56 rivers flow down from Bhutan to Assam to meet the Brahmaputra River. Indo-Bhutan hydropower cooperation began in 1961 with the signing of the Jaldhaka agreement.
What needs to be known?
- Bhutan currently has an installed hydropower capacity of 1,488 MW, although it hopes to increase this to 20,000 MW.
- Most of these hydropower projects have been developed in cooperation with India.
Major power projects
- Tala Hydroelectric Project
- Chukha Hydropower Project
- Punatsangchu-I and Punatsangchu-II
- Kholongchhu
- Bunakha
- Wangchu
- Chamkarchu
- Mangdechhu hydroelectric project
Major transboundary rivers (Please learn these names for prelims)
- Manas (Drangme Chhu),
- Sankosh (Puna Tshang Chhu)
- Torsa (Amo Chhu)
- Raidak (Wang Chhu)
Major Challenges
- Melting of glaciers
- Frequent floods
- Landslides
Sources: PIB