New Delhi:  Torrential monsoon rains across the Himalayas have triggered a worsening flood crisis in India and Pakistan, forcing India to release water from major dams in its Kashmir territory and warn Pakistan of imminent cross-border flooding.

In India’s Jammu and Kashmir region, at least 36 people have died in the past 24 hours. A landslide near the Vaishno Devi shrine claimed 33 lives, while three others drowned in the Doda district. Authorities reported that rainfall in Jammu has been 726 percent above normal since August 23, marking the highest level recorded since 1950. Infrastructure damage has been severe, with road networks, electricity, water supply, and communication systems disrupted across the affected areas.

To prevent dam overflows, India opened the gates of key reservoirs in Kashmir, prompting warnings to Pakistan about downstream impacts. The alert, delivered through diplomatic channels rather than the suspended Indus Waters Treaty, cautioned of possible flooding along the Ravi, Chenab, and Sutlej rivers flowing into Pakistan’s Punjab province.

Pakistan’s National Disaster Management Authority issued red alerts, describing the flood risk as “very high to exceptionally high.” Authorities in Punjab warned that the next 48 hours would be critical. More than 167,000 people have already been displaced in the province, including around 40,000 who evacuated voluntarily since mid-August. The death toll from this year’s monsoon season in Pakistan has climbed to 804, with over half reported in August alone.

Floodwaters have already inundated towns such as Kasur, Bahawalnagar, and Kartarpur Sahib, leaving thousands stranded. The Pakistani army has been deployed to assist with rescue and relief operations, particularly in the southern regions where the flooding is worsening.

While the Indian government emphasized that the warning was issued on humanitarian grounds, analysts note that the move comes amid heightened political tensions between the two neighbors. India suspended the Indus Waters Treaty in April following a military skirmish in May, raising concerns that the flood crisis could add strain to already fragile relations.

Despite the diplomatic strain, Pakistan’s disaster management officials acknowledged that India’s alert allowed timely evacuations, potentially saving more than 150,000 lives. Relief agencies on both sides of the border are bracing for further challenges as monsoon rains continue, with meteorologists warning that the region remains highly vulnerable in the days ahead.