‘China’s artificial lakes may pose a threat to Northeast’

GUWAHATI LANDSLIDEINDUCED LAKES IN TIBET REGION MAY GIVE WAY, LEADING TO A HUGE DELUGE IN ARUNACHAL, ASSAM

: Three artificial lakes formed in the Yarlung Tsangpo river in the Tibet region following an earthquake last month could pose a threat to millions of people in Arunachal Pradesh and Assam, experts have said.

The landslide-induced lakes were formed after a 6.4 magnitude quake rocked Nyingchi in southern China on November 17.

Yarlung Tsangpo is known as Siang in Arunachal Pradesh and becomes the Brahmaputra after joining the Lohit. India worries that these three dams and lakes may give way, leading to a huge deluge downstream.

“If there is a sudden breach in these lakes, there could be largescale devastation. The Indian government should take the issue up with China and ensure such an eventuality doesn’t happen,” water expert Dulal Goswami told the Hindustan Times.

The fear is not entirely unfounded. In June 2000, at least 30 people were killed and there was a significant loss to property in Arunachal Pradesh after an artificial lake burst on the Yigong Tsangpo river.

While the formation of the three lakes is not good news for people of the region, some experts say there might not be an immediate cause of worry.

“Luckily, the incident happened when there is less rainfall and the amount of water in the Yarlung Tsangpo is relatively less. So there is no cause of much concern immediately,” said Mirza Zulfiqur Rahman, senior research fellow, Indian Institute of Technology-Guwahati (IIT-G).

However, there’s a unanimity on the issue that there should be more clarity on part of the government agencies while disseminating news of such events so that there is no panic among the millions who could be affected.

Responding to the concerns caused by the artifical lakes, China Tuesday said it will maintain communication with India over the transboundary rivers.

“According to verification by the relevant authorities, I can tell you that this lake is to the east section of the China-India boundary. It is caused by natural factors, it is not man-made,” Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said.

“We hope the Indian media will not make a groundless speculation on this and the Chinese side will...maintain communication with the Indian side on the cross-border rivers.” Hua said.