India Alerts Pakistan of Flood Risk Under Indus Waters Treaty – First Contact Since May Conflict
In a rare diplomatic communication after months of heightened tensions, India has officially warned Pakistan about the risk of flooding in the Tawi River, under the framework of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT).
According to reliable sources, the Indian High Commission in Islamabad shared the alert on the morning of August 24, marking the first major engagement since the May military standoff between the two nuclear-armed nations. Pakistani authorities quickly issued warnings after receiving the information.
The contact comes despite India’s earlier move to suspend its participation in the IWT following the April Pahalgam attack in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), where 26 people were killed. New Delhi blamed Pakistan for orchestrating the incident — an allegation Islamabad strongly rejects.
The May conflict was one of the deadliest clashes between the rivals in decades, ending only after US-brokered ceasefire efforts. Despite ongoing mistrust, the IWT — signed in 1960 with World Bank mediation — remains a critical framework for water-sharing between the two countries. The pact has survived multiple wars but now faces uncertainty due to India’s recent unilateral actions.
Experts warn that Pakistan, which relies on the Indus river system for nearly 80% of its agriculture, could face devastating consequences if India disrupts water flows. Farmers fear reduced crop yields, food shortages, and rising prices if water-sharing obligations are not honoured.
Earlier this year, Pakistan secured a legal victory in The Hague, where the Permanent Court of Arbitration reaffirmed its jurisdiction over disputes under the IWT, rejecting India’s unilateral suspension of treaty mechanisms. The ruling strengthened Pakistan’s stance that water cooperation must continue under international law.
Despite the tensions, India’s latest flood warning has been seen as a cautious step towards maintaining limited cooperation, even as broader diplomatic ties remain strained.