Diplomatic Correspondent :
Bangladesh is alert about excess water released by Chinese dams, which may result in floods downstream of the Brahmaputra River casting a possible impact on Bangladesh, too.
Bangladesh’s High Commission in New Delhi has forwarded a fax to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, informing of the alarm that is persisting in India now.
The river flows downstream through India and into Bangladesh as Brahmaputra.
China has recently issued an alert to India mentioning that it would release excess water into the Brahmaputra River owing to heavy rainfall in the upper course of the river, known as Tsangpo in Tibet, reads the fax message.
A massive cloudburst in Tibet has forced authorities in China to release more water down the Brahmaputra than at any time over the last 50 years. China has warned India about the release in the transboundary river – known as Yarlung Zangbo in China – and two Indian states are on high alert for floods.
The discharge was measured at 9,020 cubic metres per second (cumec) at 8:00am on August 29 and led to huge waves on the Siang in Arunachal Pradesh, the state in northeastern India through which the river enters India. Eyewitness reports estimated the wave heights at up to four metres, in a river that usually has hardly any waves at all.
Diplomatic sources said, India has communicated the matter with relevant officials in Bangladesh as Brahmaputra River may swell up if China releases additional waters.
The Indian government has asked authorities of Arunachal Pradesh to refrain its people from venturing into Siang river for fishing, swimming etc. to avoid any eventualities. Further, people living in low lying areas (both right bank and left bank) viz Jarku, Paglek, SS Mission, Jarkong, Banskota, Berung, Sigar, Borguli, Seram, Kongkul, Namsing, MER nearby Siang river are advised to remain alert but not to panic.”
Eyewitness reports on the morning of August 31 said, the waves had gone down, but the Siang was still flowing at a far higher level than usual, even during the height of the monsoon.
Despite the official warning, 30 people were reported stranded on an island in the Siang in the Sille-Oyan area on the morning of August 31. The Arunachal Pradesh government has requested the Indian Air Force to send helicopters that can winch these people to safety, since the island is too small for a helicopter to land.
As a result, floods may occur in the downstream of the river that may impact Bangladesh too.
Bangladesh is alert about excess water released by Chinese dams, which may result in floods downstream of the Brahmaputra River casting a possible impact on Bangladesh, too.
Bangladesh’s High Commission in New Delhi has forwarded a fax to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, informing of the alarm that is persisting in India now.
The river flows downstream through India and into Bangladesh as Brahmaputra.
China has recently issued an alert to India mentioning that it would release excess water into the Brahmaputra River owing to heavy rainfall in the upper course of the river, known as Tsangpo in Tibet, reads the fax message.
A massive cloudburst in Tibet has forced authorities in China to release more water down the Brahmaputra than at any time over the last 50 years. China has warned India about the release in the transboundary river – known as Yarlung Zangbo in China – and two Indian states are on high alert for floods.
The discharge was measured at 9,020 cubic metres per second (cumec) at 8:00am on August 29 and led to huge waves on the Siang in Arunachal Pradesh, the state in northeastern India through which the river enters India. Eyewitness reports estimated the wave heights at up to four metres, in a river that usually has hardly any waves at all.
Diplomatic sources said, India has communicated the matter with relevant officials in Bangladesh as Brahmaputra River may swell up if China releases additional waters.
The Indian government has asked authorities of Arunachal Pradesh to refrain its people from venturing into Siang river for fishing, swimming etc. to avoid any eventualities. Further, people living in low lying areas (both right bank and left bank) viz Jarku, Paglek, SS Mission, Jarkong, Banskota, Berung, Sigar, Borguli, Seram, Kongkul, Namsing, MER nearby Siang river are advised to remain alert but not to panic.”
Eyewitness reports on the morning of August 31 said, the waves had gone down, but the Siang was still flowing at a far higher level than usual, even during the height of the monsoon.
Despite the official warning, 30 people were reported stranded on an island in the Siang in the Sille-Oyan area on the morning of August 31. The Arunachal Pradesh government has requested the Indian Air Force to send helicopters that can winch these people to safety, since the island is too small for a helicopter to land.
As a result, floods may occur in the downstream of the river that may impact Bangladesh too.
