Master Brahmaputra River with Beautiful MAPS

Brahmaputra river

The Brahmaputra river (Sanskrit: ब्रह्मापुत्र Brahmaputra), also called Tsangpo-Brahmaputra, is a transboundary river in Asia. It is the sixth-longest river in Asia, at 2,900 km (1,800 mi). It originates in the Tibetan Plateau and flows eastward for more than 2,900 km before emptying into the Bay of Bengal. The river is known by various names like Yarlung Tsangpo in Tibet, Siang or Dihang river in Arunachal Pradesh, and Jamuna river in Bangladesh.

The Brahmaputra river basin spreads across Tibet, Bhutan, India and Bangladesh covering a total area of 5,80,000 square kilometers. In India, the Brahmaputra basin covers the states of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, West Bengal, Meghalaya, Nagaland and Sikkim extending over 1,94,413 square kilometers.

The Brahmaputra river holds immense cultural and ecological significance in the region. It also serves as an important transportation waterway and source of irrigation for the countries it flows through including India and Bangladesh. The river supports a huge and diverse range of wildlife and habitats in the region.

In this article, the UCN Team provides a detailed analysis, presenting beautiful and detailed Brahmaputra river Maps, alongwith key concepts and insights on the Brahmaputra River and its tributaries.

Origin and Course

The Brahmaputra river originates from the Chemayungdung mountain ranges, at an elevation of 5,150 metres, just south of the Konggyu Tsho lake (kunggyu Co). The Chemayungdung Glacier, located in this region, is the primary source of the river’s water. In Tibet, the river is known as the Yarlung Tsangpo. The river flows eastward for around 1600 km through the Tibetan Plateau parallel to the Himalayan ranges before entering India, In India, it flows for 916 km.

The river enters India in Arunachal Pradesh where it is called the Siang or Dihang river. At the India border, the river takes an S-shaped bend near Bishing village which is the last Indian village before the Chinese border.

Further downstream, the Siang/Dihang river is joined by the Lohit and Dibang rivers to form the mighty Brahmaputra river. The Brahmaputra then flows in a south-easterly direction for around 230 km through Arunachal Pradesh before entering the Assam valley. The river travels a total distance of 916 km within India through the states of Arunachal Pradesh and Assam. After entering Bangladesh, the Brahmaputra river is known as the Jamuna river, and it is joined by the Ganga river, known as the Padma river in Bangladesh. And finally, the river Brahmaputra empties its water into the Bay of Bengal.

The Brahmaputra River Basin

The Brahmaputra river basin is an expansive one covering several countries including China, Bhutan, India and Bangladesh.

In India, the Brahmaputra basin extends across the following states:

The total drainage area of the Brahmaputra basin in India is 1,94,413 sq km which is about 5.9% of the country’s total geographical area.

The entire Brahmaputra river basin encompasses a massive area of 5,80,000 sq km as it spreads across Tibet, Bhutan, India and Bangladesh. The Brahmaputra truly is one of the largest river basins in Asia.

Left and Right bank Brahmaputra river tributaries

Left bank tributaries of brahmaputra river

Left bank tributaries of the river Brahmaputra have common features: they have flatter grades, fine alluvial soils, comparatively low silt charge, and deep meandering channels.

Lets see them one by one:

Siang river

The Siang River originates from the Kailash Range glaciers of the Himalayas at 5300 meters altitude. In Tibet, it is called the Yarlung Tsangpo. The Siang River flows east for about 1600 km through the Tibetan Plateau before entering India through a deep gorge in Arunachal Pradesh. In India, it flows south/southeast for 230 km until reaching Pasighat. The Lohit and Dibang Rivers join the Siang River 30 km after Pasighat to form the mighty Brahmaputra River.

Dibang river

The Dibang River is located in Arunachal Pradesh, India. It originates near the Indo-Chinese border in the Upper Dibang Valley district. The Dibang flows through the Mishmi Hills in the Dibang and Lower Dibang Valley districts. Locally, the river is called Sikang.

