India has formally alerted Pakistan about looming flood threats in the Rivers Chenab and Sutlej under Indus Waters Treaty, which was suspended by Delhi during four-day military standoff in May, reported 24NewsHD TV channel reported on Monday.
Under the decades-old Indus Waters Treaty, India requires to share hydrological data with its neighbour.
According to official sources, the latest flood warning came officially from Indian High Commission Islamabad to the Foreign Ministry about a high flood in the River Sutlej and senior government officials, on the other hand, have confirmed the development.
Earlier on Sunday, the Indian High Commission made the first major contact with Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs since the recent war, conveying information about high flood levels.
Senior government officials in Pakistan confirmed the alert, stating that India specifically warned of rising water levels in the River Tawi in Jammu, which is a key tributary of the River Chenab.
They described this as the first significant communication between the two countries in the wake of the conflict, centred not on hostilities but on the risk of severe flooding.
The Indian High Commission in Islamabad issued a flood warning about the River Tawi, which joins Pakistan’s Chenab River and runs through the border districts of Gujrat and Sialkot.
The alert came even though India announced in April it was putting the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) in abeyance after blaming Pakistan for an attack in Occupied Kashmir that killed 26 people, mostly tourists. Pakistan denied involvement and demanded an international probe.
The suspension of the treaty meant India could stop sharing critical information on water releases and flooding and was no longer required to maintain minimum flows to Pakistan during the dry season.
A letter from the Indian High Commission in Pakistan on Sunday, said: “The High Commission of India to Pakistan presents its compliments to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Government of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Islamabad and has the honour to convey the following flood data. River and site Name: Tawi, Jammu. Date/Time: 24th August 2025, 10.00 Hrs, flood data: high flood.”
Following the warning, the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) in Punjab issued a flood alert, warning that rising waters in the River Tawi were likely to affect levels in Gujrat and Sialkot via the Chenab. District administrations were asked to activate flood monitoring and early warning systems and ensure a coordinated response.
Also Read: Crops destroyed, villages flooded after River Indus bursts its banks at Obaro
Under the IWT, in force since 1960, Pakistan has rights to the western rivers — Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab — for irrigation, drinking, and non-consumptive uses such as hydropower. India controls the eastern rivers — Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej — but can also use the western rivers for limited power generation and irrigation, provided it does not alter their flow significantly.
Pakistan reacted strongly to India’s suspension of the treaty in April, warning that any move by New Delhi to stop or divert its share of waters guaranteed under the IWT would be considered “an act of war.”
The latest Indian warning came as Pakistan reels from deadly monsoon rains, with nearly 800 people killed since June 26 due to heavy showers, flash floods and landslides.
— Low flood in Chenab hits Jhang, Gujrat districts —
The development comes at a time when Pakistan is already grappling with swelling rivers. With flood levels already rising, Pakistan’s alert from India underscores the pressing danger faced by communities living along the banks of the Chenab.
On August 3, 24NewsHD reported that low-lying areas in Jhang were inundated after the Chenab burst its banks, with the water level at Trimmu Barrage recorded at 80,000 cusecs.
On August 16, the channel reported that the Chenab was in a state of low flood in Gujrat, where agricultural land had been eroded, and fears were mounting that floodwaters might enter residential zones.
Locals complained that the district administration had failed to take preventive measures. Additionally, the Nullah Palkhu continued to remain in low flood at Sialkot Cantonment.
— About Chenab River —
The Chenab River itself is one of the five great rivers of Punjab, formed by the confluence of the Chandra and Bhaga in Himachal Pradesh, India.
Flowing through Jammu and into Punjab, Pakistan, it plays a vital role in irrigation before joining the Sutlej and ultimately merging with the Indus River at Mithankot.
Historically, it was referred to as Asikni in the Rigveda and Chandrabhaga in the Mahabharata, with even ancient Greeks recording its name in various forms.
--About Tawi River--
The Tawi River, originating from the Kailash Kund glacier in Doda District of Jammu and Kashmir, flows through Jammu city before merging with the Chenab in Pakistan’s Sialkot District.
It holds cultural and religious importance, known in ancient texts as “Surya Putri” (Daughter of the Sun).
A low-level flood was reported in Shakargarh and Wazirabad areas as water flows in rivers and nullahs continue to rise.
In Shakargarh, River Ravi recorded a flow of 79,800 cusecs at Kot Nainan. While it was 73,926 cusecs at Jasar. The Nala OJ carried 48,500 cusecs at Jalala. Nala Basantar 1,800 cusecs, and Nala Bayan 1,656 cusecs.
At Wazirabad Head Marala, inflow in the River Chenab was 118,610 cusecs and outflow 100,460 cusecs. At Khanki Barrage, inflow reached 122,389 cusecs and outflow 115,021 cusecs. At Head Qadirabad, inflow was 120,854 cusecs and outflow 103,854 cusecs. Authorities confirmed that the River Chenab is currently in a low-level flood situation at multiple points, with continuous monitoring underway.
Reporter: Anwer Abbas