Beijing assured that the dam will not adversely affect downstream nations, including India and Bangladesh.
Arunachal Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Friday raised concerns about China’s plan to construct the largest hydropower dam in eastern Tibet, warning that it could be used by the northern neighbour as a water bomb.
He drew attention towards the Chinese plan to construct the hydropower project on the Yarlung Tsangpo River, near the Indian border, which can generate 60,000 MW of power. The river enters Arunachal Pradesh as Siang and becomes the Brahmaputra in Assam before flowing into Bangladesh.
“If China uses it as a water bomb, it will completely affect the Adi tribe (who reside in the Siang district of Arunachal Pradesh) and millions in Assam and as far as Bangladesh. It’s a matter of big concern,” said Khandu while addressing the reporters on the sidelines of the inaugural function of a seminar titled ‘Environment and Security’ in the state Legislative Assembly complex.
Noting that the project would have a devastating effect on Arunachal Pradesh and Assam, he said that any sudden releases of water from the dam could cause severe flooding downstream in the northeastern states.
He added that it was more worrying since China is not a signatory of global treaties on water.
“The mighty Siang or the Brahmaputra river would dry up during winters disrupting life in the Siang belt and the plains of Assam,” he warned.
“China’s construction of the world’s largest hydropower dam on the Yarlung Tsangpo River poses significant risks to the water security, ecology, and livelihoods of millions of people downstream in Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, and Bangladesh. The potential disruption of water flows, flooding, and ecosystem degradation could have far-reaching consequences on us,” he added.