China’s construction of a massive 60,000 megawatt dam on the Yarlung Tsangpo River in Medog, near the Arunachal Pradesh border, has raised serious concerns about potential severe flooding in the region. In response, senior BJP MLA Ninong Ering has demanded immediate intervention from the Centre.
Ering, a former Union minister, highlighted the risks posed by the dam. “We cannot trust our ‘neighbour’. They can either divert the entire river flow, drying up our Siang, or release water at once, causing unprecedented flood havoc downstream,” he stated. The Yarlung Tsangpo, known as the Siang in Arunachal Pradesh and the Brahmaputra in Assam, eventually flows into Bangladesh as the Jamuna before joining the Bay of Bengal.
Participating in the motion of thanks to the governor’s address, Ering highlighted the potential trans-boundary impacts of the dam, warning that it could affect not only Bharat but also Bangladesh. “People’s safety and country’s security cannot be compromised. Our motto should be ‘Nation First’, and we have to think about Bharat’s security,” he asserted.
Ering advocated for the construction of dams with storage capacities to mitigate flood risks in the region. He pointed out the absence of a water treaty between Bharat and China, which exacerbates the uncertainty surrounding the dam’s impact. He also suggested involving anti-dam activists in discussions to ensure that the interests of the local population are considered. “Hydropower is Arunachal Pradesh’s only resource,” he added, underlining the strategic importance of water management in the state.
Chief Minister Pema Khandu had previously informed that the Centre is contemplating the construction of a large barrage on the Siang River to safeguard the area against potential threats from the Chinese dam.
“In case of release of excessive water, we need to have big structures to protect ourselves from floods. The Centre, too, has expressed concern about the position of the Siang river once the Chinese project is completed. We have to keep Siang alive. If there is a diversion of water by China, massive land erosion will take place,” Khandu had remarked.
Ering’s urgent call for action underscores the broader geopolitical and environmental stakes associated with the Chinese mega-dam, highlighting the critical need for regional cooperation and robust infrastructure to safeguard against potential disasters.
