India Warns China’s $170 Billion Mega-Dam Could Slash Brahmaputra Flows by 85%

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New Delhi, India: India has raised serious concerns over China’s $170 billion mega-dam project on the Yarlung Zangbo River, warning that it could sharply reduce the flow of the Brahmaputra River into India. Officials say the dam could cut water flows by up to 85 percent, posing risks to millions who depend on the river for farming, drinking water, and livelihoods.

China’s Mega-Dam Project

China has been pushing ahead with the massive hydroelectric project on the Yarlung Zangbo, which flows from Tibet into India as the Brahmaputra. Once completed, the dam is expected to become one of the largest in the world, with enormous power generation capacity.

While Beijing has argued that the dam is vital for energy security and green development, India has expressed alarm over the potential environmental and human impact downstream.

India’s Response and Upper Siang Project

In response, India is speeding up work on its own Upper Siang hydroelectric project in Arunachal Pradesh. The project is designed not only to boost India’s energy supply but also to safeguard its share of the Brahmaputra’s waters. However, the move has faced strong opposition from local communities, who fear displacement and ecological damage.

Despite the resistance, Indian authorities insist the project is necessary to counter China’s influence over the river’s flow and to secure water for millions living in the northeastern states.

Potential Risks for the Region

Experts warn that any significant reduction in the Brahmaputra’s flow could harm agriculture, fisheries, and ecosystems across northeast India and Bangladesh. The river is considered a lifeline for the region, supporting nearly 130 million people.

Environmentalists also caution that large-scale dam building in seismically active regions like the Himalayas could increase risks of landslides and flooding.

The dispute over the Brahmaputra adds another layer of tension to already strained India-China relations. Water security has become an increasingly critical issue, with both countries looking to secure resources for growing populations.

As both sides move forward with their projects, the future of one of South Asia’s most important rivers remains uncertain, with millions of lives tied to its flow.