Guwahati: Assam government has raised its grave concern over China not sharing hydrological data on Brahmaputra River during this monsoon as per the existing bi-lateral pact with Government of India and is calling upon the Government of India to pursue the matter with Government of China on urgent basis.
Assam’s senior cabinet minister Dr Himanta Bishwa Sarma on Wednesday pointed out that the third wave of flood in Assam since August 10, which has so far claimed 70 lives and affected over 30 lakh people in 25 districts, occurred suddenly though there was no heavy rainfall in the state or in the upper reaches in Arunachal Pradesh in the preceding days.
“So where had the water in the Brahmaputra River came from and most probably from Tibet region. But there was no prediction about it and may be because no data was available from China about any heavy precipitation in Tibet region where the Brahmaputra originates. It is a very serious concern for us,” he added.
“When there is heavy precipitation in Tibet region of China it takes 3-4 days the excess volume of water to reach Assam through Brahmaputra channel. So when hydrological data is shared by China during the monsoon period it helps to adequately prepare for flood in the event of heavy rainfall in Tibet region,” Sarma further commented.
The minister said the Government of Assam had taken a very serious view of China not sharing hydrological data on Brahmaputra during the monsoon as per the existing agreement with India. He said the matter would be taken up with the Government of India so that concern of the people of flood-affected Assam was conveyed to the Government of China.
Reacting to media reports that China won’t share monsoon data of Indian rivers that originate in China till Doklam stand-off continues, the senior minister said, “There is need for creation of strong public opinion in Assam against such unilateral action of China on violation of existing agreement with Government of India so that the matter comes to the notice of international community who in turn can exert pressure on China against such design.”
“Notwithstanding the stand-off at Doklam, the government of China should have shared hydrological data on humanitarian ground so that action could be taken in time to provide succor to people in the event of heavy flood in Assam,” the minister said.