View source for Brahmaputra River

{{Short description|River in China, India and Bangladesh}}
{{other uses|Brahmaputra (disambiguation)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2023}}
{{Use Indian English|date=August 2019}}
{{Infobox river
 | name                 = Brahmaputra
 | native_name          = 
 | name_other           = 
 | name_etymology       = From Sanskrit ब्रह्मपुत्र (brahmaputra, "son of [[Brahma]]"), from ब्रह्मा (brahmā, "Brahma") + पुत्र (putra, "son").
 | image                = Brahmaputra from Hatisila Guwahati1.jpg
 | image_size           = 300
 | image_caption        = Brahmaputra River in [[Guwahati]], [[Assam]], India
 | map                  = Brahmapoutre.png
 | map_size             = 300
 | map_caption          = Path of the Brahmaputra River
 | pushpin_map          = 
 | pushpin_map_size     = 300
 | pushpin_map_caption  = 
| mapframe              = yes
| mapframe-zoom         = 4
<!---------------------- LOCATION -->
 | subdivision_type1    = Countries
 | subdivision_name1    = {{hlist|[[China]]|[[India]]|[[Bangladesh]]}}
 | subdivision_type2    = Autonomous Region
 | subdivision_name2    = [[Tibet Autonomous Region|Tibet]]
 | subdivision_type4    = 
 | subdivision_name4    = 
 | subdivision_type5    = Cities
 | subdivision_name5    = {{hlist|[[Dhemaji]]|[[Dibrugarh]]|[[Jorhat]]|[[Tezpur]]|[[Guwahati]]|[[Dhubri]]|[[Sirajganj]]|[[Mymensingh]]|[[Tangail]]}}
<!---------------------- PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS -->
 | length               = {{cvt|2,880|km|mi|abbr=on}}<ref name="Flood Inundation Mapping of the Sparsely Gauged Large-Scale Brahmaputra Basin Using Remote Sensing Products">{{cite journal|journal=Remote Sensing|doi=10.3390/rs11050501|last1=Biswa|first1=Bhattacharya|last2=Maurizio|first2=Mazzoleni|last3=Reyne|first3=Ugay|title=Flood Inundation Mapping of the Sparsely Gauged Large-Scale Brahmaputra Basin Using Remote Sensing Products|date=2019|volume=11|issue=5|page=501 |doi-access=free |bibcode=2019RemS...11..501B }}</ref>
{{cvt|3,080|km|mi|abbr=on}}{{refn|name=length|group=n|The river is {{cvt|3,969|km|sp=us}} long according to the new findings, while previous documents showed its length varied from 2880 to 3364 km.<ref name=xinhua>{{cite news | url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/china/2011-08/22/c_131067137.htm | title=Scientists pinpoint sources of four major international rivers | publisher=[[Xinhua News Agency]] | date=22 August 2011 | access-date=8 September 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160503062829/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/china/2011-08/22/c_131067137.htm | archive-date=3 May 2016 | url-status=dead}}</ref>}}
 | width_min            = 
 | width_avg            = 
 | width_max            = 
 | depth_min            = 
 | depth_avg            = 
 | depth_max            = 
 | discharge1_location  = Confluence of the [[Ganges River|Ganges]]
 | discharge1_min       =
 | discharge1_avg       =(Period: 1971–2000){{cvt|21,319.2|m3/s|cuft/s|abbr=on}}<ref name="Ganga (Ganges)-Brahmaputra">{{cite web|url=https://www.riversnetwork.org/V1/index.php/component/content/?view=article&id=57&catid=219&Itemid=179|title=Ganga (Ganges)-Brahmaputra}}</ref><ref name="books.google.hu">{{cite book |last=Webersik |first=Christian |year=2010 |title=Climate Change and Security: A Gathering Storm of Global Challenges |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-nufdUc0Ps0C&pg=PA45 |publisher=[[ABC-CLIO]] |page=45 |isbn=978-0-313-38007-5 |access-date=12 October 2021 |archive-date=13 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220613202351/https://books.google.com/books?id=-nufdUc0Ps0C&pg=PA45 |url-status=live }}</ref>
Brahmaputra (Jamuna)–[[Old Brahmaputra River|Old Brahmaputra]]–[[Meghna River|Upper Meghna]] → {{cvt|26,941.1|m3/s|cuft/s|abbr=on}}<ref name="Ganga (Ganges)-Brahmaputra">{{cite web|url=https://www.riversnetwork.org/V1/index.php/component/content/?view=article&id=57&catid=219&Itemid=179|title=Ganga (Ganges)-Brahmaputra}}</ref>
 | discharge1_max       =
<!---------------------- BASIN FEATURES -->
 | source1              = Chemayungdung glacier, [[Manasarovar]]
 | source1_location     = [[Himalayas]]
 | source1_coordinates  = {{coord|30|19|N|82|08|E|display=inline}}
 | source1_elevation    = {{cvt|5,210|m|abbr=on}}
 | mouth                = [[Ganges]]
 | mouth_location       = [[Ganges Delta]]
 | mouth_coordinates    = {{coord|23|47|46.7376|N|89|45|45.774|E}}
