Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu issued a stark warning on December 26th, emphasizing the grave consequences should China complete its ambitious Yarlung Dam project and subsequently release stored water. According to Khandu, this could trigger catastrophic flooding, submerging major cities and regions across Northeast India and Bangladesh.
This stark assessment comes amidst intensifying local protests against India’s proposed countermeasure – the 11,000 MW Siang Multipurpose Project.
“Pasighat, Guwahati, and even Bangladesh could face devastating floods if China releases stored water from their dam,” Khandu declared, highlighting growing concerns regarding upstream Chinese hydroelectric developments on the Tsangpo River, which flows into India as the Siang and later merges with the Brahmaputra.
Technical assessments paint a grim picture, predicting that Pasighat could be inundated under 12 meters of water, while Guwahati faces the potential of being submerged under 5 meters of floodwater. These alarming projections have accelerated India’s push for the Siang project as a crucial defensive measure.
State officials emphasize the multifaceted benefits of the Siang project, framing it as critical infrastructure for flood control, water security, and power generation. The development plan also encompasses the creation of essential social infrastructure, including hospitals, colleges, and improved road connectivity.
However, the project has encountered significant opposition from local communities residing along the Siang belt. Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein defended the recent deployment of central security forces in the region, clarifying that their primary objective was to ensure the safety of survey equipment and personnel. “We are not anti-people, nor are we anti-Arunachal,” Mein emphasized.
While villagers express concerns regarding potential displacement and severe ecological damage, state leadership maintains that the Siang project is essential to safeguard the region from potential water-related aggression from China.
“This project is crucial for national security and to prevent our river from drying up,” Khandu stressed, acknowledging China’s ongoing construction of a 60,000 MW project upstream. As tensions persist, state officials continue to advocate for open dialogue with affected communities while emphasizing the project’s critical role in mitigating emerging water security threats.
