Assam flood situation improves marginally, rivers showing receding trend
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Time of India
4 days ago
- Time of India
Brahmaputra's rampant erosion threatens Dibrugarh embankment
Dibrugarh: Massive erosion by the raging Brahmaputra has devoured vast stretches of land along the Dibrugarh Town Protection (DTP) Dyke in Maijan's Thakurbari area over the past 48 hours, bringing the river perilously close to the embankment. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The erosion, which began near Spur No 1 of the DTP embankment in the Thakurbari area, has carved away 70-80 metres of land vertically along a 250-metre stretch of the riverbank. The river, currently in full spate, now flows a mere 30 metres from the embankment — a distance so narrow that residents describe it as being at "touching distance". It is feared that if the erosion continues unchecked, the DTP Dyke — the only protection from the Brahmaputra — could be compromised, endangering Dibrugarh town. "The situation is extremely critical. There is heavy erosion. We've never seen the Brahmaputra come this close to the embankment in recent years," Bedanta Gogoi, a resident of Maijan said. The water resources department has mobilised men and machinery at the site, launching emergency anti-erosion measures since Friday afternoon. To combat the advancing river, workers are dumping mega geo bags along the vulnerable bank using boats, while reinforced cement concrete (RCC) porcupines are being laid to break the strong current and reduce its impact on the riverbank. "The erosion is rapid. Our teams are working round the clock to stem the river's advance and control the erosion. We are optimistic that our immediate intervention measures will stabilise the situation," a water resources department official said.
South China Morning Post
12-08-2025
- South China Morning Post
Tibet mega dam is China's chance to build confidence with India
China's mega dam construction on the Yarlung Tsangpo (Brahmaputra) River uncovers the vulnerabilities of transboundary water mechanisms. With India suspending the Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan and being in the process of reconsidering the Ganges Water Sharing Treaty with Bangladesh, water politics is getting more complicated day by day. This turn of events has cast doubt on the future of regional cooperation in South Asia. Even though the mega dam is China's most ambitious hydropower project and a symbol of clean energy and climate resilience, the project has stirred anxious discussions in downstream countries such as India and Bangladesh. This dam has been hailed as the project of the century and also as a milestone for both technology and the environment. Reports estimate that the dam will produce more than 300 billion kilowatt-hours of power annually. Meanwhile, it seeks to help China achieve its long-term goal of becoming carbon neutral. It would also add to China's goal of developing its border areas because of its location on the remote Tibetan Plateau. Besides job creation and industrial migration, this project can bring considerable growth, leading to the expansion of the Chinese economy. At the same time, downstream states such as Bangladesh and India are concerned about the massive project's design and its possible effects. While the project is steered towards renewable energy and sustainable development, it will also have a geopolitical impact. This gives the dam the perception of dual influence as it is a stepping stone to development that also has strategic consequences, reflecting the complex narratives shaping South Asia's water politics in the modern geopolitical landscape. South Asia is already experiencing a crisis with its transboundary water-sharing architecture, so the timing of the dam's construction is crucial.
India.com
09-08-2025
- India.com
Chinas Mega Dam Threatens To Devastate Bangladeshs Water Security, Economy: Report
For Bangladesh, a nation where over 160 million people depend on the Brahmaputra - known locally as the Jamuna - the consequences of China building a colossal $170 billion hydropower dam in Tibet could be catastrophic, a report cited on Saturday. "It represents more than just an engineering marvel — it stands as a stark indictment of Bangladesh's misplaced diplomatic priorities and naive trust in Beijing. As this mega-dam threatens to devastate Bangladesh's water security, economy, and environment, Dhaka's leadership must confront an uncomfortable truth: their extensive courting of China has blinded them to the very real dangers of hydro-hegemony," a Northeast News report detailed. It mentioned that the most damaging is the Chinese dam's impact on sediment flow as the nutrient-rich sediments carried by the Brahmaputra are essential for maintaining soil fertility across Bangladesh's delta region. By blocking these sediments, the report stated, China's dam threatens to undermine the "very foundation" of Bangladesh's agricultural productivity, potentially reducing rice yields by millions of tons annually. It detailed further that Bangladesh's leaders "would be wise to examine" China's behaviour on other transboundary rivers, particularly the Mekong, where Beijing's upstream dams have caused immense suffering for downstream nations, including Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam. "The lack of transparency surrounding the Brahmaputra project mirrors China's secretive approach on the Mekong. Despite repeated requests from Bangladesh for detailed environmental impact assessments and hydrological data, Beijing has provided minimal information, citing 'sovereignty' over its dam construction in Tibet. This opacity reflects a broader Chinese strategy of fait accompli—build first, negotiate later, if at all," the report highlighted. Bangladesh, it said, must fundamentally "recalibrate its foreign policy" to address the China challenge by taking several concrete steps. "Bangladesh should immediately demand that China halt dam construction until comprehensive environmental impact assessments are completed and shared with downstream nations. China's claims that the dam will have 'no negative impact' ring hollow, given Beijing's refusal to provide detailed studies. Bangladesh should make clear that proceeding without proper consultation constitutes an unfriendly act incompatible with the bilateral partnership China claims to value," it cited. The report mentioned further that Dhaka should work with India to establish a trilateral water-sharing framework that includes China. "Rather than accepting Chinese unilateralism, Bangladesh and India should present Beijing with joint demands for transparent water management. The combined diplomatic weight of the two largest downstream nations could compel Chinese engagement in ways that isolated bilateral protests cannot achieve," the Northeast News report emphasised. It also suggested that Bangladesh should accelerate economic and security cooperation with India to reduce Chinese leverage. "This includes fast-tracking the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement negotiations, expanding connectivity projects, and deepening defence ties. Greater integration with India's $3.7 trillion economy provides Bangladesh with alternatives to Chinese financing and markets."
