New Delhi: A Kerala like flood situation in Northeast India is feared not only due to the heavy rains in the region but also because of next door neighbour China releasing huge amount of water from the Tsangpo (Brahmaputra) on its side following a record down pour.
The Chinese authorities alerted India about the unprecedented situation where Tsangpo broke a 150-year record with swollen waters. China has also informed India about a possible flood-like situation in downstream states of Arunachal Pradesh and Assam which might have a cascading effect on other states too.
However, the Central Water Commission (CWC) has, said that the situation should not create panic as an increase in China’s Tsangpo river should not inflict very severe damages on the Indian side, even as it asked the states to remain vigilant. The NE states of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland and parts of Meghalaya are already affected by floods this season.
According to a Chinese government report, 9020 cumecs of water was discharged into Tsangpo as observed at various stations until Wednesday. The Tsangpo river originates from China’s Tibet and flows into Arunachal Pradesh, where it is called Siang, and then Assam, where it becomes the Brahmaputra, and later drains into the Bay of Bengal through Bangladesh.
This was the first time this year that China shared the river data with India, the official said. The sharing of data came after the two sides held talks over the issue in March this year.
China provides data from three hydrological stations — Nugesha, Yangcun and Nuxia, lying on the mainstream of the Brahmaputra, also known as Yarlung Zangbu by Beijing. It also shares data from the hydrological station at Tsada for the Sutlej river, known as Langqen Zangbo.
Meanwhile, Mr Mebo MLA Lombo Tayeng, Advisor to Chief Minister Mr Pema Khandu, said that river water at present is “totally muddy which indicates that there might be some activities in the Chinese side”. The MLA also urged upon the Centre to take up the matter with Beijing and sought flood control measures.
The unusually high waves in the Siang river have created panic among the people of the two Arunachal Pradesh districts. The administration has cautioned the people to refrain from venturing into it for fishing, swimming and other activities.
A red alert has been sounded for residents of Borguli, Seram, Namsing, Mer and Sigar villages on the left bank of Siang as water volume in the river is rising, he said adding it was due to large-scale siltation on the river bed. Hundreds of villages in low laying areas have started fleeing from their homes and taken shelter in upper areas.
If Brahmaputra swells any further following the rainfall in China, it could be especially devastating for the state. Assam is highly flood-prone even in normal monsoon conditions.
The state’s river waters collect a tremendous amount of silt and other debris and raise the level of the river beds. Therefore, it becomes impossible for the main channel to cope with the vast volume of water received during the rains.
