Sutlej Rising: India Cautions Pakistan of Possible Flooding Across the Border

National News:The continuous rains in northern India have brought the water level of rivers to the dangerous levels. India has alerted Pakistan after increasing the water pressure in the Sutlej River flowing from Punjab. This alert was released on Tuesday by the Ministry of External Affairs on a humanitarian basis. The warning states that there is a high probability of flooding on Wednesday, which may affect life in the low-lying areas of Pakistan.

Water released from rain and dams created a crisis.

The effect of continuous rains in the hills of Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand is clearly visible on the rivers of Punjab. Many rivers, including Sutlej, Beas, and Ravi, are flowing above the normal level. Due to an increase in water in catchment areas, additional water is also being released from large dams. Due to this, the villages and fields situated along the river are threatened.

Alerts released earlier also

This is not the first time India has given such a warning to Pakistan. Last week, India had sent three separate alerts regarding the possible flood situation in the Tawi River. Due to continuous rain and release of water, the situation has become more serious rather than improving.

Cooperation despite stress

It is worth noting that after the Pahalgam terror attack in April, India stopped sharing hydrological data with Pakistan. 26 people died in this attack. Despite this, India has issued a warning this time so that people's lives and property are not harmed across the border. Officials say the step has been taken completely from a human point of view.

Importance of Indus Water Treaty

The Indus Water Treaty was signed between India and Pakistan in 1960 with the mediation of the World Bank. Under this treaty, the water of the six major rivers of the Indus basin—Sutlej, Beas, Ravi, Jhelum, Chenab, and Indus—is divided between the two countries. However, the bitterness in relations in the last few years has affected this cooperation.

Challenges ahead

The threat of floods persists in many areas of Punjab, Haryana, and Pakistan. Experts believe that if the rain continues for the next few days, the situation may worsen. The administration has advised people to be cautious and move away from low-lying areas. This step of India shows that human sensitivities are being given priority even amidst political differences.