Hydropower Development in the Brahmaputra River Basin

Brahmaputra River Basin, comprising of China, India, Bhutan and Bangladesh holds immense hydropower potential but faces geopolitical and environmental challenges. The approval of Medog “super-dam” by China at Tsangpo river has reignited concerns over transboundary water issues, especially between China and India. Several hydropower projects are also being planned and developed at Arunachal Pradesh, India and Bhutan. While the dam-builders assert minimal downstream impacts, there exists an uncertainty in understanding the ecological, socio-economical and hydrological impacts by the dams in an era of climate change. Climate change, characterized by extreme weather events further compounds to the risks. Lack of a seamless cross-border information sharing mechanism exacerbates uncertainties, limiting scientific assessments of basin wide hydro-meteorological impacts. This article highlights the urgent need for transboundary cooperative research to ensure sustainable hydropower development and equitable water management in the BRB, emphasizing the critical role of climate-informed decision-making

China · Climate change · Downstream (manufacturing · Drainage basin · Hydropower · Sustainability · Sustainable development · Water resources · Hydropower, Displacement, Environmental Impact · South Asian Studies and Conflicts · Transboundary Water Resource Management