ITANAGAR, Mar 30: The Centre is alive to the concern over the reported formation of three natural dams in the Yorlung Tsangpo river and is carefully monitoring the water flow in the Brahmaputra for early detection of any abnormality, said External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj.
‘The government, in close cooperation with various state governments which are the users of the waters of the Brahmaputra, continues to carefully monitor the water flow in the Brahmaputra for early detection of any abnormality, so that corrective and preventive measures can be taken to safeguard life and property of the people,’ the external affairs minister wrote to MP Ninong Ering.
Ering, MP from Arunachal Pradesh, on 7 February this year had drawn the attention of the Centre towards the formation of the natural dams in the Yarlung Tsangpo (or Zangbo) and the potential danger being posed by the artificial debris dams to the states of Arunachal Pradesh and Assam.
She said the government has consistently conveyed its views and concerns to the Chinese authorities, including at the highest levels, and has urged them to ensure that the interests of downstream states are not harmed by any activities in the upstream areas.
‘I personally raised the issue of recent development related to the Siang river with the Chinese foreign minister during his visit to India in December 2017. The Chinese embassy on 2 January clarified that there were no artificial lakes in relevant parts of the Yarlung Zangbo river,’ Swaraj wrote.
She said that the government will remain engaged with China on the issue of trans-border rivers, including through the institutionalized expert level mechanism which was established in 2006.
