Flood pact

·         On August 8, 2008 Union Cabinet approved a pact that will enable China provide information to India on flood season data of the Brahmaputra river, known as Yarlung Zangbo in that country, that will help protect people living along its banks.

·         The Chinese side will provide flood season data from 2008 to 2012

Mission IAS’2009

·         The MoU will enable India to improve flood forecasting and timely warning for those living in the downstream reaches of the Brahmaputra.

·         The MoU was signed between India and China during the visit of External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee to Beijing in June.

·         India and China had decided to set up an expert-level mechanism to discuss interaction and cooperation on sharing flood season hydrological data, emergency management and other issues regarding trans-border rivers during Chinese President Hu Jintao's visit to India in November 2006.

·         Rampant deforestation in the Brahmaputra watershed has resulted in increased siltation levels, flash floods, and soil erosion in critical downstream habitat, such as the Kaziranga National Park in Assam .

·         The Brahmaputra, also called Tsangpo-Brahmaputra, originates in southwestern Tibet as the Yarlung Tsangpo.