China’s Mega Dam on Yarlung Tsangpo: A Threat to Brahmaputra, Ecology, and Regional Security
Arunachal Pradesh CM Pema Khandu expressed concerns over China’s construction of a massive hydropower dam on the Yarlung Tsangpo River in Tibet. He highlighted the risks of China controlling water flow, causing ecological and livelihood disruptions downstream in Arunachal, Assam, and Bangladesh. Khandu warned about the possibility of the dam being used as a “water bomb,” potentially leading to catastrophic flooding in the region. The project threatens biodiversity, local communities, and regional stability.
Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu has raised serious concerns about China’s construction of a massive hydropower project on the Yarlung Tsangpo River in Tibet. Speaking at the ‘Environment and Security’ seminar in Itanagar, he criticized China for avoiding binding international water treaties and selectively sharing hydrological data. He emphasized the potential risks this project poses to downstream regions in India and Bangladesh.
Key Concerns
1. Control Over Water Flow
China could control the timing and volume of water flow downstream, potentially causing severe disruptions during periods of drought or low flow. This could result in the drying up of the Siang (Brahmaputra) River during winters, impacting life in Arunachal Pradesh’s Siang region and the plains of Assam.
2. Environmental and Economic Impacts
The project, which is expected to generate 60,000 MW of power, could devastate the ecological balance of the surrounding areas. It threatens biodiversity and the livelihoods of millions of people in Arunachal Pradesh and Assam who rely on the river.
3. Water Bomb’ Threat
Khandu expressed fears that the dam could be weaponized as a “water bomb.” If China were to release a large volume of water, it could lead to catastrophic flooding, endangering the Adi tribe in the Siang region and millions of lives in Assam and as far downstream as Bangladesh.
Regional Impact
The Yarlung Tsangpo flows from Tibet into Arunachal Pradesh, where it becomes the Siang River, then the Brahmaputra in Assam, and finally the Jamuna in Bangladesh. Any alteration in the river’s natural flow could have dire consequences for India and Bangladesh, disrupting ecosystems, biodiversity, and human livelihoods across the region.
This project has raised alarm in both India and Bangladesh, with its potential to affect regional stability and the sustainable management of shared water resources.
Disclaimer
The information is based on statements made by Arunachal Pradesh CM Pema Khandu and reports from credible sources like NDTV. The potential impacts mentioned are speculative and subject to further assessment based on the project’s development.
source : Jagran English