Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu has sounded a strong warning over China’s mega dam project on the Yarlung Tsangpo river near the Indian border. In an interview with PTI, Khandu called the hydropower project a “ticking water bomb” and said it could become an existential threat for the people of his state and downstream regions.
China’s dam poses existential risk to tribes and land
“The issue is that China cannot be trusted. No one knows what they might do,” Khandu said. Expressing deep concerns, he stated, “Setting aside the military threat from China, it seems to me that this is a far bigger issue than anything else. It is going to cause an existential threat to our tribes and our livelihoods. It is quite serious because China could even use this as a sort of ‘water bomb’.”
Lack of water-sharing agreement adds to risk
The CM highlighted that China is not a signatory to any international water-sharing agreement, which means it is not obligated to follow globally accepted rules. “Suppose the dam is built and they suddenly release water, our entire Siang belt would be destroyed. In particular, the Adi tribe and similar groups… would see all their property, land, and especially human life, suffer devastating effects,” he said.
India working on defence via Siang Upper Multipurpose Project
Khandu mentioned that India has initiated its own protective measure — the Siang Upper Multipurpose Project — to safeguard water resources and reduce risks. “I believe China is either about to start or has already started work on their side. But they do not share any information. In the long run, if the dam is completed, our Siang and Brahmaputra rivers could dry up considerably,” he warned.
India monitoring situation closely
He added that if India completes its dam project as planned, it would be able to manage its water resources better and counter potential floods. “If China releases water in the future, there will definitely be flooding, but it can be controlled,” Khandu noted.
In March, the central government assured Parliament that it is “carefully monitoring” developments related to the Brahmaputra river and is taking “appropriate measures” to protect national interests.
Details of China’s mega dam project
The massive Yarlung Tsangpo dam, announced after Premier Li Keqiang’s 2021 border visit, is part of a five-year $137 billion plan approved in 2024. Once completed, the dam is expected to generate 60,000 MW of electricity, making it the largest hydropower project globally. It is located in a seismically sensitive Himalayan zone, raising environmental and safety concerns.
