text: (2) m def isles the term “emergency”, The definition contains a number of important elements, and includes several examples that are provided for purposes of illustration. As defined, an “emergency” must cause, ?r imminently threaten, “serious harm” to watercourse States “or other States”. The seriousness of the harm involved, together with the suddenness of the emergency’s occurrence, justifies the measuree required by the article. The expression “other States” refers to non-watercourse States that might be */ This paragraph which deals with the definition of emergency may LF moved-up to article 1 on [Use of terms]. m/See paragraph (1) of the commentary to that a:-title. - 175 .-affected by an ewrgency. These would usually be watercourse the The situation constituting an emergency must arise “suddenly”. This does not necessarily mean, however, that the situation naed be wholly unexpected. For example, weather patterns may provide an advance indication that a flood is likely. Because this situation would pose “an imminent threat of causing [] serious harm to watercourse States”, a watercourse State in whose territory the flood is likely to originate would be obligated under paragraph 2 to notify other potentially affected States of the emergency. Finally, the situation may result either “from natural causes . . . or from human conduct I*.While there may well be no liability on the part of a watercourse Utate for the harmful effects in another watercourse State of an emergency originating in the former and resulting entirely from natural causes, the obligations under paragraphs 2 and 3 would nonetheless apply to such an emergency. U/ (3) mm requires a watercourse State within whose territory an emergency originates to notify, *‘without delay and by the most ewpoditious means available”, other potentially affected States and competent international organisations, Similar obligations are contained, for example,
analysis: The text appears to be discussing the definition of an "emergency" in the context of watercourse States and the obligations of these States to notify other potentially affected States and international organizations in the event of an emergency. The language used suggests a focus on natural disasters, such as floods, and the potential for harm to watercourse States. This suggests that the category might be related to natural resources and environment, or humanitarian aid and relief.