Why in news
- India and China agreed to schedule the next meeting of their Expert-Level Mechanism (ELM) on trans-border rivers in September.
- The talks focus on resuming emergency and flood-season hydrological data sharing for the Brahmaputra (Yarlung Zangbo) and Sutlej (Langqen Zangbo) rivers.
What is the Expert-Level Mechanism?
- Established in 2006 to discuss cooperation on trans-border rivers between India and China.
- Mandated to oversee provision of hydrological information such as water level, discharge, and rainfall data during flood season (June 1 to October 15).
Key Bilateral Provisions & Objectives
- Covers major trans-border river basins including the Brahmaputra (Yarlung Zangbo) and Sutlej (Langqen Zangbo).
- Aims to ensure early flood warning capability in Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, and Himachal Pradesh downstream.
Why it matters
- Hydrological transparency is critical to mitigate flood disasters caused by upper-riparian dam building and natural landslides along the Line of Actual Control.
- Acts as a functional confidence-building measure alongside military and diplomatic de-escalation dialogues.
Key terms
Upper Riparian State
A country situated upstream along a river system that exercises control over water flow before it reaches downstream nations.
Hydrological Data
Measurements of water flow, volume, discharge rate, and surface precipitation used for flood forecasting and river management.
Prelims facts
- Hydrological data sharing between India and China is governed under a bilateral Memorandum of Understanding managed by the Expert-Level Mechanism.
Mains discussion
- Assess the strategic and ecological vulnerabilities of lower-riparian states like India in trans-boundary river management with China.
Source: The Hindu
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