Latest news with #GeoNews
News18
14 hours ago
- Politics
- News18
Explained: Can China Really Stop The Flow Of Brahmaputra Water To India?
Last Updated: Taking technical, geographical and geopolitical factors into consideration, while China can alter the flow of Brahmaputra to some extent, it cannot fully stop it. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has hit back at Pakistan for claiming China could choke the flow of the Brahmaputra to India with facts, stating that the river 'grows in India, not shrinks". His remarks came after a senior aide to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Rana Ihsaan Afzal, claimed that the suspension of Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan could set a precedent for China to block the Brahmaputra River to India. 'If India does something like this, they stop the flow to Pakistan, then China can also do the same thing. But if things like this happen, then the entire world will be in a war," Afzal told Geo News. But, can China really stop the flow of Brahmaputra river to India? Taking technical, geographical and geopolitical factors into consideration, while China can alter the flow of Brahmaputra to some extent, it cannot fully stop it. In fact, altering the flow, too, could have major implications. Here's a closer look at why China cannot fully stop Brahmaputra's flow into India: Partial Control Due To Geography According to an article on China accounts for only 22 to 30 per cent of the total Brahmaputra River Basin's discharge. The article has been authored by PK Saxena, former Indian Commissioner for Indus Waters and Adviser, Ken Betwa Link Project Authority, Bhopal, and Teerath Singh Mehra, former commissioner, Brahmaputra and Barak, Ministry of Jal Shakti, Government of India. The authors say that the Tibetan weather and scanty rainfall and snowfall amounting to 4-12 inches per annum are mainly responsible for this. They also mention that Bhutan, despite its small size, contributes an equally significant 21 per cent while covering only 6.7 per cent of the river basin. Meanwhile, the Indian basin, which covers 34.2 per cent of the area, they say, contributes the maximum, 39 per cent, of the total discharge in the Brahmaputra River. 'Only 14 per cent of the entire Brahmaputra flow is therefore in the river before it enters India. The balance 86 per cent is contributed by the rains and monsoons in India. It is thus evident that China's contribution to the river flow of the Brahmaputra is minor, though not insignificant," the article says. Assam CM Sarma, in his post on X, mentioned, 'China contributes only ~30–35% of the Brahmaputra's total flow — mostly through glacial melt and limited Tibetan rainfall. The remaining 65–70% is generated within India, thanks to: Torrential monsoon rainfall in Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Nagaland, and Meghalaya, Major tributaries like Subansiri, Lohit, Kameng, Manas, Dhansiri, Jia-Bharali, Kopili and additional inflows from the Khasi, Garo, and Jaintia Hills via rivers such as Krishnai, Digaru, and Kulsi." 'At the Indo-China border (Tuting): Flow is ~2,000–3,000 m³/s. In Assam plains (e.g., Guwahati): Flow swells to 15,000–20,000 m³/s during monsoon," he added. China's Dam Construction China has approved the construction of the world's largest hydroelectric dam on the Brahmaputra (Yarlung Tsangpo in Tibet), which involves diverting part of the river's flow through tunnels to generate hydropower. While it poses concerns for India over China altering the flow of water, the concerns are seasonal (specially in non-monsoon months). Assam CM Sarma had in January flagged concerns over China's proposed dam on the Brahmaputra in Tibet, saying the project will make the entire ecosystem fragile and dry. He also said the dam will make Assam depend on rainwater from Arunachal Pradesh and Bhutan. According to a PTI report, Sarma had also said the Government of India communicated its concern to the Chinese side. 'We have already communicated that if this dam comes then the Brahmaputra ecosystem will become fragile and dry and then we will depend on the rainwater from Arunachal Pradesh and Bhutan," he said. However, the project poses challenges for China as well. According to a report in Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post, the Tibetan plateau is seismically active, making large dam projects risky with probabilities of big earthquakes. Any malfunction or natural disaster could cause catastrophic flooding downstream, which would be detrimental to China's own interests. The construction of the dam, hence, comes with its own engineering challenges. According to a Business Today report, experts have warned that if the dam fails due to seismic activity, structural flaws, or sabotage, the impact could devastate Arunachal Pradesh and Assam 'in minutes". The construction of the dam also poses the risk of flooding of northeast Indian states with China controlling the flow of water downstream. Meanwhile, India is also advancing the Siang Upper Multipurpose Project in Arunachal Pradesh, aiming to generate 11,000 MW of hydropower. The project is intended to bolster energy security and counterbalance China's upstream activities, but faces local opposition due to environmental and displacement concerns. Geopolitical Implications Of Altering The Flow China has not shared upstream hydrological data with India since 2022. Any unilateral action by China to manipulate the Brahmaputra river's flow could worsen India-China relations and complicate regional security dynamics. Not just India, any restriction to the flow could also harm China's diplomatic relations with Bangladesh, too, which will be impacted by any such alteration. With such geographical limitations and geopolitical concerns, China cannot fully stop the Brahmaputra river flow into India. A large volume of the river is generated within India itself. While China's dam projects and control over the upper reaches give it some leverage, the river's strength downstream and regional geopolitical realities limit China's ability to 'weaponize the water". First Published: June 03, 2025, 14:36 IST News explainers Explained: Can China Really Stop The Flow Of Brahmaputra Water To India?
