India Warns Pakistan of Potential IWT Flooding in First Major Contact Since May
According to the sources, New Delhi warned Pakistan of a possible major flood in the Tawi River near Jammu.
The alert was conveyed by the Indian High Commission in Islamabad on the morning of Sunday, August 24, the sources added.
This marks the first major contact of its kind since the Pakistan-India military engagement in May, the sources noted.
Following India’s warning, Pakistani authorities issued flood alerts based on the information provided, the sources confirmed.
Earlier, after the killing of 26 people in the Pahalgam area of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) in April, India had put the IWT with Pakistan on hold.
New Delhi accused Islamabad of orchestrating the deadly militant attack, an allegation Pakistan has denied.
Citing these unproven claims, India launched a military offensive against Pakistan in May, resulting in the heaviest engagement between the two countries in decades before a US-brokered ceasefire was reached.
The nuclear-armed neighbours disagree over the use of the water from rivers that flow downstream from India into the Indus River basin in Pakistan.
The use of the water is governed by the IWT, which was mediated by the World Bank and signed by the neighbours in September 1960.
There is no provision in the treaty for either country to unilaterally suspend or terminate the pact, which has clear dispute resolution systems.
The treaty had survived three wars and other conflicts between the two rivals, while withstanding many twists and turns in diplomatic ties.
Reuters reported on May 16 that Delhi is considering projects that would likely reduce the flow of water into Pakistan from rivers allocated to that country.
India has also said that it will "keep the treaty in abeyance until Pakistan credibly and irrevocably abjures its support for cross-border terrorism."
In contrast, Islamabad says "any attempt to stop or divert the flow of water belonging to Pakistan" will be an "act of war".
What is Indus Waters Treaty?
The nuclear-armed neighbours disagree over the use of the water from rivers that flow downstream from India into the Indus River basin in Pakistan.
The use of the water is governed by the IWT, which was mediated by the World Bank and signed by the neighbours in September 1960.
The agreement split the Indus and its tributaries between the two countries and regulated water sharing.
India was granted the use of water from three eastern rivers Sutlej, Beas and Ravi while Pakistan was granted most of the three western rivers Indus, Jhelum and Chenab.
There is no provision in the treaty for either country to unilaterally suspend or terminate the pact, which has clear dispute resolution systems.
What are the concerns over water?
The countries have argued over and disputed several projects on the Indus and its tributaries for years.
Pakistan is heavily dependent on water from this river system for its hydropower and irrigation needs.
Pakistan says India unfairly diverts water with the upstream construction of barrages and dams, a charge India denies.
Pakistan is concerned that India's dams will cut flows on the river, which feeds 80% of its irrigated agriculture.
It has asked for a neutral expert and then an arbitration court to intervene in two recent hydropower projects.
India has accused Pakistan of dragging out the complaints process, and says the construction of its Kishanganga and Ratle hydroelectric projects is allowed under the treaty.
It has also sought modification of the pact to get around such delays.
What could suspension change?
The suspension of the accord is not expected to have an immediate impact on the flow of water to Pakistan, as India does not have enough storage capacity.
However, water at a key receiving point in Pakistan briefly fell by as much as 90% in early May after India started maintenance work on some Indus projects.
India's move could also bring uncertainty to Pakistan's agricultural system.
The suspension means India can stop sharing crucial information and data on the release of water from barrages/dams or on flooding, Indian officials said, adding that New Delhi will also not be obliged to release minimum amounts of water during the lean season.
from Latest Pakistan News - SUCH TV https://ift.tt/VQv0M7y
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