India Warns Pakistan of Tawi River Flood Risk

India has alerted Pakistan about a potential major flood in the Tawi River in Jammu, marking the first significant communication between the two nations since their May 2025 military standoff, according to a report by The News. The warning, conveyed via the Indian High Commission in Islamabad on Sunday, August 24, bypasses the usual Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) mechanism, which remains suspended following the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people.

Citing official sources, the report notes that Pakistani authorities issued public warnings based on India’s alert, though neither country has officially confirmed the development. Typically, such flood-related information is shared through the Indus Water Commissioners, but India’s suspension of the IWT—announced a day after the Pahalgam attack—has halted formal data-sharing protocols. The 1960 treaty, brokered by the World Bank, governs water distribution of the Indus River and its tributaries, critical for Pakistan’s agriculture and hydropower.

The alert coincides with Pakistan’s National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) warning of heavy rains across the country until August 30, following monsoon spells from June 26 to August 20 that killed 788 people and injured 1,018. The Tawi River, a tributary of the Chenab, poses flood risks to Pakistani-administered Kashmir, prompting heightened vigilance. Posts on X reflect mixed sentiments, with some praising the gesture as a step toward cooperation, while others question India’s motives amid strained ties.