India to build second-largest dam as China seeks to divert river

India has planned to build its second-largest dam at Yingkiong in Arunachal Pradesh to counter China’s ambitious water diversion scheme of the river that pours downstream into the Brahmaputra river. The proposed dam will store around 10 bn cu m of water, built at an investment of around Rs.500 bn, is part of the proposed Upper Siang multi-purpose storage project to also generate hydropower. China’s 14th Five-Year Plan proposed a dam over the Brahmaputra river, Yarlung Tsangpo, raised concerns in India about the strategic ramifications. India plans to release water from the dam for security if China diverts water. In case the country releases water from its upper reaches, India will use the dam to store water and prevent floods.