China builds massive Brahmaputra dam amid geological warnings

China is constructing a massive hydropower project on the Yarlung Tsangpo, known internationally as the Brahmaputra, in Tibet. Located near the militarized border with India, the dam is expected to exceed the power-generating capacity of the Three Gorges Dam.

Geological concerns have been raised by Chinese scientists in the journal ‘Sedimentary Geology and Tethyan Geology’. The researchers identified serious risks at the construction site, noting the terrain has a ‘loose structure and weak cohesion’. They warned that fault movement or earthquakes in the highly seismic Himalayan belt could trigger large-scale instability, threatening the reservoir and surrounding infrastructure. The authors recommended reinforcing slopes and redesigning key elements to prevent catastrophe.

The project poses significant risks to downstream nations. For northeastern India, the river is a vital lifeline for agriculture and livelihoods. In Bangladesh, it serves as a primary source of freshwater. Beyond the risk of structural failure, the dam could alter transboundary water flows and restrict the movement of nutrient-rich sediment essential for river ecosystems and farmland.