
Cracks Found in Five Hydropower Dams in Tibet Following Major Earthquake

Cracks have been detected in five hydropower dams out of the 14 inspected by Chinese authorities after a powerful 6.8-magnitude earthquake struck the region on January 7, killing at least 126 people. Officials have since emptied three of the affected reservoirs, signaling the severity of the situation, according to a Tibet emergency management official.
Among the emptied reservoirs are the Cuoguo Reservoir in Cuoguo Township and the Laang Reservoir in Changsuo Township, both located in Tingri County, the earthquake’s epicenter. The Cuoguo Reservoir holds a capacity of 580,000 cubic meters, while the Laang Reservoir stores up to 450,000 cubic meters. The quake caused significant damage, with the intensity reaching 9 on the Chinese seismic scale. The United States Geological Survey, however, measured the quake at a magnitude of 7.1.
The earthquake tilted the walls of one dam, leading to the evacuation of about 1,500 residents from six nearby villages to higher ground. In the Cuoguo Reservoir, 60 high-density geophysical monitors have been installed for real-time monitoring, and canals have been excavated to safely drain the water.
Hydrologist Wang Weiluo described the situation as critical, noting that draining a reservoir is a last-resort measure to prevent catastrophic dam failure. He warned that draining these reservoirs could have long-term consequences, especially as the water is vital for agricultural irrigation in the spring. Wang also criticized the Chinese government for building dams in seismically active zones like Tibet without conducting adequate scientific risk assessments.
Tibet, which experiences frequent and high-magnitude earthquakes due to the collision of tectonic plates, has over 120 dams, with dozens more planned. These dams, primarily constructed for irrigation and hydropower, have been criticized for disrupting traditional Tibetan nomadic lifestyles by pushing locals toward agriculture. Wang argued that nomadism is better suited to the region’s ecological conditions and poses fewer risks to human life during natural disasters.
In addition to meeting local energy demands, some dams in Tibet supply electricity to other regions in China. Plans are also underway for the world’s largest hydropower dam on the Yarlung Tsangpo River, which originates in Tibet and flows into India and Bangladesh. Approved in December 2024, the mega-dam’s power generation capacity will surpass the Three Gorges Dam by threefold. However, it has sparked concerns over ecological damage and geopolitical tensions, as the Yarlung Tsangpo and other Tibetan rivers are crucial water sources for Southeast and South Asia.
Experts have raised alarms about the environmental and cross-border implications of dam construction in Tibet. Hydropower projects could reduce water flow downstream, alter seasonal water distribution, and increase the risk of floods and droughts. Reduced sediment flow could harm aquatic ecosystems and decrease soil fertility, potentially leading to coastal land degradation at river estuaries.
The ongoing situation underscores the need for careful consideration of the ecological and humanitarian impacts of large-scale infrastructure projects in fragile and seismically active regions like Tibet.
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