WUHAN: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has visited China’s Three Gorges Dam to study its approach to hydroelectric power generation, flood control and water management as the province faces recurring floods and water shortages.
Leading a high-level delegation, the chief minister toured the dam on the Yangtze River and received a briefing from Chinese officials on electricity generation, water storage, flood regulation and river management.
The delegation included provincial ministers Sharjeel Inam Memon, Jam Khan Shoro and Muhammad Bux Khan Mahar, Special Assistant to the Chief Minister Syed Qasim Naveed, and senior government officials.
Three Gorges Dam’s Power Generation Capacity
During the visit, Chinese officials briefed the delegation on the planning, construction and operation of the Three Gorges Dam, the world’s largest hydroelectric power station by installed capacity.
Officials said the dam, completed in 2012 after nearly two decades of construction, has an installed generating capacity of 22,500 megawatts. It produces more than 100 terawatt-hours of electricity annually, according to the briefing.
Murad Ali Shah showed particular interest in its integrated approach to water storage, flood regulation and real-time hydrological monitoring.
He said Sindh experiences recurring monsoon floods and water shortages during dry periods, while climate change has increased concerns about the province’s water security.
“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.
Sindh to Explore Water Management Solutions
The chief minister noted that Sindh receives substantial seasonal flows through the Indus River system but has limited capacity to store surplus water for agricultural, municipal and industrial use.
He said the provincial government would examine whether elements of China’s water management model could be adapted to local conditions.
Potential areas of study include reservoir operations, flood forecasting, sediment management and freshwater storage.
Murad Ali Shah also highlighted the need to protect the Indus Delta, where seawater intrusion threatens coastal communities and ecosystems.
He stressed that future water infrastructure projects must balance development needs 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 officials accompanying the delegation to study Chinese practices in hydrological monitoring, smart reservoir operations and integrated river basin management for possible application in Sindh.
China Offers Technical Cooperation
Chinese officials expressed their willingness to share technical expertise and experience in water resource management and climate adaptation.
Both sides also discussed opportunities for future institutional cooperation in these areas.
The visit forms part of Murad Ali Shah’s week-long official tour of China, aimed at strengthening cooperation in infrastructure, investment, technology, education and sustainable development.
After the briefing, the delegation visited observation points overlooking the dam and its navigation system before returning to Wuhan for the next phase of the official programme.