 | mouth_elevation      = {{cvt|0|m|abbr=on}}
 | progression          = [[Padma River|Padma]] → [[Meghna River|Meghna]] → [[Bay of Bengal]]
 | river_system         = '''[[Ganges River]]'''
 | basin_size           = {{cvt|625,726.9|km2|mi2|abbr=on}}<ref name="Ganga (Ganges)-Brahmaputra">{{cite web|url=https://www.riversnetwork.org/V1/index.php/component/content/?view=article&id=57&catid=219&Itemid=179|title=Ganga (Ganges)-Brahmaputra}}</ref>
 | tributaries_left     = [[Lhasa River|Lhasa]], [[Nyang River|Nyang]], [[Parlung Zangbo]], [[Lohit River|Lohit]], Nao Dihing, Buri Dihing, Dangori, Disang, [[Dikhow River|Dikhow]], [[Jhanji]], [[Dhansiri]], [[Kolong River|Kolong]], [[Kopili River|Kopili]], Bhorolu, [[Kulsi River|Kulsi]], [[Krishnai River|Krishnai]], [[Meghna River|Upper Meghna]]
 | tributaries_right    = [[Kameng River|Kameng]], Jia Bhoroli, [[Manas River|Manas]], Beki, [[Raidak River|Raidak]], [[Jaldhaka River|Jaldhaka]], [[Teesta River|Teesta]], [[Subansiri River|Subansiri]], Jia dhol, [[Simen]], Pagladia, Sonkosh, Gadadhar
 | custom_label         = 
 | custom_data          = 
 | discharge2_location  =[[Bahadurabad Ghat railway station|Bahadurabad]]
 | discharge2_min={{cvt|3,280|m3/s|cuft/s|abbr=on}}<ref name="Flood Inundation Mapping of the Sparsely Gauged Large-Scale Brahmaputra Basin Using Remote Sensing Products">{{cite journal|journal=Remote Sensing|doi=10.3390/rs11050501|last1=Biswa|first1=Bhattacharya|last2=Maurizio|first2=Mazzoleni|last3=Reyne|first3=Ugay|title=Flood Inundation Mapping of the Sparsely Gauged Large-Scale Brahmaputra Basin Using Remote Sensing Products|date=2019|volume=11|issue=5|page=501 |doi-access=free |bibcode=2019RemS...11..501B }}</ref>
 | discharge2_avg       =(Period: 1980–2012){{cvt|24,027|m3/s|cuft/s|abbr=on}}<ref name="Climate impact emergence and flood peak synchronization projections in the Ganges, Brahmaputra and Meghna basins under CMIP5 and CMIP6 scenarios">{{cite journal|journal=Environmental Research Letters|doi=10.1088/1748-9326/ac8ca1|last1=Anne|first1=Gädeke|last2=Michel|first2=Wortmann|last3=Christoph|first3=Menz|last4=Saiful|first4=Islam|last5=Muhammad|first5=Masood|last6=Valentina|first6=Krysanova|last7=Stefan|first7=Lange|last8=Fred|first8=Fokko Hattermann|title=Climate impact emergence and flood peak synchronization projections in the Ganges, Brahmaputra and Meghna basins under CMIP5 and CMIP6 scenarios|date=2022|volume=17|number=9|bibcode=2022ERL....17i4036G |doi-access=free}}</ref>
(Period: 2000–2015){{cvt|21,993|m3/s|cuft/s|abbr=on}}<ref name="Flood Inundation Mapping of the Sparsely Gauged Large-Scale Brahmaputra Basin Using Remote Sensing Products">{{cite journal|journal=Remote Sensing|doi=10.3390/rs11050501|last1=Biswa|first1=Bhattacharya|last2=Maurizio|first2=Mazzoleni|last3=Reyne|first3=Ugay|title=Flood Inundation Mapping of the Sparsely Gauged Large-Scale Brahmaputra Basin Using Remote Sensing Products|date=2019|volume=11|issue=5|page=501 |doi-access=free |bibcode=2019RemS...11..501B }}</ref>
 | discharge2_max={{cvt|102,585|m3/s|cuft/s|abbr=on}}<ref name="Flood Inundation Mapping of the Sparsely Gauged Large-Scale Brahmaputra Basin Using Remote Sensing Products">{{cite journal|journal=Remote Sensing|doi=10.3390/rs11050501|last1=Biswa|first1=Bhattacharya|last2=Maurizio|first2=Mazzoleni|last3=Reyne|first3=Ugay|title=Flood Inundation Mapping of the Sparsely Gauged Large-Scale Brahmaputra Basin Using Remote Sensing Products|date=2019|volume=11|issue=5|page=501 |doi-access=free |bibcode=2019RemS...11..501B }}</ref>
 | discharge3_location=[[Guwahati]]
 | discharge3_avg=(Period: 1971–2000){{cvt|18,850.4|m3/s|cuft/s|abbr=on}}<ref name="Ganga (Ganges)-Brahmaputra">{{cite web|url=https://www.riversnetwork.org/V1/index.php/component/content/?view=article&id=57&catid=219&Itemid=179|title=Ganga (Ganges)-Brahmaputra}}</ref>
 | discharge4_location=[[Dibrugarh]]
 | discharge4_avg=(Period: 1971–2000){{cvt|8,722.3|m3/s|cuft/s|abbr=on}}<ref name="Ganga (Ganges)-Brahmaputra">{{cite web|url=https://www.riversnetwork.org/V1/index.php/component/content/?view=article&id=57&catid=219&Itemid=179|title=Ganga (Ganges)-Brahmaputra}}</ref>
 | discharge5_location=[[Pasighat]]
 | discharge5_avg=(Period: 1971–2000){{cvt|5,016.3|m3/s|cuft/s|abbr=on}}<ref name="Ganga (Ganges)-Brahmaputra">{{cite web|url=https://www.riversnetwork.org/V1/index.php/component/content/?view=article&id=57&catid=219&Itemid=179|title=Ganga (Ganges)-Brahmaputra}}</ref>
 | extra                = 
}}

