Arunachal CM flags alarming concern over China building, calls it 'ticking water bomb'
PTC News Desk: Arunachal Pradesh's Chief Minister Pema Khandu has flagged alarming concern over China's dam building and labelled it as a "water bomb" and an "existential threat" surpassing even military risks from Beijing. He asserted that Arunachal Pradesh shares a 1,200 km border with Tibet, not China, noting Tibet's occupation by China in 1950.
The chief minister also highlighted the dam's potential to disrupt the Siang and Brahmaputra rivers critical for Arunachal, Assam and Bangladesh. To negate the ill effects of a potential Chinese misadventure and be prepared for any eventualities, Khandu revealed that Arunachal Pradesh has proposed the Siang Upper Multipurpose Project to the Central Government to ensure water security and put it up as a defence mechanism.
China is reportedly building hydropower mega-dam on the Yarlung Tsangpo China's Tibet which lies about 50 kms from Indian border. The $137-billion project will reportedly generate 60,000 MW of power. It is the dam's proximity to Indian border especially to the Arunachal Pradesh has set off alarm with the chief minister describing it a 'ticking water bomb' and its potential to devastate downstream communities in India and Bangladesh, along with their ecosystems.
Despite the dam's approval in 2024, Beijing's lack of transparency has kept the project in secrecy, leading escalating regional tensions. The experts have warned that building of dam poses significant threat for Arunachal Pradesh as sudden water release couls trigger flood situation in Siang and Brahmaputra rivers while restricted flow could impact water availability.
Why India should be worried ?
China being un upper riparian country hold control over the flow of rivers like the Brahmaputras that originates in the territory which comes under his control, giving him direct power to control the water flow, posing serious environmental and geopolitical ramifications.
While fears pertaining to the flow of water loom large, some experts believe that China holds no intention to weaponise the the Brahmaputra by blocking its water.
While experts suggest that China can't turn off India's tap, it could strategically hold and release water to cause flooding. And, given the secretive nature of the massive dam, and Beijing's disputes with New Delhi, concerns among a section of Indians are justified.
- PTC NEWS
