Brahmaputra River
Geography of Brahmaputra River
The river is about 2900 km long. The maximum depth of the river is 120 meter and the average depth is 38 metre. When the Himalayan snow melts the river creates flood situation.
Brahmaputra drains the Himalaya the east of the Indo-Nepal border, southern-central portion of the Tibetan plateau above the Ganges basin, south eastern portion of Tibetan plateau above the Ganges basin, south eastern portion of Tibet, the Patkai-Bum hills, the northern slopes of Meghalaya hills, the Assam plains and the northern portion of Bangladesh. Kanchenjunga is the highest point within the Brahmaputra basin.
Etymology of Brahmaputra River
History of Brahmaputra River
In 1884-86 the identity of the river with the yarlung Tsangpo was established by exploration. The river is also called Tsangpo-Brahmaputra. With the development of the new channel of the Jamuna in 1987 the course of the Brahmaputra changed.
Course of Brahmaputra River
The major tributaries of Brahmaputra are the Burhi Dihing, Dibang, Lohit river, Dhansiri river, Raidak river, Jaldhaka river, Teesta river, the Disang, the Dikhu and the Kopili. The river is joined by Jia Bhoreli river in Sonitpur. Brahmaputra divides into two channels-the northern Kherkutia channel and the southern Brahmaputra channel in Dibrugarh and Lakhimpur districts. These two channels join to form Majuli island.
At Guwahati the Brahmaputra cuts through the rocks of the Shillong Plateau and is at its narrowest at 1 kilometer. The battle of Saraighat was fought in the place in 1671. Brahmaputra enters Bangladesh after turning south around the Garo hills below Dhubri in Assam. In Bangladesh Brahmaputra is joined by the Teesta River which is one of its largest tributaries.
The Brahmaputra River originating from Tibet, flowing in Assam and reaching Bangladesh maintains the confluence of climatic condition of the three countries. The climate of the valley varies from harsh, cold and dry conditions of Tibet to hot and humid conditions of Assam and Bangladesh. Brahmaputra valley lies in the rain shadow of the Himalayas.
Monsoon in the Brahmaputra valley is characterized by wet and dry climate. Precipitation and humidity remains high. The environment of the Brahmaputra floodplains have been described as the Brahmaputra Valley semi-evergreen forests ecoregion. During monsoon floods are a common occurrence.
Tributaries of Brahmaputra River
The Manas River is one of the most important tributary of the Brahmaputra. It originates in Bhutan, flows through southern Bhutan and Assam and finally joins the Brahmaputra in Jogighopa. The Manas River has a length of 376 kms and is characterized by hilly steep forests in the upper reaches and plain on the lower end of the river.
Raidak River
The Raidak River is another tributary of the Brahmaputra in its lower course. It originates in Bhutan in the Himalayas and flows through Bhutan, India and Bangladesh before joining the Brahmaputra in Kurigram district of Bangladesh. The total length of the river is 370 kms and is joined by other sub tributaries in Bhutan.
Sankosh River
It is another tributary which originates from Bhutan and flows into the Brahmaputra in Assam, India. It is known as Puna Tsang in Bhutan and has two largest sub tributaries namely Mo Chhu and Pho Chhu.
Kameng River
The Jia Bhorali River or the Kameng River is another important tributary of the Brahmaputra which originates in Tawang district of Arunachal Pradesh from a glacial lake situated below the Gori Chen Mountain on the Indo-Tibetan border. It flows through Arunachal Pradesh, Sonitpur district of Assam and then finally joins the Brahmaputra in Tezpur.
Dhansiri River
Another important tributary of the Brahmaputra is the Dhansiri River. it originates in the Laisang peak of Nagaland and flows through Dimapur district of Nagaland and Golaghat district of Assam before joining the Brahmaputra just 5 kms away from the Kaziranga Wildlife Sanctuary. Earlier, the Dhansiri River used to flow through the Kaziranga National Park, but with time it has changed course to meet the Brahmaputra 5 kms away. this abandoned course is now called the Mora Dhansiri.
