India Alerts Pak On Flooding In Tawi River
The alert was sent through India’s High Commission in Islamabad to Pakistan Foreign Office, on Sunday morning, bypassing the established Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) mechanism, which remains suspended since the Pahalgam terror attack. Prior to abeyance of IWT it was the duty of the IWT Commissioners to exchange information and warnings
New Delhi: Despite not being on talking terms due to border tensions following the Pahalgam terror attack, India has alerted Pakistan about a potential flood situation in Tawi river which flows through Jammu region. Sources said the information has been given to the Pakistan government “on humanitarian ground” to save lives of people and livestock.
The alert was sent through India’s High Commission in Islamabad to Pakistan Foreign Office, on Sunday morning, bypassing the established Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) mechanism, which remains suspended since the Pahalgam terror attack. Prior to abeyance of IWT it was the duty of the IWT Commissioners to exchange information and warnings.
India alerted the Pakistani side on Sunday morning at 10 am with regard to the developing emergency flood situation on the Indian side. This was the first contact between the two sides since Operation Sindoor. Following India’s alert, the Pakistani authorities have issued flood warning in its regions.
Heavy rainfall in Jammu and Kashmir has triggered flood like situation in the Union Territory and water level has risen in Tawi to dangerous levels. Several villages near the India-Pakistan border in Punjab were also affected after the water level in Ujh and Ravi rivers and rivulets rose following heavy rains in Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh since Saturday night. In Punjab the Pathankot district administration on Monday declared a holiday in all educational institutions in the wake of incessant rains while similar orders have been issued for schools in Jammu division.
Northern India including Jammu Kashmir and Punjab that borders Pakistan has been receiving heavy rainfall. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) issued red alert in these places on Monday asking people to move to safer places.
“Sudden water level rise and above normal flood situation is expected in Jhelum, Chenab, and its tributaries in districts Poonch, Rajouri, Reasi, Kishtwar, Ramban, Doda, Jammu, Udhampur, Kathua, Samba in next 24 hours,” the CWC food alert said on Sunday. JK recorded over 190mm rain.
“Isolated very heavy rainfall is expected over Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Punjab on 25th–26th August. Himachal Pradesh may experience continued heavy rain over the next 7 days. Residents are advised to stay indoors during intense showers, avoid sheltering under trees or weak structures, check road and traffic conditions before stepping out, and limit non-essential travel,” the IMD alert said.
JK Disaster Management Authority has said there are possibility of cloud burst, flash floods, landslides with water logging at vulnerable places in next 40 hours asking people to move to safer areas.
