Characteristics
- The Brahmaputra River originates near Kailash ranges in the Himalayas, flowing through Tibet, Bhutan, India, and Bangladesh, ranking second to the Amazon in specific yield.
- The river’s source, Tamchok Khambab Kangri, lies in the Kanglung Kang Glacier, southwest of the Tibetan plateau at an elevation of 5,300 m, near Konggyu Tso Lake.
- With a catchment area of 580,000 sq. km, the Brahmaputra experiences heavy rainfall, especially in Assam, leading to annual floods and riverbank erosion.
- Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh in the Brahmaputra basin witness snow cover, and the region collectively represents 55.48% of India’s forest cover.
- Majuli, recognized by UNESCO, is the world’s oldest and largest inhabited riverine island in Assam.
- The Brahmaputra river system holds a hydroelectric potential of 66,065 MW.
- The river’s average slope decreases from 2.82 m/Km in Tibet to 0.1 m/Km in Assam, causing braiding in the valley.
- In Assam, the river is joined by numerous tributaries, leading to braiding due to high sediment load from rain-fed tributaries.
- The Brahmaputra valley experiences heavy precipitation during the monsoon months, causing floods, with additional flooding in June due to saturated soil from April and May thunderstorms.
- The coincidence of tributary floods with the Brahmaputra flood results in severe problems and devastation in the region.
Brahmaputra River System – Important Facts
The Brahmaputra River System, originating in Tibet, spans India and Bangladesh, covering 2,900 km, and supporting diverse ecosystems and communities. The article discusses the Brahmaputra River, its origin, length, tributaries, impact, challenges, dams, and Ganga Brahmaputra Delta, spanning Tibet, India, and Bangladesh.