India Plans To Build a Hydropower Project
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by
twa
Fearing a Chinese threat of “water wars,” India is considering a plan to build an 11,000 megawatt (MW) hydropower project in Upper Subansiri in Arunachal Pradesh.
China could construct dams on a section of the Brahmaputra River. The river, also known as the Yarlung Tsangbo in China, flows from Tibet into India’s Arunachal Pradesh state and down through Assam to Bangladesh. Indian authorities are concerned that Chinese projects could trigger flash floods or create water scarcity and environmental concerns.
For India, the Brahmaputra accounts for nearly 30% of freshwater resources and 40% of the total hydropower potential of the country.
Sources say that it is a matter of concern that, after the construction of the dam, China can divert the water of the Brahmaputra. Not only this, but it can release a lot of water through this dam at any time, which can cause flood-like situations in Arunachal Pradesh and Assam.
The project is also seen as significant for the people of Arunachal Pradesh in terms of livelihood and employment opportunities. When the dam is built, India’s capacity to store water will increase. Sources say that the risk of flooding will also reduce considerably after this project.
