Barak River

Flow in Tibet

• Brahmaputra River originates in Chemyungdung Glacier in the Kailash Range of Tibet. 
• It traverses eastward longitudinally for 1,200 km in southern Tibet (known as Yarlung Tsangpo in Tibet). In Tibet, it receives water from tributaries (like Raga Tsangpo, Ngangchu, Kyichu etc.)

Flow in India

• After flowing for 1800 km eastward, Brahmaputra suddenly turns and emerges as a turbulent river after carving out a deep gorge (Dihang Gorge) in the Central Himalayas near Namcha Barwa. Here the river is known as Dihang or Siang. The river enters India in the west of Sadiya Town of Arunachal Pradesh.
• From Sadiya in Arunachal Pradesh to Dhubri in Assam, the river is navigable, and the Government of India has designated it as National Waterway 2. 
• Here also, a large number of tributaries join the Brahmaputra. These include 

• Note: Before the terrible floods of 1787, the Teesta was a tributary of the Ganga; however, it changed its path to join the Brahmaputra by heading east.
• Most of the Brahmaputra’s passage through Assam has a braided course. The river keeps on shifting its channel constantly. It forms many islands, the most important of which is Majauli (the largest river island in Asia, having 144 villages on it)
• Due to concentrated rainfall during the monsoon months, the river has to carry enormous amounts of water and silt, resulting in disastrous floods in the rainy season. Hence, it is also called a ‘River of Sorrow.’

Flow in Bangladesh

• At Dhubri, the river takes a southward turn and enters Bangladesh. 
• It flows for 270 km under the name Jamuna and joins the Ganga. The united stream is known as Padma.
• Later, Meghna joins Padma on the left bank (Meghna originated in the mountainous region of Assam). The united stream of Padma and Meghna is known as Meghna, which forms a broad estuary before entering the Bay of Bengal. 

• Origin: Kangse Glacier, Sikkim
• Teesta River enters Bangladesh after passing through West Bengal & meets Brahmaputra before entering the Bay of Bengal.
• It is the fourth largest river in Bangladesh after Brahmaputra, Ganga & Meghna.
• India & Bangladesh have a Water Dispute over sharing of the Teesta waters. After various rounds of dialogue, no consensus has been reached. It is the major source of irritant between Indo-Bangla Relations, which otherwise is a valuable ally of India.