Question

Why does the Brahmaputra in its Tibetan part have less silt, despite a longer course?

Answer 1

The Brahmaputra river in its Tibetan part has less silt as it is a very dry and cold area.

• The Brahmaputra river carries a smaller volume of water in Tibet.
• After the river enters India, it flows through regions having very high rainfall.
• In India, the Brahmaputra river carried a lot of silt and large volumes of water.
• The river bed rises due to heavy deposition of silt by the Brahmaputra river.
• Many riverine islands are formed by the river and the world’s largest riverine island – Majuli, is formed by the Brahmaputra river in Assam.
• In Assam, along the entire length of the river, braided channels are formed.
• Every year, widespread devastation is caused by the Brahmaputra river in Bangladesh and Indian state of Assam, due to floods caused by heavy rains.
• The Brahmaputra rises near Mansarovar lake in Tibet, its source is very close to the sources of Sutlej and Indus river.
• It flows parallel to the Himalayas in Eastward direction. It enters India in Arunachal Pradesh through a gorge. It makes a ‘U turn’ at Namcha Barwa and enters India.
• In Arunachal Pradesh it is known as Dihang, it is joined by many tributaries like Dibang, Lohit and others to form Brahmaputra in Assam.
• Brahmaputra is longer than the Indus river.