Foreign Policy Watch: India-China

What if China stops Brahmaputra Water? 

Why in the News?

Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma dismissed Pakistan’s claim about China blocking the Brahmaputra’s water as a baseless panic tactic with no scientific substance.

Sarma’s Clarification on the Brahmaputra Issue:

  • Brahmaputra is an Indian river and not fully controlled by China.
  • Only about 30–35% of the river’s flow comes from China, mainly through glacial melt and rainfall on the Tibetan Plateau.
  • A major 65–70% of the river’s volume is generated within India, especially from monsoon rains and Indian tributaries.
  • He explained that the river’s flow increases from 2,000–3,000 cubic metres/second at the Indo-China border to 15,000–20,000 m³/s in Assam during the monsoon.
  • This proves that India plays a dominant role in sustaining the river, not China.
  • Even if China tried to restrict the river’s flow, it could help reduce annual floods in Assam that displace thousands of people.
  • He confirmed that China has never threatened to weaponize the Brahmaputra.

About Brahmaputra River System:

  • The Brahmaputra River System is one of the major Himalayan drainage systems, along with the Ganga and Indus.
  • Stretch: It stretches over 2,900 kilometres, making it one of the longest rivers in Asia.
  • Origin: It originates in the Chemayungdung glacier in southwestern Tibet, where it is known as the Tsangpo River.
  • Catchment countries:
    • The river flows through Tibet, India (Arunachal Pradesh and Assam), and Bangladesh.
    • In Tibet, the river flows slowly with a wide, navigable channel for about 640 km.
    • Upon entering India through Arunachal Pradesh, it becomes the Dihang, and later merges with Lohit and Dibang rivers to be called the Brahmaputra.
    • In Bangladesh, it is called the Jamuna, which merges with the Ganga (Padma) and Meghna before flowing into the Bay of Bengal.
  • The world’s largest and smallest river islands, Majuli and Umananda, are located on the Brahmaputra in Assam.
  • Important Tributaries:
    • Left-bank tributaries: Lhasa, Nyang, Parlung Zangbo, Lohit, Dhanashri, Kolong
    • Right-bank tributaries: Kameng, Manas, Beki, Raidak, Jaldhaka, Teesta, Subansiri
  • States the River Flows Through in India: Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, West Bengal, and Sikkim.
  • Major Cities on the River: Dibrugarh, Pasighat, Neamati, Tezpur, and Guwahati.
  • Major Hydel Projects:
    • Arunachal Pradesh: Subansiri, Kameng, Ranganadi, etc.
    • Assam: Kopili
    • Sikkim: Teesta, Rangit
    • Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram: Multiple local hydropower stations
[UPSC 2016] With reference to the Brahmaputra River, which of the following is/are tributary/ tributaries of Brahmaputra?

1. Dibang

2. Kameng

3. Lohit

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

Options: (a) 1 only (b) 2 and 3 only (c) 1 and 3 only (d)1, 2 and 3*

 

Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor for UPSC 2024

Attend Now

Subscribe
Notify of
0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

JOIN THE COMMUNITY

Join us across Social Media platforms.

💥UPSC 2026, 2027 UAP Mentorship - June Batch Starts
💥UPSC 2026, 2027 UAP Mentorship - June Batch Starts