Amidst heavy rainfall in the northern regions, India has issued fresh flood alerts to Pakistan concerning the Tawi River, conveying the warnings on humanitarian grounds. The alerts highlight the "high probability" of flooding due to the release of excess water from major dams, a consequence of the incessant rainfall.

This week, India has issued three flood alerts regarding the rising Tawi River. The alerts were communicated to Islamabad through the Ministry of External Affairs. Sources indicate that these warnings are being shared to prevent potential loss of life and property across the border.

The Tawi River originates in the Himalayas and flows through the Jammu division before entering Pakistan to join the Chenab River. Due to excessive rains in the Indian regions, the gates of some dams had to be opened. Jammu has been significantly affected by the continuous rain, causing rivers to overflow. Authorities were compelled to open the gates of key reservoirs as water levels reached dangerous levels.

The decision to issue these alerts comes despite the suspension of the routine exchange of hydrological data with Pakistan under the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT). This suspension occurred after a terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam on April 22, 2025, where 26 people, mostly tourists, were killed.

Even with the treaty in abeyance, India has chosen to communicate these flood warnings to Pakistan, emphasizing the humanitarian aspect of the situation. According to sources within the Jal Shakti Ministry, the communication was conveyed to the Ministry of External Affairs, which then contacted Islamabad.

In Jammu, the Tawi River has already surged past dangerous levels, causing damage to infrastructure and disrupting normal life. A road near the Fourth Tawi Bridge was washed away due to the swelling river. Authorities have urged residents to stay away from rivers and 'nallahs' as a precautionary measure. The Indian Army has also launched rescue operations in the Gadigarh area to evacuate stranded residents. Railway services have been severely affected, with numerous trains cancelled due to soil erosion and flash floods.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued warnings for more heavy rainfall in the coming days. Pakistan's National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has also issued advisories about heavy rains across most parts of the country until August 30.