Itanagar, Sept 08: Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu has expressed concerns about potential environmental disasters and floods in his state and neighboring Assam due to China’s construction of a mega dam on the Yarlung Tsangpo River.
This river, known as the Siang in Arunachal Pradesh, eventually becomes the Brahmaputra in Assam and the Jamuna in Bangladesh before flowing into the Bay of Bengal.
To counter the possible consequences of China’s dam project, the Indian government is planning to build a large barrage across the Siang River. Chief Minister Khandu emphasized the need for such a structure to control water flow and protect against floods in the Siang Valley, Assam, and even Bangladesh.
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The concerns stem from the potential diversion of water by China’s dam, which could lead to reduced water levels in the Siang River and subsequent floods when excess water is released. Khandu plans to visit the affected area to request cooperation from villagers for survey and investigation work related to the proposed barrage.
The dam being constructed by China is expected to generate significantly more electricity than the Three Gorges Dam, raising environmental and safety concerns. It spans the Yarlung Tsangpo River before it enters India, crossing the world’s longest and deepest canyon at a high altitude. Several other projects are also planned or under construction along this river.
While the dam could provide substantial power generation, experts have raised concerns about potential negative consequences, including seismic risks and landslides. The situation highlights the complex challenges posed by large-scale infrastructure projects in ecologically sensitive areas.
