Guwahati: In the heart of Tibet, a monumental hydropower project is unfolding, one that promises to be the world’s largest dam on the Yarlung Tsangpo River. This megastructure, heralded as a potential game-changer in renewable energy, has ignited a firestorm of concerns in India and Bangladesh. The fears are not unfounded; experts warn that the dam could unleash devastating floods or drastically reduce water flow, threatening the livelihoods of millions downstream.
BJP MP Tapir Gao from Arunachal Pradesh has voiced these concerns vociferously, likening the dam to a “water bomb” poised to wreak havoc on the region. His warnings highlight the dam’s immense capacity of 60,000 MW, which is predicted to have a significant impact on northeastern India, particularly Arunachal Pradesh and Assam, as well as downstream in Bangladesh.
The dam’s construction site is located in Medog County, where the Yarlung Tsangpo makes a dramatic U-turn before flowing into India. China’s approval of this project, valued at an estimated 137 billion US Dollars, was announced on December 25. While the dam is touted as a major step toward renewable energy, it also poses risks of flash floods and reduced water availability, which could severely affect agriculture and water supply in the region.
The Indian government is engaging in diplomatic efforts to address these concerns with China, aiming to protect the interests of downstream states. However, experts point to a critical oversight: the lack of a formal water-sharing agreement between India and China, which could escalate bilateral tensions.
Recently, a conference organized by Asian Confluence brought together experts from various fields to discuss the challenges posed by the dam. Participants emphasized the need for more scientific studies to assess the dam’s impact and advocated for international collaboration to mitigate potential risks.
