The Indian Air Force (IAF) recently carried out a successful rescue operation, airlifting 14 people—including 13 from Assam—who were stranded on a riverine island in Arunachal Pradesh due to flooding in the Dibang River.
Overview of the Dibang River
The Dibang River is a significant tributary of the Brahmaputra, flowing through the northeastern states of Arunachal Pradesh and Assam. The river lends its name to the Dibang Valley district in Arunachal Pradesh.
River Course and Origin:
- The Dibang originates near the Keya Pass along the Indo-China border in the Upper Dibang Valley district of Arunachal Pradesh.
- Its upper course lies in the Great Himalayan range, adjacent to the Tibetan plateau on its northern and eastern flanks.
- The Mishmi Hills, a southern extension of the Himalayas, dominate the upper region. These hills average around 15,000 feet (4,500 meters) in elevation and feature high mountain passes like Yonggyap (13,000 feet) and Kaya (15,600 feet).
- Flowing southward, the river descends into the plains of Assam.
- Eventually, it merges with the Lohit and Siang rivers, which together form the Brahmaputra in Assam.
Major Tributaries:
Notable tributaries of the Dibang include the Dri, Mathun, Talon, Eme, Ahi, Emra, and Awa rivers.
Dibang Multipurpose Project
The Dibang Multipurpose Project is a major flood control and hydroelectric initiative proposed on the Dibang River in Arunachal Pradesh.
Key Features:
- With an installed capacity of 2,880 MW, it is set to become India’s largest hydropower project.
- The project is being developed by the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC), a government-run entity.
- It is designed to serve both as a power-generating and flood-moderation project.
- A key component of the project is the construction of a concrete gravity dam that will stand 278 meters tall and span 375 meters—making it the tallest of its kind in the country.