The Chief Minister of Sindh, 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 Sindh faces growing challenges from floods and water shortages.
Leading a high-level delegation, CM Sindh toured the dam on the Yangtze River and received a briefing from Chinese officials on hydroelectric power generation, flood control, water storage and river management.
The delegation included provincial ministers Sharjeel Inam Memon, Jam Khan Shoro and Muhammad Bux Khan Mahar, as well as Special Assistant to the Chief Minister Syed Qasim Naveed and senior government officials.
The chief minister toured various sections of the dam and received a detailed presentation from Chinese officials on the planning, construction and operation of the world’s largest hydroelectric power station.
Chinese officials told the delegation that the dam, completed in 2012 after nearly two decades of construction, has an installed generating capacity of 22,500 megawatts and produces more than 100 terawatt-hours of electricity annually.
During the briefing, the chief minister showed particular interest in the dam’s integrated approach to water storage, flood regulation, and real-time hydrological monitoring systems.
Murad Ali Shah said Sindh faces recurring floods during the monsoon season and water shortages during dry periods, challenges that have increased concerns about the effects of climate change.
“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.
He 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.
The provincial government would examine whether elements of China’s water management model could be adapted to Sindh, particularly in reservoir operations, flood forecasting, sediment management and freshwater storage, he said.
The Chief Minister also highlighted the need to protect the Indus Delta, where seawater intrusion threatens coastal communities and ecosystems. He said future water infrastructure projects must balance development 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.
He directed officials accompanying the delegation to study Chinese best practices in hydrological monitoring, smart reservoir operations and integrated river basin management for possible adaptation in Sindh.
Chinese officials expressed their willingness to share technical expertise and experiences in water resource management and climate adaptation, while both sides discussed opportunities for future institutional cooperation in these areas.
The visit formed part of the chief minister’s week-long official tour of China aimed at strengthening cooperation in infrastructure, investment, technology, education and sustainable development.
Following 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 program.