_{Water diverted from mountain streams travels through these Pakka Kuhls before reaching farms, households, and eventually rejoining the natural watercourse further downstream.} 

_{Water diverts from the main Kuhl to smaller kachha kuhls, reaching farm fields and villages.} 

_{The water from Kuhls is diverted to several small kuhls that provide water to farm fields, following the terrains of the mountain. These water channels sustain a consistent water supply that supports agriculture in terranean farming before joining back the main stream.} 

_{During my fieldwork in Kandbari and neighbouring villages, I found abandoned Gharats which stopped functioning after inconsistent water availability and changing village economies.}

_{A Gharat from outside. Made of locally available materials such as rock, stone plates, mud and wood, these structures are an example of sustainable indigenous architecture and knowledge systems.}

_{Gharat from inside. The fennel moves grain downwards to the rotating wheel which grinds the grain. Unlike high-speed electric mills, the slow rotation of the grinding stones keeps the flour cooler during milling, a quality that many villagers associate with better taste and nutrition.}

_{A small gateway that controls water flow towards the rotating wheel. It also filters out the garbage that comes with water, which has increased in the last decade.} 

_{Beneath the Gharat, flowing water turns a wooden wheel below the floor. The wheel converts the kinetic energy of flowing water into mechanical power and then moves the grinding stone. This image was taken from a non-functional Gharat.} 

_{The electric substation that transmits electricity to the central grid, while many of the environmental and livelihood costs remain concentrated in the mountain communities where the projects are built.} 

_{This diversion structure redirects water towards the hydropower system, leaving downstream communities dependent on controlled releases rather than the river's natural flow.}

_{Another underground diversion point, from where stream water goes directly into the tunnel. As we can see in the image, the stream completely disappears after this point.} 

_{The stream after water diversion into tunnels.} 

_{The concrete elevated tunnel that carries water to the turbines maintaining same level of height against the terrain.} 

_{The discarded grinding stone reminds us of a culture that is disappearing into history.} 

_{The construction of dams, tunnels and roads leaves lasting footprints on mountain landscapes already vulnerable to landslides and ecological change. (Image: Rachit Tiwari)}

_{Made using Gemini}

_{Made using Gemini}

_{Made using Gemini}

_{Made using Gemini}

_{Made using Gemini}

_{Hydropower expansion in Northeast India is compounding flash floods, dry spells, and rural crises instead of buffering riverine communities against climate change. (Image: Rawpixel)}