Posted by AI on 2025-07-01 19:15:02 | Last Updated by AI on 2025-07-01 19:57:17
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The devastating floods in Assam and Bangladesh and the growing anger and panic in India over the supposed "Chinese water warfare" have refocused international attention on the ecological and political implications of China's dam construction on transnational rivers.
Many question whether upstream activities in Chinaespecially the construction of mega damsare disturbing the Brahmaputras natural hydrological rhythm. Such speculation is warranted given the lack of transparent data on these projects. China has kept the design strength of its dams on the Brahmaputra a state secret.
The thirst to harness hydropower, it seems, is prompting Beijing to sacrifice the ecological well-being of the regions downstream, which are already feeling the growing impact of climate change. This ecological vandalism is exacerbating the fragility of weather-dependent livelihoods in the region.
While the exact role of Chinese dams in the recent floods is still uncertain, Beijing can ease anxieties by forming a transboundary framework that includes India and Bangladesh to jointly manage water flows and monitor the ecological health of the Brahmaputra. This river is a lifeline for many. It is past time that it is given the attention and care it deserves.