Brahmaputra River System- Himalayan Rivers

Sandarbha Desk
Sandarbha Desk

Brahmaputra River

  • It originates from the Chemayungdung Glacier in Tibet southeast of Mansarovar lake very close to the sources of the Indus and the Satluj.
  • It is slightly longer than the Indus, and most of its course lies outside India.
  • In Tibet, the river carries a smaller volume of water and less silt as it is a cold and a dry region.
  • It flows eastwards for nearly 1100 Km between the Great Himalayas range to the south and the Kailas Range to the north.
  • On reaching the Namcha Barwa, it takes a ‘U’ turn and enters India in Arunachal Pradesh through a gorge.
  • Here, it is called the Dihang and it is joined by the Dibang, the Lohit and many other tributaries to form the Brahmaputra in Assam. It enters Assam near Sadia.
  • In India, it passes through a region of high rainfall. Hence, it carries a large volume of water and considerable amount of silt.
  • The Brahmaputra has a braided channel in its entire length in Assam and forms many riverine islands. Majuli is the world’s largest riverine island formed by the river.
  • It is marked by huge deposits of silt on its bed causing the river bed to rise. The river also shifts its channel frequently.
  • So every year during the rainy season, the river overflows its banks, causing widespread devastation due to floods in Assam and Bangladesh.
  • It is known as Tsang Po in Tibet and Jamuna in Bangladesh.
  • In Bangladesh, it merges with Ganga to form Padma.
  • Padma joins meghna which flows into the Bay of Bengal.
  • In India, it flows through the states of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, West Bengal, Meghalaya, Nagaland and Sikkim. The statewise distribution of drainage area is:

brmputra

TRIBUTARIES

  • North Bank Tributaries
  1. Jiadhal
  2. Subansiri
  3. Siang (Dihang)
  4. Kameng ( Jiabharali in Assam)
  5. Dhansiri (North)
  6. Puthimari
  7. Pagladiya
  8. Manas
  9. Champamati
  10. Saralbhanga
  11. Aie
  12. Bornadi
  13. Borolia
  14. Gabharu
  15. Pahumara
  • South Bank Tributaries
  1. Noa Dehing
  2. Buridehing
  3. Debang
  4. Dikhow
  5. Dhansiri (South)-rises in Nagaland
  6. Kolang Kapili
  7. Digaru
  8. Dudhnai
  9. Krishnai
  10. Kulsi
  11. Disang
  12. Jhanji
  13. Jinari
  • In addition, 6 tributaries namely Tista (rises in Sikkim), Sankosh, Raidak-I, Raidak-II, Torsa and the Jaldhaka flowing through the northern West Bengal also join the mainstream of Brahmaputra but, in the plains of Bangladesh.

Read More: Indian River System

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