Since May, China has declined to share hydrological data with India on the Brahmaputra River, which originates in Tibet and flows through India and Bangladesh. Here’s why that matters.
SOURCE OF POWER
In a region where water sources are scarce, the Brahmaputra is a vital asset. China has constructed a hydropower dam upstream, which gives it the ability to control flows into downstream states like India.
HUNG OUT TO DRY
Beijing is now withholding key data from Delhi during flood season, exerting pressure after a feud between China and India over a disputed Himalayan region. Beijing blames out-of-date hydrological stations for the lack of data.
HELL OR HIGH WATER
Experts fear that China could divert the river’s waters away from India, devastating its northeastern plains. A water treaty might prevent that scenario, but Beijing may not be inclined to relinquish control of the faucet.
This appears in the October 02, 2017 issue of TIME.
- Employers Take Note: Young Workers Are Seeking Jobs with a Higher Purpose
- Signs Are Pointing to a Slowdown in the Housing Market—At Last
- Welcome to the Era of Unapologetic Bad Taste
- As the Virus Evolves, COVID-19 Reinfections Are Going to Keep Happening
- A New York Mosque Becomes a Refuge for Afghan Teens Who Fled Without Their Families
- High Gas Prices are Oil Companies' Fault says Ro Khanna, and Democrats Should Go After Them
- Two Million Cases: COVID-19 May Finally Force North Korea to Open Up