The Dibang River is 195 kilometers long. It joins the Lohit River north of the Dibu-Saikhowa sanctuary near Sadiya, Assam. The Dibang has several tributaries including the Dri, Mathun, Talon, Eme, Ahi, Emra, and Awa.

The Dibang Valley district is named after the river that flows through it. The Dibang meets the Lohit River near Sadiya before joining the Brahmaputra River.

Lohit river

The Lohit River originates in eastern Tibet where it is called the Zayu River. It flows through the Zayal Chu mountain range and is formed by the merger of two rivers – the Kangri Karpo Chu and Zayul Chu.

The Lohit enters India through Arunachal Pradesh, flowing for 200 km through the Mishmi Hills. Here it merges with the Siang River to form the Brahmaputra River.

The reddish color of the Lohit comes from the large amounts of lateritic soil it carries.

The Lohit flows into the Assam plains near India’s easternmost inhabited area called Kibithu. The Dhola-Sadiya Bridge over the Lohit connects Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. It is the longest bridge in India.

The river is also used by the Indian Army for expeditions and training. The Lohit is the farthest east tributary of the Brahmaputra.

Burhi Dihang / Burhi dihing river

The Burhi Dihing River, also called the Dihing River, is a major tributary of the Brahmaputra River in Upper Assam, India. It starts in the Eastern Himalayas in the Patkai Hills of Arunachal Pradesh.

The Dihing is formed by the joining of two smaller rivers – the Namphuk and Namchik. It flows southwest through the Patkai Hills, creating many oxbow lakes along its middle course due to changes in its channel over time.

The approximately 380 km long Dihing River flows through the Tinsukia and Dibrugarh Districts of Assam before joining the Brahmaputra at Dihingmukh.

Historically, the Dihing used to meet the Brahmaputra much farther downstream at Mahuramukh in Bokakhat.

The Dihing valley is known for tea cultivation, rubber plantations, wet rice fields, bamboo orchards and oil fields. The river is home to diverse flora and fauna, including the Joy-Dihing tropical rainforest.

Dhansiri river

The Dhansiri River originates from the Laisang peak in Nagaland. It forms the boundary between Cachar, Nagaon and Nagaland districts from its source to Dimapur.

Beyond Dimapur, the 354 km long Dhansiri River enters and flows through the Karbi-Along and Golaghat districts of Assam before joining the Brahmaputra River on its south bank.

The Dhansiri has a total catchment area of 1220 sq km. Along its banks lie important wood-bearing forests like Intanki. The Dhansiri, along with the Kapili River, has completely isolated the Mikir Hills from the Peninsular Plateau due to headward erosion.

The river is known for its rich biodiversity, including the Joy-Dihing tropical rainforest. The Dhansiri is a major contributor to the Brahmaputra River system.

Kopili river

The Kopili River is a major left bank tributary of the Brahmaputra in Northeast India. It originates from the Saipong Reserve Forest in southeast Meghalaya.

The 256 km long Kopili forms a common border between Meghalaya and Assam for 78 km. The remaining 178 km of the river flows through Assam before joining the Brahmaputra at Kopilimukh.

The Kopili has a total catchment area of 16,420 sq km. It is the largest south bank tributary of the Brahmaputra in Assam.

The river flows through the Meghalaya plateau, central Assam and the hill districts of Assam. Known for its rocky and swift nature, the Kopili features many waterfalls and supports rare wildlife.

The river has been harnessed for irrigation and power projects, including the Kopili Flow Irrigation Scheme and the Kopili Hydro Electric Project. It is an important geographical and ecological feature of Northeast India.

Right bank tributaries

Right bank tributaries of the Brahmaputra have common features: a steep slope, coarse sandy beds, shallow braided channels, and carry a heavy silt charge.

