Mail News Service
New Delhi, Mar 2 : News article regarding drying up of Brahmaputra in Arunachal as reported in section of the media regarding ‘Brahmaputra dries up in Arunachal Pradesh’ – China May Have Diverted Water, Fears State Govt., quoting Statement of Mr. Tako Dabi, the political adviser to Chief Minister that People of Pasighat town in East Siang district found that water level of the river receded so much on Wednesday that it almost dried and expressed apprehension that China could have diverted the water of the river, which is known as Yarlong Tsangpo in Tibet, or there could be some artificial blockade due to which this has happened said a press statement issued by Ministry of Water Resources . During Telephonic conversation made by officials of Ministry of Water Resources with the State Government officials of Arunachal Pradesh, it came out that the statement may be based on the visual impression gathered from general public perception of the rivers flows around Pasighat town.
The apprehensions expressed by the state Government regarding possible diversion of the Brahmaputra by China is not correct and devoid of facts. The changes in river regime / flows are a natural phenomenon dependent on various hydro-meteorological and climatological factors. Central Water Commission (CWC) collects and analyzes the hydrological data relating to all major rivers in the country, consisting of rainfall, runoff and temperature, etc. and river Siang is one of them.
On river Siang, CWC has been maintaining river water level and discharge data at pasighat in East Siang district and at Tuting in Upper Siang district, very near to the international border with Tibet Autonomous Region, China. CWC has examined the water level and river discharges starting from November, 2011 up till February, 2012 at these sites and observed that there has been neither any abnormal rise or fall in water flow of River Siang on these sites during this period nor any significant change in the quantum of water coming from Tibet Autonomous Region, China at the entry point in India.
The water level at Pasighat in the month of February, 2012 fluctuated between 151.62 m to 151.76 m and river discharges from 1175.02 to 1262.11 cumecs. The discharge observed at Pasighat on 29th February, 2012 was 1262.11 cumecs and 2651.52 cumecs on 1st March 2012. The increase in discharge at Pasighat on 01st March 2012 is explained due to heavy rainfall in the intervening catchment on 29th Feb & 1st March 2012.
The incoming water level in River Siang at Tuting, very near to International Border in the month of February 2012 varied between 403.44 m to 403.78 m and river flows between 932.9 cumecs to 1035.88 cumecs and there are no abnormal changes in the rivers flows at the point of entry of river Siang in India.
Government of India keeps a constant watch on all developments in China having bearing on India’s interest and takes necessary measures to protect them.
Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/government-clarifies-on-diversion-of-river-by-china/
