The latest US-funded research examines China’s dams’ potential impact on the Mekong river, or Lancang as it is known in China, and the various countries downstream. Published by the Sustainable Infrastructure Partnership in Bangkok and the Lower Mekong Initiative, this study has brought to light implications that extend beyond the immediate issue, hinting at how Chinese dams on other rivers that originate within its boundaries, like the Brahmaputra, could likewise affect neighbouring countries.
Key Findings of the Study
The research has presented some key findings regarding the impact of dams on the Mekong River. There have been question marks over the rainfall patterns in the Yunnan province of Southwestern China, which despite experiencing above-average rainfall from May to October 2019, saw a significant lack of water flow in the lower Mekong compared to 1992, according to satellite data.
The Mekong River Commission has called for additional scientific evidence to establish whether these dams are indeed responsible for the drought that took place in 2019. The commission includes Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, and Vietnam. The research further emphasizes how six dams built since the commissioning of the Nuozhadu dam in 2012 have modified the river’s natural flow.
China’s Stance on the Matter
China has dismissed the study as baseless, drawing attention instead to the drought faced by Yunnan and pointing out that the Lancang only accounts for 13.5% of Mekong’s flows. The country maintains that the dams under construction are run-of-the-river dams that store water purely for power generation.
India’s Perspective
From India’s standpoint, the study is not taken as conclusive, given that it just takes into account water flowing into the lower basin at a single station in Thailand. It overlooks other dams and water usage along the river’s course. While the lower basin does partially depend on flows from China, significant contributions come from tributaries in all other countries through which the river passes, a factor not considered in the study.
India’s Additional Concerns
India has voiced apprehensions about the Brahmaputra since 2015, starting from when China put its first hydropower project at Zangmu into operation. Three more dams at Dagu, Jiexu and Jiacha are now being developed. For India, the quantity of water does not pose an issue as these are run-of-the-river dams, and the flow of the Brahmaputra will not be affected. However, the concern lies in the Chinese activities potentially impacting the quality of water, ecological balance, and flood management.
India and China do not have a water-sharing agreement in place. They share hydrological data, making it imperative to share genuine information and maintain a continual dialogue on issues like drought warnings, floods, and high water discharges.