The '''Brahmaputra''' is a [[trans-boundary river]] which flows through [[Southwestern China]], [[Northeastern India]], and [[Bangladesh]]. It is known as the Brahmaputra or Luit in [[Assamese language|Assamese]], [[Yarlung Tsangpo]] in [[Lhasa Tibetan|Tibetan]], the Siang/Dihang River in [[Arunachal languages|Arunachali]], and [[Jamuna River (Bangladesh)|Jamuna River]] in [[East Bengal]]. By itself, it is the 9th [[List of rivers by discharge|largest river]] in the world by discharge, and the 15th [[List of rivers by length|longest]].

It originates in the [[Manasarovar Lake]] region, near [[Mount Kailash]], on the northern side of the [[Himalayas]] in [[Burang County]] of [[Tibet Autonomous Region|Tibet]] where it is known as the [[Yarlung Tsangpo River]].<ref name="xinhua" /> The Brahmaputra flows along southern Tibet to break through the Himalayas in great gorges (including the [[Yarlung Tsangpo Grand Canyon]]) and into Arunachal Pradesh.<ref name="britannica">{{cite web |url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Brahmaputra-River |title=Brahmaputra River |website=[[Encyclopædia Britannica]] |access-date=13 November 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170130005707/https://www.britannica.com/place/Brahmaputra-River |archive-date=30 January 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref> It enters India near the village of [[Gelling, Arunachal Pradesh|Gelling]] in [[Arunachal Pradesh]] and flows southwest through the [[Assam]] Valley as the Brahmaputra and south through [[Bangladesh]] as the [[Jamuna River (Bangladesh)|Jamuna]] (not to be confused with the [[Yamuna River|Yamuna]] of India). In the vast [[Ganges Delta]], it merges with the [[Ganges]], popularly known as the [[Padma River|Padma]] in Bangladesh, and becomes the [[Meghna River|Meghna]] and ultimately empties into the [[Bay of Bengal]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Brahmaputra River Flowing Down From Himalayas Towards Bay of Bengal|url=http://www.eosnap.com/tag/brahmaputra-river/|access-date=22 November 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111106133618/http://www.eosnap.com/tag/brahmaputra-river/|archive-date=6 November 2011|url-status=live}}</ref>

