He cited Pakistan’s own data to counter the claims: “Significantly, Pakistan’s own Flood Forecasting Division, Lahore, in its Flood Advisory issued on 22 July 2026 (1718 PST), attributed the high flood levels in the River Chenab to heavy rainfall over the upper catchment and stated that high flows at Marala were expected to persist before gradually receding as rainfall over the catchment decreased.”

“The rise in river flows is, therefore, a natural hydrological response to heavy monsoon rainfall and not the result of any deliberate action by India. Attempts to portray a weather-driven flood event as an upstream intervention are factually incorrect, technically untenable, and contradicted by Pakistan’s own official flood advisories,” he said.

According to a Pakistani official quoted in Dawn, India had “not provided Pakistan with prior information on upstream river flows”.

The MEA spokesperson countered this as well: “As regards allegations relating to flood warnings, the river flows during this period did not reach extraordinary discharge levels requiring the issuance of special flood warnings. The observed flows were consistent with prevailing monsoon conditions over the upper catchments, as acknowledged by Pakistan’s own flood forecasting authorities. Any suggestion that India deliberately withheld flood-related information is, therefore, without factual basis.”

“Nevertheless, like last year, India will share high-flood data with Pakistan on humanitarian grounds, through diplomatic channels as and when a situation arises,” he said.

Responding to questions on the Indus Waters Treaty, the MEA spokesperson said, “India’s position on IWT remains unchanged. IWT will continue to be held in abeyance until Pakistan credibly and irrevocably abjures its support for cross-border terrorism.” India had kept IWT “in abeyance” since April last year, after the Pahalgam terrorist attack.