Under the cover of run-of-river projects on the Chenab and Jhelum, India has already stored over 250,000 acre-feet of water, quietly gaining control over rivers meant for Pakistan under the Indus Waters Treaty. This means India can hold back water in winter, creating drought-like conditions, and release it during monsoon to worsen floods. Simply put, India now controls the tap, while Pakistan’s Mangla Dam sits at its lowest level in a decade. And regardless of all the chest-thumping, if India truly goes ahead with scrapping the treaty, the fallout for Pakistan could be far more serious than many realize.
As for Pakistan's options, we practically have a very few. Taking the issue to the UN or World Bank sounds good, but they can’t actually force India to stop... international law is just international morality, which powerful countries seldom follow. As for war, it may sound like a bold response, but it’s not something Pakistan can afford or win in its current state...