China: Muddying of Brahmaputra due to earthquake

Beijing, Dec 28: After several questions regarding the muddying of river Brahmaputra, China said that an earthquake in the Tibet Autonomous Region could have caused "turbidity" or muddiness in the waters in the lower reaches of Yarlung Zangbo river, which flows as the Siang and then the Brahmaputra into northeastern India.

China is known for occupying adjacent lands and still claims Arunachal Pradesh as part of "South Tibet".

Experts in India had earlier hinted that the sudden muddying of the river could be a deliberate ploy by China to prove a point against the backdrop of tense bilateral relations following the military standoff at Doklam near the Sikkim boundary during July-August.

"We have noted that Indian media recently made a series of reports on this issue. They said China was conducting water conservancy project or exploiting a mine previously ,whereas now (they) claim there is a barrier lake upstream," said the statement from the foreign ministry spokesperson's office.

"I could tell you responsibly that none of these speculations is true according to the results of the investigation (conducted) by relevant Chinese authorities," it added.