Indian Express
14 hours ago
- Indian Express
Over 200 prisoners escape from Pakistan jail during evacuation after earthquake
At least 216 prisoners escaped from a Pakistani jail after chaos erupted during a precautionary evacuation following an earthquake in the region, according to media reports on Tuesday. One inmate was killed, and three paramilitary Frontier Corps personnel and one jail staff were injured in the Monday night incident in Karachi's Malir jail, Geo News reported. According to prison authorities, over 80 prisoners have been recaptured. Karachi has been hit by a series of earthquakes in the last 24 hours. Jail Superintendent Arshad Shah said over 600 prisoners were taken out from their barracks during the tremors. 'Amid the chaos, 216 managed to flee,' the report quoted Shah as saying. He added that over 135 prisoners remain at large, and search efforts are ongoing. Law enforcement authorities have launched a joint operation to track down the remaining escapees. Sindh's Home Minister Zia-ul-Hasan Lanjar termed the incident the 'most serious jailbreak' in recent years, the report said. The minister said that all escaped inmates were identified, and targeted raids were underway at their residences and adjoining areas. He added that an enquiry committee would be formed to investigate the incident. Malir Jail housed over 6,000 inmates at the time of the incident, most of whom were involved in drug-related cases, the report said, quoting prison officials. Karachi has experienced 16 mild earthquakes since Sunday, according to the Seismic Monitoring Centre of the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD).
The Hindu
16 hours ago
- The Hindu
Over 200 prisoners escape from Pakistan jail during evacuation after earthquake
At least 216 prisoners escaped from a Pakistani jail after chaos erupted during a precautionary evacuation following an earthquake in the region, according to media reports on Tuesday (June 3, 2025). One inmate was killed, and three paramilitary Frontier Corps personnel and one jail staff were injured in the Monday (June 2, 2025) night incident in Karachi's Malir jail, Geo News reported. According to prison authorities, over 80 prisoners have been recaptured. Karachi has been hit by a series of earthquakes in the last 24 hours. Jail Superintendent Arshad Shah said over 600 prisoners were taken out from their barracks during the tremors. "Amid the chaos, 216 managed to flee,' the report quoted Shah as saying. He added that over 135 prisoners remain at large, and search efforts are ongoing. Law enforcement authorities have launched a joint operation to track down the remaining escapees. Sindh's Home Minister Zia-ul-Hasan Lanjar termed the incident the "most serious jailbreak" in recent years, the report said. The Minister said that all escaped inmates were identified, and targeted raids were underway at their residences and adjoining areas. He added that an enquiry committee would be formed to investigate the incident. Malir Jail housed over 6,000 inmates at the time of the incident, most of whom were involved in drug-related cases, the report said, quoting prison officials. Karachi has experienced 16 mild earthquakes since Sunday, according to the Seismic Monitoring Centre of the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD).
News18
21 hours ago
- Politics
- News18
Himanta Tears Into Pakistan Over Brahmaputra River Threat: 'Even If China...'
