China Blocks Tributary of Brahmaputra in Tibet to Build Dam

China has blocked a tributary of the Brahmaputra river in Tibet for the “most expensive” hydro project.

The Brahmaputra river in Nyingchi, Tibet. (Photo: iStock)

China has blocked a tributary of the Brahmaputra river in Tibet as part of the construction of its “most expensive” hydro project which could cause concern in India as it may impact water flows into the lower riparian countries.

It is not clear yet what impact the blockade of the river will have on the flow of water from the Brahmaputra into the lower riparian countries like India and Bangladesh as a result, reported Xinhua news agency.

The blockade of the Brahmaputra river tributary comes at a time when India’s reported decision to suspend talks with Pakistan under Indus Waters Treaty as part of its efforts to hit back at Pakistan in the aftermath of the Uri attack.

Also Read: If India Can Rethink Indus Treaty, China Too Has Water as a Weapon

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang gave a guarded reply when asked on 27 September about India’s reported move.

As a friendly neighbour to both India and Pakistan, China hopes that India and Pakistan can properly address disputes and improve relations through dialogue and consultation, maintain and enhance all-round cooperation and join hands to promote regional peace, stability and development.

Geng Shuang, Spokesman, Chinese Foreign Ministry

Flood situation in 13 districts have turned serious as Brahmaputra river and its tributaries have swelled up after torrential rains. (Photo: Maina Dutta)

More Dams in Line Despite India’s Concerns

The Lalho project on Xiabuqu river, a tributary of Yarlung Zangbo (the Tibetan name for Brahmaputra), in Xigaze in Tibet involves an investment of 4.95 billion yuan ($740 million), Zhang Yunbao, head of the project's administration bureau was quoted as saying by the news agency.

Terming it as the “most expensive project”, the report said the project, whose construction began in June 2014, was scheduled to be completed in 2019.

The outline of China's 12th Five Year Plan indicates that three more hydropower projects on the mainstream of the Brahmaputra river in Tibet Autonomous Region have been approved for implementation.

In 2015, China had operationalised the $1.5 billion Zam Hydropower Station, the largest in Tibet, built on the Brahmaputra river, which has raised concerns in India.

But China has maintained that it has taken into consideration India’s concerns and allays apprehensions of restricting the flow of water, saying its dams are run of the river projects not designed to hold water.

In March, Union Minister of State for Water Resources Sanwar Lal Jat said in a statement that India had expressed its concerns to China about the likely impact of the dams.

While there is no water treaty between the countries, India and China established an Expert Level Mechanism (ELM) on trans-border rivers. Making India further dependent on China are some of the rivers under the Indus Waters Treaty that originate in China.

In October 2013, the two governments signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on strengthening cooperation on trans-border rivers under which Beijing provides data to India on the water flows.

(With PTI inputs)