At {{cvt|3,000|km|mi|abbr=on}} long, the Brahmaputra is an important river for [[irrigation]] and transportation in the region.<ref name="Flood Inundation Mapping of the Sparsely Gauged Large-Scale Brahmaputra Basin Using Remote Sensing Products">{{cite journal|journal=Remote Sensing|doi=10.3390/rs11050501|last1=Biswa|first1=Bhattacharya|last2=Maurizio|first2=Mazzoleni|last3=Reyne|first3=Ugay|title=Flood Inundation Mapping of the Sparsely Gauged Large-Scale Brahmaputra Basin Using Remote Sensing Products|date=2019|volume=11|issue=5|page=501 |doi-access=free |bibcode=2019RemS...11..501B }}</ref><ref name="xinhua" /> The average depth of the river is {{convert|30|m|ft|abbr=on|-1}} and its maximum depth is {{convert|135|m|ft|abbr=on|-1}} (at [[Sadiya]]).<ref name=BBWR>{{cite book
 |last1= Singh
 |first1= Vijay
 |last2= Sharma
 |first2= Nayan
 |last3= Ojha
 |first3= C. Shekhar P.
 |date= 29 February 2004
|title= The Brahmaputra Basin Water Resources
 |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=HUXrVyUk0RAC
 |location= Dordrecht
 |publisher= Springer
 |page= 120
 |isbn= 9789048164813
 |access-date= 15 November 2015
|archive-date= 20 August 2021
|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210820081154/https://books.google.com/books?id=HUXrVyUk0RAC
 |url-status= live
 }}</ref> The river is prone to catastrophic flooding in the spring when the Himalayan snow melts. The average discharge of the Brahmaputra is about ~{{cvt|22,000|m3/s|cuft/s|abbr=on}},<ref name="Flood Inundation Mapping of the Sparsely Gauged Large-Scale Brahmaputra Basin Using Remote Sensing Products">{{cite journal|journal=Remote Sensing|doi=10.3390/rs11050501|last1=Biswa|first1=Bhattacharya|last2=Maurizio|first2=Mazzoleni|last3=Reyne|first3=Ugay|title=Flood Inundation Mapping of the Sparsely Gauged Large-Scale Brahmaputra Basin Using Remote Sensing Products|date=2019|volume=11|issue=5|page=501 |doi-access=free |bibcode=2019RemS...11..501B }}</ref><ref name="britannica"/> and floods reach about {{cvt|103,000|m3/s|cuft/s|abbr=on}}.<ref name="Flood Inundation Mapping of the Sparsely Gauged Large-Scale Brahmaputra Basin Using Remote Sensing Products">{{cite journal|journal=Remote Sensing|doi=10.3390/rs11050501|last1=Biswa|first1=Bhattacharya|last2=Maurizio|first2=Mazzoleni|last3=Reyne|first3=Ugay|title=Flood Inundation Mapping of the Sparsely Gauged Large-Scale Brahmaputra Basin Using Remote Sensing Products|date=2019|volume=11|issue=5|page=501 |doi-access=free |bibcode=2019RemS...11..501B }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fao.org/nr/water/aquastat/countries/bangladesh/index.stm |title=Water Resources of Bangladesh |website=FAO |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090806192531/http://www.fao.org/nr/water/aquastat/countries/bangladesh/index.stm |archive-date=6 August 2009 |access-date=18 November 2010}}</ref> It is a classic example of a [[braided river]] and is highly susceptible to [[River channel migration|channel migration]] and [[Avulsion (river)|avulsion]].<ref name="Catling1992">{{cite book |last=Catling |first=David |date=1992 |title=Rice in deep water |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=N5JxwKx1RAgC&pg=PA177 |publisher=[[International Rice Research Institute]] |page=177 |isbn=978-971-22-0005-2 |access-date=15 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160514103756/https://books.google.com/books?id=N5JxwKx1RAgC&pg=PA177 |archive-date=14 May 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref> It is also one of the few rivers in the world that exhibits a [[tidal bore]]. It is navigable for most of its length.

