China's new dams in the Yarlung Tsangpo

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CWA # 490, 7 June 2021
China's new dams in the Yarlung Tsangpo
India should invest in technology to meet China's water challenge

  Sarthak Jain

By analyzing data from temperature change, patterns of wind movements, formation of the storm and other cloud patterns, ISRO can really make a huge difference.

As part of China's 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25), China has been constructing hydropower dams near the Yarlung Tsangpo river. A specific 50 km section of the bend will be utilized, making the water drop 2,000 meters. It will generate  60 GW of electricity. Electricity generation through these dams is expected to fulfil the energy needs of mainland Chinese cities.

Liu Chuanzheng, a government researcher, under the natural resources ministry in Beijing, raised grave concerns over the natural instability in the region. He wrote in Geology in China that the development and utilization of natural resources and energy in the Yarlung Tsangpo River must fully consider the situation of avalanches and debris which flows in the Sedongpu valley. The region where the dam is being built is highly prone to earthquakes as well. Seismicity in the Himalaya region predominantly results from the collision of the India and Eurasia continental plates. They are converging at a relative rate of 40–50 mm/yr. In case an earthquake of 6.5 or higher magnitude hits that region it will be a massive humanitarian disaster.

This has become a matter of great concern for India and Bangladesh because China's "Super" dam can be used as a tool. Experts believe that Beijing is taking advantage of being an upper riparian state. 

India's Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said in a media briefing that India has shared its concerns with China about the dam's construction. Beijing has assured the hydro project would not divert the flow of the Brahmaputra. However, China has assured that those dams will be run-of-the-river types, and so there is no question of blocking the water flow of the mighty river. But history has something else to show. The Diplomat reported that in March 2012, the Brahmaputra had run completely dry at a place called Pasighat in Arunachal Pradesh of India. After a few hours, the Brahmaputra became filled up with onrushing water. It shows that the water in the upper region is being controlled.

Options for India
T S Mehra, a senior official in the Union water ministry, told Reuters that the need of the hour is to have a big dam in Arunachal Pradesh. This will lessen the adverse impact of the Chinese dam projects. Investment in building a dam might solve the problems of water scarcity and electricity generation. But the more significant problem of dependency on China still remains. New Delhi should look for a long term sustainable solution. 

An innovative solution to such a problem involves investment in technology. Beijing agreed to share information regarding the waters of Satluj and Brahmaputra since 2006. Under the 'Transactional notion of reciprocity', India is paying Rs. 82 lakhs to the Chinese. In return they provide hydrological data from three remotely located stations in Tibet to India. This assistance came under suspicion during the Doklam face-off. Reports about hydrological data were not shared with India.

To deal with such dependency, India must utilize its satellites. By analyzing data from temperature change, patterns of wind movements, formation of the storm and other cloud patterns, ISRO can really make a huge difference. India can have a report on weather change over a region, for a prompt response to prevent loss of life as well as resources. In the line to acquire information ISRO has launched several satellites in the Lower Earth Orbit (LEO). 

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), USA places itself as one of the globally recognized technologies in the field of weather forecasting systems. This organization has played a vital role is providing accurate forecasting about extreme weathers in the US.

Among the various types of equipment used by NOAA, one is Doppler radar towers. It is considered to be a meteorologist's window into observing severe storms. They detect all types of precipitation, the rotation of thunderstorm clouds, airborne tornado debris, and wind strength and direction. Its potential has been significantly enhanced when it is assisted by supercomputers and Advanced Weather Information Processing System (AWIPS). 

With ISRO's satellites in LEO and world-class technological assistance from the USA, India is sure to meet the standards to tackle this issue. It will also enhance weather forecasting in the northeast region of India.

About the author

Sarthak Jain is pursuing post-graduation in International relations. Currently, he is researching on Afghanistan, Pakistan and Central Asia and its relations with EU.


 

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