YICHANG, China, Oct 12: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah visited China’s world-renowned Three Gorges Dam on the Yangtze River on Monday to explore modern approaches to water storage, flood management, hydropower generation and climate resilience.Leading a high-level provincial delegation, the chief minister toured various sections of the dam and received a detailed briefing from Chinese officials on its planning, construction and operation. The delegation included provincial ministers Sharjeel Inam Memon, Jam Khan Shoro and Muhammad Bux Khan Mahar, Special Assistant to the CM Syed Qasim Naveed, and senior government officials.Officials informed the delegation that the dam, completed in 2012 after nearly two decades of construction, has an installed electricity generation capacity of 22,500 megawatts and produces more than 100 terawatt-hours of electricity annually.
Besides generating clean energy, the project plays a significant role in flood control and inland navigation along the Yangtze River.Murad Ali Shah expressed particular interest in the dam’s integrated water storage system, flood regulation mechanisms and real-time hydrological monitoring technology.He said Sindh faced growing challenges due to climate change, including devastating monsoon floods and water shortages during dry periods, making efficient water management essential for the province’s sustainable development.“The experience of the Three Gorges Dam demonstrates how modern engineering, technology and long-term planning can transform water resources into engines of economic development, energy security and climate resilience,” he said.The chief minister noted that although Sindh received substantial seasonal water flows through the Indus River system, the province had limited capacity to conserve surplus water for agricultural, municipal and industrial needs.He stressed the need to explore innovative solutions for water storage, flood mitigation and irrigation management to ensure long-term water security.Murad Ali Shah said the provincial government would examine relevant aspects of China’s water management model, particularly reservoir operations, flood forecasting, sediment management and freshwater storage.He also highlighted the importance of protecting the Indus Delta and preventing seawater intrusion in Sindh’s coastal areas. He emphasised that future water infrastructure projects must balance development objectives with environmental protection.“Any strategy for water conservation must safeguard the ecological requirements of the Indus Delta while enhancing agricultural productivity and protecting vulnerable communities from floods and droughts,” he said.The chief minister directed the accompanying officials to study Chinese best practices in hydrological monitoring, smart reservoir operations and integrated river basin management for possible adaptation in Sindh.
During the visit, the delegation also visited the Three Gorges Dam Museum, where officials presented a documentary highlighting the dam’s construction and the movement of cargo ships and other maritime traffic.Describing the facility as an engineering marvel, Murad Ali Shah, who is an engineer by profession, appreciated the scale of the project and its contribution to water management, energy production and navigation.The visit was part of the chief minister’s week-long official tour of China, aimed at strengthening cooperation in infrastructure, investment, technology, education and sustainable development.Chinese officials expressed their willingness to share technical expertise in water resource management and climate adaptation. Both sides also discussed opportunities for future institutional cooperation in these fields.Following the visit, the delegation toured observation points overlooking the dam and its navigation system before returning to Wuhan for the next phase of the official programme.