The Brahmaputra drains the Himalayas east of the Indo-Nepal border, south-central portion of the Tibetan plateau above the [[Ganga]] basin, south-eastern portion of Tibet, the Patkai hills, the northern slopes of the [[Meghalaya]] hills, the Assam plains, and northern Bangladesh. The basin, especially south of Tibet, is characterized by high levels of rainfall. [[Kangchenjunga]] (8,586 m) is the highest point within the Brahmaputra basin and the only peak above 8,000 m.

The Brahmaputra's upper course was long unknown, and its identity with the Yarlung Tsangpo was only established by exploration in 1884–1886. The river is often called the Tsangpo-Brahmaputra river.{{Citation needed|date=July 2020}}

The lower reaches are sacred to [[Hinduism|Hindus]]. While most rivers on the Indian subcontinent have female names, this river has a rare male name. Brahmaputra means "son of [[Brahma]]" in [[Sanskrit]].<ref>{{cite book |last=Gopal |first=Madan |date=1990 |editor=K.S. Gautam |title=India through the ages|url=https://archive.org/details/indiathroughages00mada |publisher=Publication Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India |page=[https://archive.org/details/indiathroughages00mada/page/80 80]}}</ref>

{{TOC limit|4}}

==Names==
It is known by various names in different regional languages: {{lang|as-Latn|Brôhmôputrô}} in [[Assamese language|Assamese]]; {{bo|t=ཡར་ཀླུངས་གཙང་པོ་|w=yar klung gtsang po|c=Yarlung Tsangpo}} [[Yarlung Tsangpo]]; {{lang-zh|s=雅鲁藏布江|t=雅魯藏布江|p=Yǎlǔzàngbù Jiāng}}. It is also called Tsangpo-Brahmaputra and red river of India (when referring to the whole river including the stretch within the [[Tibet Autonomous Region]]).<ref name="NYTimes2015-03-30"/> In its Tibetan and Indian names, the river is unusually masculine in gender.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Simpson |first=Thomas |date=2023-10-25 |title=Find the river: Discovering the Tsangpo-Brahmaputra in the age of empire |url=https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S0026749X23000288/type/journal_article |journal=Modern Asian Studies |volume=58 |language=en |pages=127–162 |doi=10.1017/S0026749X23000288 |issn=0026-749X|doi-access=free }}</ref>

==Geography==
===Course===
====Tibet====
{{main|Yarlung Tsangpo}}

[[File:Yarlong Tsangpo.jpg|thumb|left|[[Yarlung Tsangpo River]] in Tibet]]

The upper reaches of the Brahmaputra River, known as the [[Yarlung Tsangpo]] from the Tibetan language, originates on the [[Angsi Glacier]], near Mount Kailash, located on the northern side of the [[Himalayas]] in [[Burang County]] of [[Tibet Autonomous Region|Tibet]]. The source of the river was earlier thought to be on the Chemayungdung glacier, which covers the slopes of the Himalayas about {{cvt|60|mi|km|abbr=on}} southeast of [[Lake Manasarovar]] in southwestern Tibet.

From its source, the river runs for nearly {{cvt|1,100|km|mi|abbr=on}} in a generally easterly direction between the main range of the Himalayas to the south and the [[Kailas Range]] to the north.
[[File:Brahmaputra from ganden3.jpg|thumb|[[Yarlung Tsangpo]]]]
In Tibet, the Tsangpo receives a number of tributaries. The most important left-bank tributaries are the Raka Zangbo (Raka Tsangpo), which joins the river west of [[Xigazê]] (Shigatse), and the [[Lhasa River|Lhasa]] (Kyi), which flows past the Tibetan capital of [[Lhasa]] and joins the Tsangpo at [[Qüxü]]. The [[Nyang River]] joins the Tsangpo from the north at Zela (Tsela Dzong). On the right bank, a second river called the Nyang Qu (Nyang Chu) meets the Tsangpo at Xigazê.

