China’s move to construct the world's largest dam on the Yarlung Tsangpo river, which is a high-altitude section of the Brahmaputra that flows through China-controlled Tibet to India and Bangladesh, sent alarm bells ringing in India and Bangladesh. When completed, China expects to generate an estimated 60 million kilowatts of hydropower, concerns have been expressed about the environmental and social costs surrounding the project. The project's location on the Brahmaputra River, flowing downstream to India and Bangladesh, is cause for tension as both countries rely heavily on the river’s water and are thus anxious about leaving the flow of the river in China's control.
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China, however, has defended its plan, saying the ₹137 billion project will not “negatively affect” lower riparian states and that safety issues have been addressed through decades of studies. Yet, considering that the Brahmaputra accounts for nearly 30% of India’s freshwater resources, many have raised concerns about China's tinkering with the Yarlung dam upriver. There is apprehension of India facing a “twin disaster” if the new dam is actually built. Reports indicate that as the dam engulfs the flow of the Brahmaputra river, India could stand to face acute shortages due to weakened flow in the winter season. Conversely, if China releases excess water from the structure during its monsoons, future flash floods could become a more frequent sight for India downriver. India must keep a close watch.