Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu has warned that the massive China dam threat Arunachal poses is nothing short of a “ticking water bomb.” He expressed deep concern over China’s ongoing construction of a mega dam on the Yarlung Tsangpo river, which becomes the Siang and eventually the Brahmaputra in India.
Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Khandu highlighted the potential risks this dam poses to the fragile water and ecological balance of India’s Northeastern states. He urged the central government to take diplomatic and strategic steps before it’s too late.
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China dam threat Arunachal raises alarm across Northeast
The Chinese government is building what is believed to be the world’s largest hydroelectric dam on the Yarlung Tsangpo river in Tibet’s Medog County, near the Arunachal Pradesh border. Once completed, the dam could generate over 60 gigawatts of power — three times the capacity of the Three Gorges Dam.
However, experts and Indian officials are increasingly worried about the project’s downstream impact. The China dam threat to Arunachal has become a pressing issue, especially during monsoon season when floods and landslides are common.
“China may say it’s for electricity, but the scale and location suggest other motives,” Khandu said. “We’re talking about control over the Brahmaputra’s flow — our lifeline.”
Ecological and geopolitical implications
The China dam threat Arunachal brings is not just about water supply but also about environmental risks and regional stability. The Brahmaputra river basin supports millions of people in Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, and Bangladesh. A sudden release or diversion of water could trigger devastating floods, erosion, or even dry spells.
Khandu compared the situation to a water bomb placed upstream. “If they decide to release excess water during peak monsoon, the damage to Assam and Arunachal will be unimaginable,” he said.
Environmentalists also echoed this concern. They warn that damming the Yarlung Tsangpo in such a seismically active zone could lead to disasters if an earthquake damages the structure. The northeastern region lies in a high-risk seismic zone, making such mega projects even more dangerous.
Arunachal CM urges Centre to act swiftly
Raising the matter in recent meetings with Union ministries, Khandu has called for proactive measures from the Indian government. These include real-time river flow data sharing, enhanced satellite monitoring, and joint diplomatic talks with Beijing.
The China dam threat Arunachal faces also demands local preparedness. Khandu mentioned that the state government is working with disaster management authorities to map vulnerable zones and create flood response plans in lower Siang and other districts.
He also urged residents not to panic but to remain alert. “Preparedness is our best defence while the Centre handles this diplomatically,” he said.
India’s response and global concerns
The Indian Ministry of External Affairs has expressed its own concerns over the Chinese dam, stressing the importance of ensuring that projects on transboundary rivers do not affect the rights and interests of downstream states.
India has long advocated for a legally binding river-sharing agreement with China, but progress has been slow. Meanwhile, satellite images and Chinese state media confirm that construction continues at a rapid pace.
The China dam threat Arunachal brings is also being closely watched by Bangladesh, which fears reduced water flow into the Ganges-Brahmaputra Delta. Experts call for a trilateral water diplomacy mechanism between India, China, and Bangladesh to address long-term issues.
The warning from Pema Khandu underscores the gravity of the China dam threat Arunachal now faces. As China’s mega-dam project moves forward, the ecological and geopolitical stakes are rising for India and its Northeastern region.
While diplomatic engagement remains the primary solution, Arunachal Pradesh is not taking chances. With flood preparation plans and national coordination underway, the state is preparing for the worst while hoping for peaceful dialogue and transparency from its northern neighbour.
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