Have a look at them one by one:

Subansiri river

The Subansiri River rises in Tibet beyond the Himalayas, making it a trans-Himalayan river. It is formed by several small streams with “chu” in their names, including Tsari Chu, Chayal Chu and Sikung Chu, which is considered the main source.

The Subansiri is the largest tributary of the Brahmaputra River. With a length of about 442 km, 192 km of the Subansiri flows through Arunachal Pradesh and 190 km through Assam before joining the Brahmaputra at Jamurighat.

The Subansiri enters India near Taksing, flowing through the Miri Hills and then south to the Assam Valley where it meets the Brahmaputra.

Known for its swift flow and scenic forests, the Subansiri is one of the top spots for white water rafting in India. It has a diverse ecosystem and is home to one of the biggest hydroelectric projects in India. The Lower Subansiri Dam, also known as the Lower Subansiri Hydro-Electric Project, is an under-construction dam on the river, expected to supply 2,000 MW of power when completed.

Kameng river

The Kameng River, previously called the Bharali River, originates from a glacial lake near the Nyegi Kangsang mountain in Arunachal Pradesh, close to the Indo-Tibetan border.

It flows through the Tawang district before joining the Brahmaputra River at Tezpur, just east of the Kolia Bhomora Setu bridge.

The approximately 250 km long Kameng forms the boundary between the East and West Kameng districts in Arunachal Pradesh. It also separates the Sessa and Eaglenest sanctuaries on its west from the Pakke Tiger Reserve on its east.

The Kameng enters Assam near Bhalukpong where it ends its hilly course. Known for rapids, it is popular for water sports like rafting and kayaking.

The river is fed by tributaries including the Tippi, Tenga, Bichom and Dirang Chu. It has historical significance as it was the border between many medieval period kingdoms.

Manas river

The Manas River originates in Tibet and is a trans-Himalayan river. It flows for 24 km in Tibet before entering Bhutan, where the Manas river system is the largest. The river then enters India and joins the Brahmaputra River.

The Manas basin covers an area of 34,160 sq km up to the NH crossing. It enters the Assam plains near Mathanguri, where it splits into two branches – the eastern Beki and western Manas. The Manas meets the Brahmaputra near Jogighopa.

The Manas valley is bounded by the Bhutan hills, Pohumara basin, Champamati basin and the Brahmaputra.

The river flows through two crucial protected areas – the Royal Manas National Park in Bhutan and the Manas Wildlife Sanctuary in India.

The Manas is home to diverse flora and fauna, including many endangered species. The Manas Sanctuary provides critical habitat for tigers, rhinos, deer and other wildlife.

Sankosh river

The Sankosh River rises in northern Bhutan where it is known as Puna Tsang Chu and is one of the most beautiful rivers in Bhutan. Flowing through hilly terrain, the Sankosh carries a lot of silt and has steep, shallow braided channels.

The Sankosh enters India and forms the border between Assam and West Bengal as it flows onward. It eventually enters Bangladesh and joins the Brahmaputra near the Indo-Bangladesh boundary. The Sankosh is a glacial-fed transboundary river that has been studied for its terraces in the Assam-Bhutan Himalayan foothills.

Teesta river

The Tista River is the largest river in North Bengal. It originates from the Zemu glacier in the Himalayas of North Sikkim, part of the Kanchenjunga mountain range.

The Tista is the lifeline of Sikkim. Flowing through narrow gorges for 138 km, it enters the plains at Sevoke in the Jalpaiguri district. Beyond Jalpaiguri town, the river changes course frequently.

After traversing 309 km, the Tista joins the Brahmaputra River near Rangpur town in Bangladesh.

Originating in the Himalayas, the Tista has carved a deep gorge in the Darjeeling hills, dividing them into the Tiger Hill and Kalimpong Hill ranges.

The Teesta River is an important river in Sikkim and West Bengal before entering Bangladesh and merging with the Brahmaputra. It is fed by streams and lakes in the eastern Himalayas.

