The Brahmaputra is a transboundary river that flows through three countries: Southwestern China, Northeastern India, and Bangladesh. It originates from the Angsi Glacier in Tibet and covers a length of approximately 2,900 km, making it the 15th longest river in the world. The Brahmaputra is the 9th largest river in the world by discharge, which highlights its enormous volume of water flow. Unlike most rivers on the Indian subcontinent that have female names, the Brahmaputra has a rare male name. In Sanskrit, "Brahmaputra" means "son of Brahma". The river is essential for agriculture, especially in the fertile plains of Assam, where it supports rice and jute cultivation. The Brahmaputra is prone to flooding, especially during the monsoon season, which can lead to significant damage in the floodplains. The river’s dynamic nature and the shifting of its channels pose challenges for settlement and agriculture along its banks.
The Brahmaputra River is known by different names as it flows through various regions and countries:
Yarlung Tsangpo: Tibet Autonomous Region, China. In Tibetan, "Tsangpo" means "purifier."
Siang/Dihang: Arunachal Pradesh, India
Brahmaputra: Assam, India
Jamuna: Bangladesh
Padma (after merging with the Ganges): Bangladesh
Meghna: Bangladesh. In the final stretch before it flows into the Bay of Bengal, the river is known as the Meghna.
Source of Brahmaputra River:
The Brahmaputra River originates from the Angsi Glacier in the Himalayas, located in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China. The river initially flows eastward across southern Tibet for about 1,700 km (1,056 miles).
The Yarlung Tsangpo flows through a broad valley, bordered by high mountain ranges. It then cuts through the Himalayas, forming the Yarlung Tsangpo Gorge, one of the world’s deepest and longest gorges.
In India, the Brahmaputra River flows through the states of:
Arunachal Pradesh
Assam
Meghalaya
Nagaland
West Bengal
Sikkim
Confluence with the Ganges:
The Brahmaputra (Jamuna) merges with the Ganges (Padma) near the town of Goalundo in Bangladesh. The combined waters of the Brahmaputra and Ganges form the Padma River, which later merges with the Meghna River.
The river finally empties into the Bay of Bengal through a vast delta known as the Sundarbans, one of the largest river deltas in the world.
Left Bank Tributaries of Brahmaputra River:
Lhasa River
Nyang River
Parlung Zangbo River
Lohit River
Originates in eastern Tibet and travels through the Mishmi Hills to join the Siang at the head of the Brahmaputra Valley.
Dhanashri River
Originates in the Naga Hills and flows through Nagaland and Assam before joining the Brahmaputra.
It is a main river of Golaghat district of Assam and Dimapur district of Nagaland
Kolong River
Right Bank Tributaries of Brahmaputra River:
Kameng River
Originates in the Tawang district of Arunachal Pradesh
It flows through the West Kameng District in Arunachal Pradesh and the Sonitpur District in Assam.
Forms boundary between East Kameng and West Kameng districts
The river is close to the Pakhui Wildlife Sanctuary and Kaziranga National Park.
Manas River
A transboundary river that flows through the Himalayan foothills, between southern Bhutan and India.
Originating in Bhutan, it traverses Assam before merging with the Brahmaputra River at Jogighopa.
The river valley encompasses two significant protected areas:
Royal Manas National Park in Bhutan
Manas Wildlife Sanctuary in India.
Beki River
Raidak River
Jaldhaka River
Teesta River
Origins at Tso Lhamo Lake in North Sikkim.
Major tributary - Rangeet River, joins Teesta River at Tribeni.
Subansiri River
Known as the Gold River due to its renowned gold dust
Flows through the Lower Subansiri District in Arunachal Pradesh.
Sankosh River
Originates in northern Bhutan
Drains into the Brahmaputra River in Assam.
Kopili River
It is an interstate river in Northeast India, flowing through Meghalaya and Assam.
It is the largest south-bank tributary of the Brahmaputra in Assam.
Cities and Towns on the Banks of the Brahmaputra River:
Dibrugarh: Assam
Pasighat: East Siang district of Arunachal Pradesh. It lies on the banks of the Siang River, which is the name given to the Brahmaputra before it enters Assam.
Neamati: A small town located near Jorhat in Assam. It is known for the Neamati Ghat, a significant ferry point that connects to the river island of Majuli.
Tezpur: Assam
Guwahati: It is the largest city in Assam. The Brahmaputra River flows through the heart of Guwahati, with several key landmarks located along its banks:
Kamakhya Temple
Umananda Island
Saraighat Bridge
Hydel Power Projects on Brahmaputra River System:
Arunachal Pradesh:
Tawang Hydel Power Project
Subansiri Hydel Power Project
Ranganadi Hydel Power Project
Paki Hydel Power Project
Papumpap Hydel Power Project
Dhinkrong Hydel Power Project
Sikkim:
Rangit Hydel Power Project
Tista Hydel Power Project.
Assam:
Kopili Hydel Power Project
Meghalaya:
New Umtru Hydel Power Project
Nagaland:
Doyang Hydel Power Project
Manipur:
Loktak Hydel Power Project
Tipaimukh Hydel Power Project
Mizoram:
Tuibai Hydel Power Project
Tuirial Hydel Power Project
Dhaleshwari Hydel Power Project