Lok Sabha Question No. 1744 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-12-28
Subject: Unusual Changes in Water of Siang River
Ministry: WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT AND GANAGA REJUVENATION
Asked by: RAMEN DEKA, KAUSHALENDRA KUMAR, CHINTAMAN NAVSHA WANAGA, THOKCHOM MEINYA, NINONG ERING

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT & GANGA REJUVENATION

## LOK SABHA UN STARRED QUESTION NO. 1744

ANSWERED ON 28 .12.2017

## UNUSUAL CHANGES IN W ATER OF SIANG RIVER

SHRI KAUSHALENDRA KUMAR

## 1744. SHRI RAMEN DEKA SHRI NINONG ERING

DR. THOKCHOM MEINYA ADV. CHINTAMAN NAVASHA WANAGA

Will the Minister of WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT AND GANGA REJUVENATION be pleased to state:

(a) whether any unusual changes have been observed in the water of the Siang river in Pradesh which flows from Southern Tibet as the Yarlung Tsangpo and continues as Brahmapu Assam and if so, the details thereof;

(b) whether any survey/assessment of the cause of these changes has been made or is being if so, the details and the outcome thereof;

(c) whether the Government has initiated steps to collect information about these change the efforts to divert the course of river and to raise this issue through diplomatic cha with China and if so, the d etails thereof; and

(d) the corrective measures taken/ being taken in this regard?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT AND GANGA REJUVENATION & PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS

## ( SHRI ARJUN RAM MEGHW AL )

(a)  & (b)  Yes  Sir,  change  in  colour  of  water  in  Siang  River  was  noticed    on  10/11 Hydrological Observation site Tuting, by Central Water Commission in Arunachal Pradesh. Th of such change in colour of river water appears to be due to excess silt. Water samples of River Siang from Tuting and Passighat H.O site of CWC were collected and analysed in water quality lab of CWC. The analysis report shows that all observed water quality parameters are within p limits as per BIS 10500:20 12 drinking water standard except turbidity.

In addition, results of water quality tests conducted by Public Health Engineering Supply Dept., Govt. of Arunachal Pradesh from samples of Pasighat shows turbidity and Iron excess of permi ssible limits. Beside this , Physico -chemical analysis of water samples collected fro Siang  river  across  Pasighat  and  Jonai  conducted  by  NERIWALM  shows  higher  concentration Aluminium and I ron beyond acceptable and permissible limit for drinking water.

The Change in water level was also observed by CWC at Tuting and it was found tha was decrease in flow of water at Tuting site from 18.11.17 to 19.11.17 (about 1.96 meters approximate 50% drop in water flow). Thereaft er, flow got restored to the previous level.

The  reason  for  change  in  water  of  river  Siang  may  possibly  be  because  of  an slide/earthquake/any other activity in upstream region of Tuting site across the international borde with China for which information is not available. Exact Reason is not known as yet.

(c ) & ( d) During the recent visit of Foreign Minister of the People's Republic of China to India on 11 December 2017, matters concern ing trans - border  rivers,  including  the  recent  reports  about  unu changes in the water of Siang River, were raised with the Chinese side.

As a lower riparian State with considerable established user rights to the waters Government has co nveyed its views and concerns to the Chinese authorities, including at th levels of the Government of the People's Republic of China, and has urged them to ensure that the interests of downstream States are not harmed by any activities in upstream areas.

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