Brahmaputra River

• It originates from the Chemayungdung Glacier in Tibet southeast  Brahmaputra River of Mansarovar lake very close to the sources of the Indus and the Satluj.
• It is slightly longer than the Indus, and most of its course lies outside India.
• In Tibet, the river carries a smaller volume of water and less silt as it is a cold and a dry region.
• It flows eastwards for nearly 1100 Km between the Great Himalayas range to the south and the Kailas Range to the north.
• On reaching the Namcha Barwa, it takes a ‘U’ turn and enters India in Arunachal Pradesh through a gorge.
• Here, it is called the Dihang and it is joined by the Dibang, the Lohit and many other tributaries to form the Brahmaputra in Assam. It enters Assam near Sadia.
• In India, it passes through a region of high rainfall. Hence, it carries a large volume of water and considerable amount of silt.
• The Brahmaputra has a braided channel in its entire length in Assam and forms many riverine islands. Majuli is the world’s largest riverine island formed by the river.
• It is marked by huge deposits of silt on its bed causing the river bed to rise. The river also shifts its channel frequently.
• So every year during the rainy season, the river overflows its banks, causing widespread devastation due to floods in Assam and Bangladesh.
• It is known as Tsang Po in Tibet and Jamuna in Bangladesh.
• In Bangladesh, it merges with Ganga to form Padma.
• Padma joins meghna which flows into the Bay of Bengal.
• In India, it flows through the states of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, West Bengal, Meghalaya, Nagaland and Sikkim. The statewise distribution of drainage area is:

TRIBUTARIES ( Brahmaputra River ) 

• North Bank Tributaries

1. Jiadhal
2. Subansiri
3. Siang (Dihang)
4. Kameng ( Jiabharali in Assam)
5. Dhansiri (North)
6. Puthimari
7. Pagladiya
8. Manas
9. Champamati
10. Saralbhanga
11. Aie
12. Bornadi
13. Borolia
14. Gabharu
15. Pahumara

• South Bank Tributaries ( Brahmaputra River )

1. Noa Dehing
2. Buridehing
3. Debang
4. Dikhow
5. Dhansiri (South)-rises in Nagaland
6. Kolang Kapili
7. Digaru
8. Dudhnai
9. Krishnai
10. Kulsi
11. Disang
12. Jhanji
13. Jinari

• In addition, 6 tributaries namely Tista (rises in Sikkim), Sankosh, Raidak-I, Raidak-II, Torsa and the Jaldhaka flowing through the northern West Bengal also join the mainstream of Brahmaputra but, in the plains of Bangladesh.

Read More: Indian River System