Pakistan Minister Blames India For Floods, Makes Bizarre 'Dead Bodies In Water' Claim

In the midst of a devastating flood crisis in Pakistan, a controversial statement by Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif has sparked widespread debate and criticism. During a visit to the flood-affected region of Sialkot, Asif alleged that India was responsible for the flooding, claiming that floodwaters from India carried dead bodies, livestock, and debris into Pakistan. This inflammatory claim has drawn sharp reactions, particularly as Pakistan grapples with one of its worst flooding disasters in decades. This blog examines the context of the minister’s statement, the ongoing flood crisis, the India-Pakistan water dynamics, and the public response to these allegations.

The Flood Crisis in Pakistan

Pakistan has been reeling from severe flooding triggered by torrential monsoon rains since late June 2025. The floods have caused unprecedented devastation, particularly in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces. According to reports:

• Over 800 people, including nearly 200 children, have lost their lives, with the death toll expected to rise as rescue operations continue.
• More than 1.2 million people have been affected, with nearly 250,000 displaced and over 1,400 villages inundated across the Ravi, Sutlej, and Chenab rivers.
• The flooding in Punjab is described as the worst in nearly 40 years, with significant damage to crops, infrastructure, and homes.

The scale of the disaster has overwhelmed relief efforts, with washed-out roads and ongoing rainfall hampering rescue operations. The Pakistani government has launched large-scale evacuation drives, setting up nearly 700 relief camps and 265 medical centers to support survivors.

The Minister’s Controversial Claim

While visiting flood-hit areas in Sialkot, a city downstream from water channels originating in India’s Jammu region, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif made a startling accusation. He claimed that floodwaters flowing from India brought not only debris and livestock but also dead bodies into Pakistan, complicating municipal drainage efforts. Asif stated that local residents reported seeing corpses swept across the border, attributing the flooding to water releases from Indian dams.

These claims, reported by Pakistani media outlet Dialogue Pakistan, have been met with skepticism and ridicule, particularly on social media. Critics argue that Asif’s allegations are an attempt to deflect attention from the Pakistani government’s shortcomings in flood preparedness and infrastructure management.

India-Pakistan Water Dynamics and the Indus Waters Treaty

The minister’s accusations come against the backdrop of strained India-Pakistan relations, particularly concerning water management. The Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), a 1960 agreement brokered by the World Bank, governs the sharing of rivers between the two nations. However, India suspended the treaty following a terror attack in Pahalgam on April 22, 2025, halting the exchange of hydrological data through the Indus Commission.

Despite the suspension, India issued multiple flood alerts to Pakistan in August 2025, citing humanitarian concerns. These alerts, sent through diplomatic channels, warned of potential flooding due to heavy rainfall and water releases from overflowing dams like the Thein Dam and Madhopur Dam on the Ravi River. Pakistani officials, including Asif, acknowledged receiving these warnings, but some, like Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, argued that the lack of detailed data due to the treaty’s suspension exacerbated the crisis.

Indian authorities have refuted claims of deliberate flooding, stating that incessant monsoon rains and the need to manage overflowing reservoirs were the primary causes. A source quoted by Reuters emphasized that India was sharing all available information and managing water flow to mitigate downstream impacts.

Public and Social Media Backlash

Asif’s claim about dead bodies in the floodwaters has been widely criticized within Pakistan. Social media platforms, including X, have seen an outpouring of frustration, with many accusing the minister of fabricating excuses to cover up governmental failures. Users pointed out the lack of investment in flood-resistant infrastructure, such as dams and canals, as a more pressing issue. For instance:

• A Facebook user, Shazia Hussain, wrote, “Punjab was not allowed to build dams or even canals to handle floods by some of our own people due to their politics. Build Canals. Build Dams!”
• Another user, Shahmeen Islam, expressed anger on Instagram, criticizing the government’s focus on superficial projects like free Wi-Fi instead of critical infrastructure like water management systems.
• Posts on X echoed similar sentiments, with users calling for practical solutions rather than blame-shifting narratives. One user remarked, “Pakistani media blames India proof that blaming neighbours is easier than fixing drainage. Reminder: clouds don’t carry passports or visa, only water.”

The backlash highlights a broader sentiment of frustration with the government’s handling of recurring floods, a problem exacerbated by Pakistan’s vulnerability to climate change.

The Reality of Flood Causes

While Asif’s claims focus on India, experts attribute Pakistan’s flooding to a combination of factors:

• Climate Change: Pakistan is highly susceptible to climate change, with intensified monsoon rains and glacial melting contributing to frequent flooding. The 2025 monsoon season has been 65% more intense than the previous year.
• Poor Infrastructure: Inadequate drainage systems, illegal construction blocking waterways, and a lack of dams or canals have worsened flood impacts. For example, Karachi’s flooding was exacerbated by clogged drainage systems.
• Geographical Vulnerability: Pakistan’s location, with rivers originating in India and flowing downstream, makes it prone to flooding when upstream reservoirs release excess water during heavy rains.

Notably, a DW fact-check earlier in 2025 debunked similar claims that India deliberately triggered floods by releasing water from dams, clarifying that natural snowmelt and rainfall, not deliberate actions, caused increased river flows.

Moving Forward: Solutions Over Blame

The controversy surrounding Asif’s statement underscores the need for practical solutions rather than political blame games. Experts suggest:

• Infrastructure Investment: Building dams, canals, and improved drainage systems to manage floodwaters effectively.
• Climate Resilience: Implementing green infrastructure, such as permeable pavements and rain gardens, and enhancing early warning systems.
• Bilateral Cooperation: Restoring data-sharing under the Indus Waters Treaty to improve flood preparedness, despite political tensions.
• Community Education: Raising awareness about flood risks and preparedness to reduce loss of life and property.

Conclusion

Pakistan’s 2025 flood crisis is a stark reminder of the country’s vulnerability to climate change and the urgent need for robust infrastructure. Defence Minister Khawaja Asif’s claim that India caused the floods and sent dead bodies across the border has been met with skepticism and criticism, with many viewing it as an attempt to shift focus from domestic shortcomings. While India-Pakistan water dynamics remain complex, the focus should shift to collaborative and practical solutions to mitigate future disasters. As Pakistan mourns its losses and rebuilds, addressing systemic issues like infrastructure and climate resilience will be key to preventing such tragedies from recurring.