Tibet earthquake and the large dams Beijing wants to build

China has long targeted the region for hydroelectric projects to meet its energy needs. Protests have not stopped dam construction, despite a study stressing the risks of an increase in landslides and flash floods. Meanwhile, the death toll from the earthquake has risen to 126, while freezing temperatures make rescue difficult.

Beijing (AsiaNews/Agencies) – China has set its eyes on Tibet as a place for dam construction, even though the region is prone to earthquakes; in fact, the death toll from yesterday’s major earthquake rose to 126, Chinese media reported.

More than 14,000 rescuers have been deployed by the authorities, who have said that they have rescued at least 400 people.

Thousands of homes were destroyed while operations were hampered by poor weather conditions, as temperatures dropped to -16 degrees Celsius overnight.

Earthquakes occur regularly in Tibet, which is located on a geological fault, but at a magnitude of 7.1, yesterday's was also felt in Nepal and parts of India, and more than 40 aftershocks were recorded in the hours following the quake.

Despite this, China aims to build a series of large dams in the area, raising concern about the potential environmental damage that such infrastructure projects could cause in the region.

Tibet is home to some of Asia's major rivers and, according to a researcher cited by Radio Free Asia, could generate up to 110 gigawatts of hydropower.

A study by the International Campaign for Tibet (ICT) notes that the number of dams in Tibet rose from 114 existing or planned to 193.

According to the ICT, “The Chinese government has strategically obfuscated details of the hydropower expansion across Tibet, because the plans attract justified concern and scrutiny from environmental experts, local communities, and downstream countries.”

Of these 193 dams, 80 per cent are large or mega dams and should generate 270 gigawatts of hydropower, equal to Germany's total energy production in 2022.

Although about 60 per cent of the dams have not yet been built or completed, their construction could lead to an increase in landslides and flash floods, the ICT report says.

The proposal to divert some rivers has also been criticised, because it could aggravate already strained relations with neighbouring India.

Some experts have slammed the ICT study, which does not distinguish between dams built for hydropower and those built for other purposes, like water supply or flood control.

In recent years, several dams have been built in provinces adjacent to Tibet, such as Sichuan and Yunnan, so, according to experts, it is natural that Beijing is now aiming for Tibet.

Last year, however, the local population protested the construction of a dam in Sichuan that would have submerged six Tibetan Buddhist temples. Despite complaints, the project went ahead.

Beijing's infrastructure plans are consistent with its desire to boost energy production while reducing fossil emissions.

Last month, China’s official Xinhua news agency announced that the government had approved the construction of the world's largest dam in Tibet, on the Yarlung Tsangpo River, which is expected to generate three times the power of the controversial Three Gorges Dam.

At present, it is unclear when the work will begin, but analysts believe that Beijing is unlikely to back down.

• china
• tibet
• sichuan
• yunnan
• nepal
• india
• dams
• hydropower
• colonialism
• imperialism
• environment