Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister, Pema Khandu has expressed concern over the high content of Nephelometric Turbidity Unit (NTU) in the Siang river in the state and said his government was in constant touch with the Centre so that New Delhi could take up the issue with China. Khandu is also likely to meet Home Minister Rajnath Singh over the issue.
The Siang river, which flows as Yarlung Tsangpo from southern Tibet, becomes the Brahmaputra river in Assam.
Khandu said his government has taken up the issue of sudden change in water quality of the Siang river and high content of NTU in the water causing death of aquatic lives and even livestock in the state.
Dr Atul Borgohain, professor of Assam Agricultural University visited the confluence of Siang and Siyom rivers in Central Siang district of Arunachal Pradesh and found contrasting picture of Siang and Siyom. While Siyom is carrying clean water, Siang on the other hand is carrying mud. NE NOW possesses the exclusive video of how Siang river has turned muddy by Dr Atul Borgohain.
The union government is still silent on the issue and China has already denied the allegation. Even the Northeast Space Application Centre which is supposed to monitor satellite based imaging has not come up with any clarification on the issue. People of the region are confused and scared regarding the possible health hazard. Meanwhile, water supply in Guwahati remain affected on Monday because the water filtration and purification unit did not know how to make the water potable. The million rupee question is when the government will rise from stupor and take concrete steps to allay the fears in the minds of the people.