China water weapon: India, Bangladesh and China are again in discussion. China has started building the world’s largest and disputed dam on the Brahmaputra River in Tibet, which has increased the tension of India and Bangladesh. The foundation of this mega project of Rs 12 lakh crore has been laid by Chinese Prime Minister Lee Kiang himself. This dam is being constructed only a few kilometers from the border of India in Ningchi, which has made India sleep.
Where is this dam being built?
This dam is being built by China at the place where the Brahmaputra River, which is called Yarlung Tsangpo in China, takes a turn before entering Arunachal Pradesh. This area is sensitive to earthquake and because of this experts also call it a “geo-cultural time bomb”.
How big is this project? Why is India afraid?
This project will be included in the world’s largest hydropower projects. It will have a total of 5 power stations, will produce 300 billion kW-hour power annually and is larger than the Three Gorges Dam on the Yangtzi River.
Bangladesh is also afraid of India as well as Bangladesh from this project. Actually, this dam can cause deep damage to water supply, agriculture, drinking water and biodiversity. The biggest concern is that China can use it as a “water weapon”.
Hard to trust China
Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu has said that if China suddenly releases water from the dam, the Siang Valley will be completely ruined. This dam can become a water bomb.
In January, India officially told China that the lower states should not be harmed. To this, China replied that there would be no negative effects. But India does not trust China at all.
Earthquake and threat of environmental destruction
According to the information, China is building a dam here, the area is on tectonic plates. In such a situation, the dam may have a profound effect on the local ecosystem and biodiversity. Creating a dam in the valley of Brahmaputra, which falls from 25,000 feet, is also a big challenge for engineering.
India’s counter -preparation
India has also prepared a large hydroelectric project, named Siang Additional Multipurpose Project (SUMP). It has a capacity of 11,000 MW, which is in Siang district of Arunachal Pradesh. However, the project is facing opposition from the local people. In such a situation, this water-cultural move of China can be considered as the beginning of the water war in Asia, on which India needs to remain diplomatically active.