After passing Pi (Pe) in Tibet, the river turns suddenly to the north and northeast and cuts a course through a succession of great narrow gorges between the mountainous massifs of [[Gyala Peri]] and [[Namcha Barwa]] in a series of rapids and cascades. Thereafter, the river turns south and southwest and flows through a deep gorge (the "[[Yarlung Tsangpo Grand Canyon]]") across the eastern extremity of the Himalayas with canyon walls that extend upward for {{cvt|5000|m|abbr=on}} and more on each side. During that stretch, the river crosses the China-India line of actual control to enter northern Arunachal Pradesh, where it is known as the Dihang (or Siang) River, and turns more southerly.

====Arunachal Pradesh====
{{unreferenced section|date=June 2023}}
[[File:Brahmaputra-river-basin.png|thumb|Brahmaputra basin in [[India]]]]

[[File:Sunset in Dibrugarh.jpg|right|160px|thumb|A view of sunset in the Brahmaputra from Dibrugarh]]
The Yarlung Tsangpo leaves the part of Tibet to enter Indian state of [[Arunachal Pradesh]], where the river is called Siang. It makes a very rapid descent from its original height in Tibet and finally appears in the plains, where it is called Dihang. It flows for about {{cvt|35|km|mi|abbr=on}} southward after which, it is joined by the [[Dibang River]] and the [[Lohit River]] at the head of the Assam Valley. Below the Lohit, the river is called Brahmaputra and Doima (mother of water) and Burlung-Buthur by native [[Bodo people|Bodo]] tribals, it then enters the state of [[Assam]], and becomes very wide—as wide as {{cvt|20|km|mi|abbr=on}} in parts of Assam.

The reason for such an unusual course and drastic change is that the river [[Antecedent drainage stream|is antecedent]] to the Himalayas, meaning that it had existed before them and has [[Entrenched river|entrenched itself]] since they started rising.

====Assam====
[[File:Bank of Brahmaputra river-Guwahati 2.jpg|alt=Bank of Brahmaputra River in Guwahati.|thumb|Bank of Brahmaputra River in Guwahati]]
The Dihang, winding out of the mountains, turns towards the southeast and descends into a low-lying basin as it enters northeastern Assam state. Just west of the town of Sadiya, the river again turns to the southwest and is joined by two mountain streams, the Lohit, and the Dibang. Below that confluence, about {{cvt|1,450|km|mi|abbr=on}} from the Bay of Bengal, the river becomes known conventionally as the Brahmaputra ("Son of Brahma"). In Assam, the river is mighty, even in the dry season, and during the rains, its banks are more than {{cvt|8|km|mi|abbr=on}} apart. As the river follows its braided {{cvt|700|km|mi|abbr=on}} course through the valley, it receives several rapidly flowing Himalayan streams, including the Subansiri, Kameng, Bhareli, Dhansiri, Manas, Champamati, Saralbhanga, and Sankosh Rivers. The main tributaries from the hills and from the plateau to the south are the Burhi Dihing, the Disang, the Dikhu, and the Kopili.

Between [[Dibrugarh district|Dibrugarh]] and [[Lakhimpur District]]s, the river divides into two channels—the northern Kherkutia channel and the southern Brahmaputra channel. The two channels join again about {{cvt|100|km|mi|abbr=on}} downstream, forming the [[Majuli]] island, which is the largest river island in the world.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Majuli|first1=River Island|title=Largest river island|url=http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/largest-river-island-|website=Guinness World Records|access-date=6 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160903033856/http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/largest-river-island-|archive-date=3 September 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> At [[Guwahati]], near the ancient pilgrimage centre of [[Hajo (India)|Hajo]], the Brahmaputra cuts through the rocks of the [[Shillong Plateau]], and is at its narrowest at {{convert|1|km|yd|abbr=on}} bank-to-bank. The terrain of this area made it logistically ideal for the [[Battle of Saraighat]], the military confrontation between the Mughal Empire and the Ahom Kingdom in March 1671. The first combined railroad/roadway bridge across the Brahmaputra was constructed at [[Saraighat]]. It was opened to traffic in April 1962.