Physiography and Climate

The Brahmaputra basin in India has diverse physiographic features consisting of mountains, hills, valleys and plains.

• The upper parts of the basin in Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland are mostly mountain ranges and narrow valleys.
• Hills, forests and tea gardens cover a major portion of the basin area in Assam, Meghalaya and West Bengal. The Cooch Bihar and West Dinajpur regions have fertile plains.

The climate of the Brahmaputra basin can be divided into four main seasons:

• Winter (December – February): Temperature ranges from 15°C to 17.5°C. Lower temperatures in the Himalayan upper reaches.
• Summer (March – May): Temperature varies from 25°C to 27.5°C. Hot weather with isolated thunderstorms.
• Monsoon (June – September): Heavy widespread rainfall. Temperatures range from 27.5°C to 30°C. July and August are the rainiest months.
• Autumn (October – November): Temperatures between 25°C to 27.5°C. Some rainfall due to retreating monsoons.

The Brahmaputra basin receives abundant rainfall, especially during the monsoon when 85% of annual precipitation occurs in a short span of period.

Flooding and Erosion

The Brahmaputra river is prone to annual flooding, especially during the monsoon months between June to September.

• The river floods twice every year – once due to the melting of Himalayan snow in summer and again during the monsoons.
• In Assam, the Brahmaputra river is joined by numerous tributaries which also experience flood waves. Coincidence of flood waves in the Brahmaputra and its tributaries leads to severe flooding.

The extensive flooding causes major damage through erosion along the river banks. Erosion is accelerated by the high silt load carried by Brahmaputra’s tributaries.

• Tributaries originating from the north like Subansiri and Manas are especially erosion-prone due to their geography.

Efforts are being made to control the flooding and manage the mighty Brahmaputra river:

• The Brahmaputra Board was established in 1980 to prepare master plans for flood control and bank erosion prevention. Flood forecasting systems are also in place, with the Central Water Commission operating 27 flood forecasting stations.

Significance and Issues

The Brahmaputra river holds immense significance for the region:

• It serves as a major transportation waterway for the movement of goods and people within northeastern India and Bangladesh.
• The river’s water is extensively used for irrigation to support agriculture in its basin areas.
• The river basin is home to a diverse range of ecologies and wildlife. Protected areas like the Kaziranga National Park fall within the basin.
• The Brahmaputra holds important cultural significance in India and Bangladesh as a sacred river.

However, some major issues and challenges exist when it comes to managing the Brahmaputra river basin:

• Dam building activities, especially in China, raise concerns about downstream environmental impacts.
• Climate change is projected to increase variability in the river’s flows, posing challenges.
• Water sharing of the transboundary river has been a point of dispute between India, China and Bangladesh.
• Annual flooding causes extensive damage and loss of lives and property.
• River bank erosion eats into precious land area in states like Assam every year.

Better regional cooperation, sustainable dam development and increased disaster preparedness are required to manage the river basin effectively.

Final Thoughts

Here are the UCN team’s final thoughts on the mighty Brahmaputra river after doing careful evaluation. The Brahmaputra is one of the major transboundary river systems in Asia originating in the Tibetan plateau and flowing through China, India and Bangladesh. Its massive basin covers 5,80,000 sq km across several countries. In India, the Brahmaputra basin spans 1,94,413 sq km over 6 states. The river is fed by major left bank tributaries like Siang, Lohit and Dibang and right bank tributaries including Subansiri, Manas and Teesta before emptying into the Bay of Bengal.

The Brahmaputra holds great cultural, ecological and economic significance for the region. However, major challenges like flooding, erosion, climate change impacts and water sharing disputes need to be addressed through increased regional cooperation and sustainable management of the river system. More comprehensive monitoring and data sharing between countries is crucial for long-term collaboration in managing the expansive Brahmaputra river and its complex basin.

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