China gives go-ahead to construction of world's largest dam

China has approved the construction of the world's largest dam on the Brahmaputra River (known as the Yarlung Tsangpo River in Tibet). This mega project, estimated to cost $137 billion, is part of China's 14th Five-Year Plan and aims to generate significant electricity.

However, it has raised concerns in downstream countries like India and Bangladesh about potential impacts on water flow and regional stability.

Key Points: Location:
The dam will be built in a vast gorge in the Himalayas, where the Brahmaputra makes a U-turn before entering India through Arunachal Pradesh.

Capacity: 

The project is expected to produce 300 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity annually, more than three times the capacity of the current largest hydropower plant. At present, the Three Gorges Dam in China is the world's largest hydroelectric power plant, with a generating capacity of 22,500 megawatts (MW).

About the Brahmaputra River The Brahmaputra River is one of the major rivers in Asia, known for its significant role in the hydrology and agriculture of the regions it traverses.

Key Features: 

 Origin: The Brahmaputra originates from the Chemayungdung glacier near Mount Kailash in the Tibetan Plateau.

Course: 

It flows through southwestern Tibet as the Yarlung Tsangpo River, enters India in Arunachal Pradesh as the Dihang River, and then flows southwest through Assam as the Brahmaputra.

In Bangladesh, it is known as the Jamuna. Length: The river spans approximately 2,900 kilometers (1,800 miles). Tributaries: Major tributaries include the Lohit, Dibang, Subansiri, Kameng, and Manas rivers.

Majuli Island: 

The Brahmaputra River hosts the world's largest river island, Majuli, located in Assam. Confluence: The Brahmaputra merges with the Ganges in Bangladesh, forming the Padma River, which eventually empties into the Bay of Bengal.

Names:

 Yarlung Tsangpo: In Tibet Dihang: In Arunachal Pradesh Brahmaputra: In Assam Jamuna: In Bangladesh Padma: In Bangladesh, after merging with the Ganges