The importance of the Brahmaputra for India in general and the Northeast in particular cannot be overemphasised. Millions of people depend on it for drinking water, irrigation, transportation, fishing and other occupations. It is one of India’s largest rivers, which originates in China and is known by various names. There have been reports that China has constructed a dam across the river and is diverting its water. A few years ago, flash floods in the river were attributed to China releasing the stored water. China has denied constructing any such dam or diverting the water. Officially, it admits using only one per cent of the river water, which it is certainly entitled to. Read more
