'China dams unlikely to affect Brahmaputra water level'

The dams constructed by China in Tibet region are unlikely to affect the water level of Brahmaputra river in India, parliament was informed on Thursday.

"The government has ascertained that one power generating unit of the Zangmu hydroelectric project (in Tibet) has been operationalised in November, 2014," Minister for Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation Uma Bharti said in reply to a question in the Lok Sabha.

"The 'Outline of the 12th Five Year Plan for National Economic and Social Development of the People's Republic of China' indicates that three more hydropower projects on the main stream of the Brahmaputra river in Tibet Autonomous Region have been approved for implementation by the Chinese authorities," she said.

"As these projects are considered to be run of river (RoR) hydro-electric projects, any significant change in water level of river Brahmaputra is not expected," the minister added.

Averring that the Indian government was carefully monitoring all developments with regard to Brahmaputra river, she said India has conveyed its views and concerns to the Chinese authorities.

"India has conveyed its views and concerns to the Chinese authorities at the highest levels. It has urged China to ensure that the interests of downstream states are not harmed by any activities in upstream areas," the minister stated.

Bharti also pointed out that changes in river water flow are a natural phenomenon dependent on various hydro-meteorological and climatological factors.

"The Central Water Commission (CWC) collects and analyses the hydrological data relating to all major rivers, including Brahmaputra, in the country. No specific trend or fall in water level of river Brahmaputra has been observed by Central Water Commission in the recent past," she said.