increasing the likelihood of uncontrolled releases.