The proposed Chinese mega dam to generate 60,000 MW of power on the Yarlung Tsangpo canyon of river Brahmaputra in Eastern Tibet can have disastrous consequences in Assam and Arunachal Pradesh.
Impacts of the Proposed Chinese Dam on Brahmaputra
- Flood Risk During Rainy Season:
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- China could release excess water from the dam, causing devastating floods in Assam and Arunachal Pradesh.
- Drought During Lean Season:
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- Storing water during the lean season may dry up the Brahmaputra’s base flow, severely affecting Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, and even Bangladesh.
- Geological and Seismic Instability:
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- The region is highly seismic, with past earthquakes (2000, 2017) leading to landslides and artificial lake formation.
- Any dam failure could exacerbate the devastation.
- Environmental Degradation:
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- Disruption of river ecosystems due to changes in water flow patterns.
- Potential pollution of water sources downstream.
- Economic Consequences:
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- Reduced water availability affecting agriculture, irrigation, and drinking water supply in Assam and Arunachal Pradesh.
- Geopolitical Issues:
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- Lack of a water-sharing treaty with China leaves India vulnerable to unilateral decisions by China.
Mitigation Measures Proposed
- Construction of the Yingkiong Dam in Arunachal Pradesh:
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- A multi-purpose dam with a capacity of 11,000 MW.
- Includes large flood storage capacity to hold back surge waves in case of a dam failure upstream.
- Water Storage Reservoirs in Tributaries:
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- Creation of reservoirs in the Brahmaputra’s tributaries to ensure water availability for drinking, irrigation, and pollution control during lean seasons.
- Rejuvenation of Water Bodies:
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- Restoring water bodies in Assam and Arunachal Pradesh to enhance water storage capacity and resilience.
- Comprehensive Risk Analysis:
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- Conduct a dam break analysis involving India, China, and Bangladesh to evaluate potential risks.
- International Cooperation and Advocacy:
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- India should demand transparency from China regarding dam operations.
- Efforts to create a water-sharing agreement between India and China.
- Technical Preparedness:
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- Use advanced dam safety technologies to design resilient structures.
- Focus on disaster preparedness to minimize risks during floods or earthquakes.
- Policy and Governance:
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- Indian government must address the issue with utmost seriousness to safeguard the interests of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh
