BJP MP from Arunachal Pradesh, Tapir Gao, has issued a stark warning about the potentially devastating consequences of China’s proposed Great Bend Dam on the Yarlung Tsangpo River (known as the Brahmaputra in India), stating it could severely impact Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, and the entire Northeast region.
Speaking at an international seminar in Guwahati focused on water security and ecological integrity in the Sub-Himalayan region, Gao raised alarm over China’s ongoing efforts to construct a massive 9.5 km-long dam as part of its controversial water diversion plan aimed at rerouting water to the Yellow River.
“If China completes this dam, the downstream flow of the Brahmaputra will drastically reduce, drying up vital stretches of the river, harming aquatic biodiversity, and threatening water security for millions,” Gao said, warning of ecological imbalance, fish species decline, and human hardship across Northeast India.
Gao emphasized that India and China lack a water-sharing treaty, which leaves India with limited leverage to prevent such unilateral decisions. He urged that this issue be taken up at international forums, calling the Chinese project more than just a hydropower venture—“It’s a water bomb,” he said, referencing the 2000 Siang River flood when China allegedly released massive water volumes without prior notice.
Reiterating his earlier statements in Parliament, Gao cautioned that China’s unpredictable water policies could trigger natural disasters downstream at any moment. He also advocated for India to construct a large dam on the Siang River as a safeguard.
“Public consultations are ongoing. If the people agree, the proposed dam on the Siang can help India mitigate potential devastation. Otherwise, not just Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, but even Bangladesh could suffer massive consequences,” he said.
Gao praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for raising the issue diplomatically with China and expressed hope that these efforts will lead to a water treaty and a peaceful resolution.
Meanwhile, international experts at the same seminar, hosted by think tank Asian Confluence, echoed Gao’s concerns, highlighting that the $137 billion Great Bend Dam could disrupt the fragile Himalayan ecosystem, trigger landslides and earthquakes, and displace riverine communities.
The Brahmaputra, originating in Tibet and flowing through Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, and Bangladesh, is a lifeline for millions. Its high sediment load and volatile flow already make the region flood-prone. Experts warn that diverting or disrupting this river could have irreversible effects on biodiversity, agriculture, and livelihoods across the region.
The seminar called for urgent cross-border cooperation, environmental assessments, and multilateral pressure on China to address growing regional and ecological concerns.
