India has officially warned Pakistan about the possibility of a major flood under the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT). The alert mentions a high risk of flooding in the Tawi River, which flows near Jammu.
The notice was issued by the Indian High Commission in Islamabad on August 24 at 10:00 AM. What makes this significant is that India had earlier announced the suspension of the IWT this year.
Despite that suspension, India still chose to inform Pakistan about the flood risk, as required under the treaty.
This development comes at a time when relations between the two neighbouring countries are already strained. Recently, India expelled Pakistani nationals, closed the Wagah-Attari border, and withdrew the SAARC visa exemption facility. These actions have further added to political and diplomatic tensions in the region.
The Indus Waters Treaty, signed in 1960 with the help of the World Bank, governs how the two countries share the waters of the Indus River system. Pakistan has in the past raised concerns about India’s construction of dams and other projects on the western rivers, which are allocated to Pakistan under the treaty.
In fact, Pakistan took the matter to the Court of Arbitration, questioning whether India’s activities violated the agreement.
The latest warning highlights not only the danger of flooding but also the delicate balance of cooperation and conflict between the two countries. While political ties remain tense, the flood alert shows that both sides are still bound by certain obligations under international agreements.