Dihing River
The Dihing River is another important tributary of the Brahmaputra. It originates in the eastern Himalayas in Patkai mountain range and flows through Arunachal Pradesh, Tinsukia and Dibrugarh districts of Assam before finally merging with the Brahmaputra in Dihingmukh. The Dihing has a number of oxbow lakes in its course.
Lohit River
The Lohit River is another important tributary of the Brahmaputra. It originates in eastern Tibet in the Zayal Chu range and flows through Arunachal Pradesh for two kms before entering the plains of Assam. Here it joins the Siang at the head of Brahmaputra valley and merges into the Brahmaputra. The name Lohit is given due to the turbulent nature of the river. It is tempestuous and turbulent, hence also known as Lohit or ‘river of blood’. This river is used for army expeditions, trekking, river rafting and a host of other adventure activities.
Tista River
Tista or Teesta River is another tributary of the Brahmaputra originating from Cholomo Lake Sikkim and flowing through the Himalayan ranges to enter Bangladesh and merge into the Brahmaputra as one of its tributary in Bangladesh.
Subansiri River
It is another important tributary of the Brahmaputra which originates in the Himalayas in China and flows through Tibet and India. It has a length of 442 kms and joins the Brahmaputra in Lakhimpur district of Assam.
Bhogdoi River
Another tributary of the Brahmaputra is the Bhogdoi River. It originates in the Naga Hills and flows through the city of Jorhat in Assam before joining another sub tributary of the Brahmaputra, before flowing and merging with the mighty Brahmaputra. These two tributaries together are known as Gelabill. It was previously known as Desoi.
Utility
Brahmaputra Tourism
- There are all types of local craft, powered launches and streamers that easily travel up and down the river.
- Brahmaputra River Cruise: The Brahmaputra River Cruise facility has seen a significant rise in the past some years. There are hills and sanctuaries at every interval that make the Brahmaputra River cruise attractive. Wildlife and wilderness is the main feature of the cruise on Brahmaputra. The Kaziranga national park lies in the flood plains of the Brahmaputra River.
- The Brahmaputra Cruise Pvt Ltd has also been launched recently. The Brahmaputra Cruise Pvt Ltd provides one of the best experiences to people interested in river cruising. The cruise also gives access to Manas, a tiger reserve. Tourists can see river dolphin and migratory birds while cruising on Brahmaputra. They can also visit some most famous bird destination and some exciting birds trek in Nameri National Park and visit Majuli, the largest human inhabited river island in the world.
- The Assam Bengal Navigation offers long distance cruises on the river. A number of new cruises are also planned in the river.
- Brahmaputra cruises operate from September to April. They feature attraction such as wildlife viewing, village walks, visit to tea gardens etc.
- Alfresco, the floating restaurant was started to explore river tourism.
Related Article: Natural Resources of Guwahati
Read more : About-Guwahati,Accoland, Accommodation-in-Guwahati, Administration-of-Guwahati, Ambulance-Services-in-Guwahati, Art-Galleries-in-Guwahati, Arunachal-Carnival-in-Guwahati, Assam-State-Museum, Assam State Zoo, Aswaklanta Temple, Basistha-Temple, Balaji-Temple-in-Guwahati, Cafes-in-Guwahati, Budget-Hotels-in-Guwahati, Cafes-in-Guwahati, Churches-in-Guwahati, Culture-of-Guwahati, Durga-Puja-Shopping-in-Guwahati, Dipor-Beel, Electricity-Offices-in-Guwahati, Emergency-Services-in-Guwahati, Entertainment-in-Guwahati, Facts-and-Figures, Festivals-in-Guwahati, Fire-Stations-in-Guwahati, Flights-from-Guwahati, Food-and-Live-Performances-in-Guwahati, Government-Offices-in-Guwahati, Guwahati-and-its-Photographers, Guwahati-District-Court, Guwahati-Handloom-and-Handicraft, Guwahati-High-Court, Guwahati-in-One-Day, Guwahati-International-Film-Festival, Guwahati-Municipal-Corporation, Transport-in-Guwahati