Three central Arunachal Pradesh districts have been put on high alert after China let India know about a major landslide blocking the Yaluzangbu (Yarlung Tsangpo, which becomes the Brahmaputra in India) on Monday, the second such disaster in 13 days in Tibet.
The Yarlung Tsangpo flows into Arunachal Pradesh at Siang and meanders through three districts — Upper Siang, Siang and East Siang — before meeting two other rivers to form the Brahmaputra in Assam downstream.
In a message to the Central Water Commission on Tuesday morning, the Chinese authorities said a landslide happened on Monday at the same location where a landslide had blocked the Yarlung Tsangpo on October 17. The barrier formed that day gave way two days later without causing any damage to the downstream districts of Arunachal Pradesh.
“We have been warned of a fresh landslide that might cause a flash flood. The administrative heads of the districts flanking the Siang River have been alerted to take precautionary measures,” Bidol Tayeng, the State’s Disaster Management secretary, told The Hindu from Itanagar.
The quantity of water discharged from the landslide-induced barrier in the Yarlung Tsangpo this time is less than the discharge on October 19-20, officials said.
“The water discharge may not cause any damage or loss of lives and properties along the Siang River but the water level needs to be constantly monitored for 3-4 days from Tuesday. There may be no danger but people living along riverside should be alerted,” an alert issued by Mr. Tayeng’s department said.
It advised the people not to venture into the Siang for fishing, bathing, boating, picnic or any other activity in the river.
