NEW DELHI: India announced on Friday [Aug 24] it has agreed to a request from Pakistan for co-operation in preventing floods caused by four rivers that drain from Indian mountains into Pakistan. Two weeks ago, when flood water was devastating both sides of the dividing line in disputed Kashmir the Indian and Pakistani Armies began helping each other in relief operations.

Prime Minister Indira Gandhi sent a message to her Pakistani counterpart Mr Zulfikar Ali Bhutto expressing India’s deep concern over the large-scale destruction of property and loss of life in the country. Under the arrangement announced today, India’s Government owned radio network will daily broadcast flood conditions of the Beas, Chenab, Sutlej and Ravi rivers which flow from Indian territory into the Indus in central Pakistan.

In addition, the bulletins will be transmitted through Swiss diplomatic channels to Paki­stani officials. India and Pakistan have had no diplomatic relations since their last war in December 1971, and communicate with each other through the Swiss. The Pakis­tanis had asked for special flood warnings last Mon­day. … Pakistan was asked for the river discharge information in the context of the present flood situation in Pakistan. — News agencies

Published in Dawn, August 25th, 2023