Last Updated: Himanta Biswa Sarma blasted Pakistan over its claim that the suspension of IWT could set a precedent for China to block water of Brahmaputra to India. In a sharp response to Pakistan's latest 'scare narrative", Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday took down the rhetoric that China could choke the flow of the Brahmaputra to India with facts, stating that the river 'grows in India, not shrinks". His remarks came after a senior aide to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Rana Ihsaan Afzal, claimed that the suspension of Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan could set a precedent for China to block the Brahmaputra River to India. 'If India does something like this, they stop the flow to Pakistan, then China can also do the same thing. But if things like this happen, then the entire world will be in a war," Afzal told Geo News. Himanta Biswa Sarma Tears Pakistan Narrative Taking to X, Sarma dismissed the possibility of China cutting off Brahmaputra's waters, describing the claims to be Pakistan's latest 'manufactured threat" in the wake of India's move to put Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance. 'After India decisively moved away from the outdated Indus Waters Treaty, Pakistan is now spinning another manufactured threat: 'What if China stops the Brahmaputra's water to India?"," Sarma posted on X. What If China Stops Brahmaputra Water to India?A Response to Pakistan's New Scare NarrativeAfter India decisively moved away from the outdated Indus Waters Treaty, Pakistan is now spinning another manufactured threat:'What if China stops the Brahmaputra's water to India?"… — Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) June 2, 2025 Setting the record straight with geographical and hydrological data, the Chief Minister of the northeastern state emphasised that China contributes only 30–35% of the Brahmaputra's total flow—largely through glacial melt and limited rainfall over Tibet. He said that a vast majority (65–70%) of the river's volume is generated in India through monsoon rainfall and a chain of tributaries. 'The remaining 65–70% is generated within India, thanks to: Torrential monsoon rainfall in Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Nagaland, and Meghalaya. Major tributaries like Subansiri, Lohit, Kameng, Manas, Dhansiri, Jia-Bharali, Kopili. Additional inflows from the Khasi, Garo, and Jaintia Hills via rivers such as Krishnai, Digaru, and Kulsi," Sarma said. Brahmaputra Strengthens After Entering India: Himanta He underlined that the strength of the river intensifies only after entering Indian territory. 'At the Indo-China border (Tuting): Flow is ~2,000–3,000 m³/s. In Assam plains (e.g., Guwahati): Flow swells to 15,000–20,000 m³/s during monsoon," he said. The Chief Minister flipped Pakistan's narrative on its head and said any reduction in the river's water by China 'may actually help India mitigate the annual floods in Assam." 'Even if China were to reduce water flow (unlikely as China has never threatened or indicated in any official forum), it may actually help India mitigate the annual floods in Assam, which displace lakhs and destroy livelihoods every year. Meanwhile, Pakistan — which has exploited 74 years of preferential water access under the Indus Waters Treaty — now panics as India rightfully reclaims its sovereign rights," he said. The Chief Minister said that Brahmaputra is not controlled by a single source, but is 'powered by our geography, our monsoon, and our civilisational resilience". First Published: June 03, 2025, 08:10 IST
Time of India
25-05-2025
- Climate
- Time of India
Deadly storms kill 18, injure nearly 100 across Pakistan
Heavy storms in Pakistan's Punjab province (Image credits: ANI) A storm hit multiple districts in Pakistan's Punjab province, leading to the collapse of dilapidated buildings and unsafe structures and killing 8 people and injuring 45 others, according to the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA). Out of eight, three deaths took place in Jhelum, while Rawalpindi, Sheikhupura, Nankana Sahib, Sialkot, and Mianwali each reported one fatality, ANI reported, citing Pakistani news site Geo News. Meanwhile, one of the districts of Punjab province, Lahore, witnessed the death of 10 people and 51 injuries due to heavy rains and storms. Several incidents of fallen trees and damaged solar panels were also reported. In response, Punjab chief minister Maryam Nawaz instructed the administration and rescue teams to remain on high alert amid severe weather conditions across the province. A day earlier, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) had issued a weather advisory, forecasting isolated showers, thunderstorms, windstorms, and dust storms over the next 12 to 36 hours in parts of Punjab, Islamabad, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Vulnerable areas included Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Jhelum, Lahore, and several surrounding districts. In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, similar conditions were expected to impact regions such as Peshawar, Abbottabad, Mardan, and Dera Ismail Khan, according to Geo News.
