An Overview of the Brahmaputra River System

Abstract

The Brahmaputra River is an antecedent, snow fed, and large trans-Himalayan river originating in southern Tibet (China). It runs for a length of 2880 km and its river system drains parts of China, Bhutan, India and Bangladesh. Considerable variations in width, gradient, discharge and channel pattern occur throughout its course. The system is described here by dividing the course into ten unequal reaches. The name of each reach and number of notable tributaries joining it are given sequentially as follows: from the source to Pindzoling-8, Pindzoling to Gytsa Dzong-8, Gytsa Dzong to Monku-4, Monku to Pasighat-38, Pasighat to Laikaghat-6, Laikaghat to Dihingmukh-15, Dihingmukh to Dhansirimukh-14, Dhansirimukh to Pandu-33, Pandu to Dhubri-17 and Dhubri to Goalundo-7. The course through the plains of India and Bangladesh possess several distributary channels. The tributaries contributing a significant part of the discharge of the Brahmaputra are: the Kyi, Chu in Tibet; the Dihang, Lohit, Subansiri, Burhi Dihing, Kopili, Jia Bhareli, Manas and Gangadhar in India; and the Tista in Bangladesh.