China starts construction of Tibet mega-dam

China has begun building a massive hydropower dam on the Yarlung Tsangpo River, known as the Brahmaputra once it enters India. The project, launched on Saturday in the Tibet region, has raised serious concerns for downstream countries, especially India and Bangladesh.

The ceremony was attended by Chinese Premier Li Qiang, along with officials from central agencies, state-owned enterprises, engineers, and local representatives, according to China’s state-run Xinhua news agency.

The dam project, called the Yarlung Zangbo River Lower Reaches Hydropower Project, involves the construction of five cascade power stations. It aims to straighten parts of the river’s natural bends and divert water through tunnels.