Assam CM Asserts Brahmaputra Primarily Fed by Indian Rains; Reduced Chinese Flow May Aid Flood Control
Why in News?
- Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma addressed concerns regarding China’s potential influence over the Brahmaputra River’s flow. He emphasized that the majority of the river’s water volume is generated within India, suggesting that even if China were to reduce its contribution, it might assist in mitigating Assam’s annual floods.
Important Key Points:
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Primary Water Source: CM Sarma highlighted that approximately 65–70% of the Brahmaputra’s flow originates from torrential monsoon rains in India’s northeastern states, including Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Nagaland, and Meghalaya. In contrast, glacial melt and rainfall from Tibet contribute only about 30–35% to the river’s volume.
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Tributary Contributions: Significant tributaries such as the Subansiri, Lohit, Kameng, Manas, Dhansiri, Jia-Bharali, and Kopili rivers, along with inflows from the Khasi, Garo, and Jaintia Hills via rivers like Krishnai, Digaru, and Kulsi, substantially augment the Brahmaputra’s volume within India.
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Flow Dynamics: The river’s flow increases markedly as it traverses Indian territory. At the India-China border near Tuting, the flow is approximately 2,000–3,000 cubic meters per second (m³/s), which swells to 15,000–20,000 m³/s in the Assam plains during the monsoon season.
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Flood Mitigation Perspective: Addressing hypothetical scenarios, Sarma stated that even if China were to reduce the Brahmaputra’s flow—a situation he deems unlikely—it could potentially aid in controlling the devastating floods that Assam experiences annually, displacing thousands and causing significant damage.
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Rebuttal to External Narratives: Sarma criticized narratives suggesting that China could weaponize water flow against India, labeling them as “manufactured threats.” He emphasized India’s sovereign rights and the river’s resilience, stating that the Brahmaputra is not controlled by a single source but is powered by India’s geography and monsoon patterns.
