Explainer: China’s Brahmaputra Mega Dam Called ‘Water Bomb’ By India – Here’s Why It’s Alarming Delhi | World News
China launched the Mega Dam Project: China has officially launched the construction of experts called the world’s largest hydroelectric project, a huge dam, a huge dam in Yarlung Zangbo (Brahmaputra) in the Southeast Tibet.
The groundbreaking Ningchi’s Premier Li Qiang was announced in the Ana Gorge, which pointed out the beginning of an attempt of $ 167.8 billion. Five Cascade Electrical Power Plants are planned. Electricity production is fixed to 300 billion kWh per year, sufficient for more than 300 million people and even exceeds three Gorges dams.
Why are India and Bangladesh worrying?
The dam site is located near Arunachal Pradesh, where the river enters the Indian territory as Siang, and then becomes Brahmaputra in Assam and flows to Bangladesh.
Arunachal Prime Minister Pema Khandu called him the “pointing water bomb, and warned China’s ability to disrupt the river flow or release sudden water, threaten tribal communities and livelihoods in India.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MEA) and other senior officials participating in the handling of river sharing and water safety problems, called China to allow the rights of the downward countries to allow the rights of the downward countries and to allow transparent water data sharing.
How much control can China actually have?
Assem CM Himanta Biswa Sarma and Water Experts argue that China’s Brahmaputra flow only 30-35% of the flow of Brahmaputra, mainly with glacier melting and tibetan rainfall. More than 65% of the flow is produced in India with monsoon -fed arms, such as subansiri, Lohit, Manas and others.
Research studies weakens China’s contribution to only 15-20%, weakening the fears of great flow control from upstairs.
Engineering and geological complexity
The dam is located in Yarlung Tsangpo Grand Canyon, one of the deepest of the world.
Construction will include 420 km tunnel from fragile and earthquake -prone lands near Namcha Barwa (a mountain summit in Tibet in the Pemako region). Experts warn risks such as landslides and seismic displacement.
In January 2025, a 6.8 -magnitude earthquake in Tibetan, emphasizing seismic dangers close to the dam area, damaging the hydroelectric infrastructure.
India’s Risks Balancing Plans
India actively develops the Siang Upper Multi -Purpose Project, a 11.2 GW Hydroelectric Plan near LAC to increase flood control and energy safety.
Union Minister Kiren Rijiju described it as a strategic necessity and described it as an obstacle against flood risk and as defense buffer in future water disputes.
Large environment and diplomatic risks
Analysts point to ethical and ecological consequences, including the potential displacement of communities and the destruction of sacred ecological areas. Himalayan expert groups, estimated 1.2 million people can be affected in more than one Tibetan dam, he says.
Environmentalists and Thinking Organizations talk about the Mekong basin’s peers, where China’s Upper Flow Dams trigger droughts and disrupt the downflow ecosystems.
India and Bangladesh are closely monitoring, because the cross -border water law remains weak, there is no official treaty with China to regulate flow timing or volume.
So, China’s Mega-Dam is not just an energy project. It is a geographical environmental glare point. India’s concerns extend from water safety to climate flexibility, tribal effects and strategic leverages where upstairs control can meet Beijing.
