China hasn't shared water data with India since 2022: Govt in RTI response

An Indian paramilitary soldier patrols the Brahmaputra river near Guwahati (File Photo)

China has stopped sharing critical hydrological data with India since 2022, a revelation that could have serious implications for flood forecasting and water management in India’s northeastern and northern regions. The Ministry of Jal Shakti confirmed this in a written response to a Right to Information (RTI) query filed by India Today.

"No information on hydrological data or hydro structures has been shared by China with India since 2022," read the reply to the query, as quoted by India Today in its report.

The hydrological data in question typically includes river water levels, discharge rates, rainfall patterns, and details about upstream hydro-infrastructure - vital inputs that Indian agencies use for early warning systems and infrastructure planning for rivers like the Brahmaputra and the Sutlej, which originate in China and flow into India.

Under bilateral agreements, China has been providing real-time hydrological data on the Brahmaputra and the Sutlej during the monsoon months. These rivers carry enormous volumes of water and are prone to sudden flooding, especially during heavy rainfall or glacier melting events.

This data-sharing mechanism, seen as a key pillar of transboundary water cooperation, was especially significant given the absence of any water-sharing treaty between India and China. The abrupt halt since 2022, as confirmed by the Ministry of Jal Shakti, marks a disturbing shift.

Under bilateral agreements, China has been providing real-time hydrological data on the Brahmaputra and the Sutlej during the monsoon months (typically from May 15 to October 15). These rivers carry enormous volumes of water and are prone to sudden flooding, especially during heavy rainfall or glacier melting events.

This data-sharing mechanism, seen as a key pillar of transboundary water cooperation, was especially significant given the absence of any water-sharing treaty between India and China. The abrupt halt since 2022, as confirmed by the Ministry of Jal Shakti, marks a disturbing shift.

India relies on upstream data from China to issue flood forecasts for Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Himachal Pradesh, and Punjab. Without early warnings of water level surges or dam discharges upstream, Indian states are left vulnerable to flash floods, which have previously caused widespread devastation.

The Brahmaputra River, which accounts for about 30% of India’s total water resources, is particularly volatile. In past years, the flood data provided by China helped authorities evacuate populations in Assam in advance and prepare for infrastructure stress. The Sutlej, meanwhile, is crucial for hydropower and irrigation in Himachal Pradesh and Punjab.