Monday, March 4, 2013

Chinese dams in Tibet

Chinese dams in Tibet


China is building  a series of dams over the Brahmaputra (Yarlung Tsangpo) in Tibet.  At Zangmu, a 510 MW dam is already under construction and due for completion by 2014. 

According to latest reports, three more dams have been approved for construction. Two of these dams, Dagu (640 MW) and Jiexu (capacity unconfirmed) are 18 km and 11 km upstream of Zangmu, respectively. The third one at Jiacha (320 MW), is downstream. These projects are likely to be completed by 2015.


China has been denying  undertaking any dam construction activity on the Brahmaputra. It was only in April 2010 that Yang Jiechi, Chinese Foreign Minister, officially acknowledged the construction of Zangmu dam. Beijing gave an assurance that being a “run of the river” project, it will not adversely impact the flow downstream. 

In 2005, the Pareechu episode, had resulted in flash floods in the Sutlej, causing extensive damage. 

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