The environment of the Brahmaputra [[floodplain]]s in Assam have been described as the [[Brahmaputra Valley semi-evergreen forests]] [[ecoregion]].

====Bangladesh====
[[File:Bangladesh LOC 1996 map.jpg|left|upright=1.3|thumb|Rivers of Bangladesh, including the Brahmaputra]]
In Bangladesh, the Brahmaputra is joined by the [[Teesta River]] (or Tista), one of its largest tributaries. Below the Tista, the Brahmaputra splits into two [[distributary]] branches. The western branch, which contains the majority of the river's flow, continues due south as the Jamuna ({{lang|bn-Latn|Jomuna}}) to merge with the lower Ganga, called the [[Padma River]] ({{lang|bn-Latn|Pôdma}}). The eastern branch, formerly the larger, but now much smaller, is called the lower or [[Old Brahmaputra]] ({{lang|bn-Latn|Brommoputro}}). It curves southeast to join the [[Meghna River]] near [[Dhaka]]. The Padma and Meghna converge near [[Chandpur District|Chandpur]] and flow out into the Bay of Bengal. This final part of the river is called Meghna.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Brahmaputra River – Map Tributaries Flow Bridges Tunnel |url=https://www.riversofindia.com/2022/03/brahmaputra-river-map-tributaries-flow.html |access-date=29 May 2022 |website=Rivers Of India – All About Rivers |language=en |archive-date=18 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220518171658/https://www.riversofindia.com/2022/03/brahmaputra-river-map-tributaries-flow.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

The Brahmaputra enters the plains of Bangladesh after turning south around the Garo Hills below Dhuburi, India. After flowing past Chilmari, Bangladesh, it is joined on its right bank by the Tista River and then follows a {{cvt|240|km|mi|abbr=on}} course due south as the Jamuna River. (South of Gaibanda, the Old Brahmaputra leaves the left bank of the mainstream and flows past Jamalpur and Mymensingh to join the Meghna River at Bhairab Bazar.) Before its confluence with the Ganga, the Jamuna receives the combined waters of the [[Baral River|Baral]], [[Atrai River|Atrai]], and [[Hurasagar River|Hurasagar]] Rivers on its right bank and becomes the point of departure of the large [[Dhaleswari River]] on its left bank. A tributary of the Dhaleswari, the Buriganga ("Old Ganga"), flows past Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, and joins the Meghna River above Munshiganj.<ref name=":0" />

The Jamuna joins with the Ganga north of Goalundo Ghat, below which, as the Padma, their combined waters flow to the southeast for a distance of about {{cvt|120|km|mi|abbr=on}}. After several smaller channels branch off to feed the Ganga-Brahmaputra delta to the south, the main body of the Padma reaches its confluence with the Meghna River near Chandpur and then enters the Bay of Bengal through the Meghna estuary and lesser channels flowing through the delta. The growth of the Ganga-Brahmaputra Delta is dominated by tidal processes.<ref name=":0" />

The [[Ganga Delta]], fed by the waters of numerous rivers, including the Ganga and Brahmaputra, is {{cvt|105,000|km2|mi2|abbr=on}}, one of the largest [[river delta]]s in the world.<ref name="SinghSharma2004">{{cite book|last1=Singh|first1=Vijay P.|last2=Sharma|first2=Nayan|author3=C. Shekhar|author4=P. Ojha|title=The Brahmaputra Basin Water Resources|url=https://archive.org/details/springer_10.1007-978-94-017-0540-0|year=2004|publisher=Springer|isbn=978-1-4020-1737-7|page=[https://archive.org/details/springer_10.1007-978-94-017-0540-0/page/n125 113]|access-date=15 November 2015}}</ref>

[[File:Bangladesh tmo 2011313.jpg|thumb|upright=1.6|The Brahmaputra River from outer space]]

===Hydrology===
The [[Ganges]]–Brahmaputra–[[Meghna River|Meghna]] system has the second-greatest average discharge of the world's rivers—roughly ~{{cvt|44,000|m3/s|cuft/s|abbr=on}}, and the river Brahmaputra alone supplies about 50% of the total discharge.<ref name="Hydrological Cycle Volume III">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=UAmCCwAAQBAJ|title=Hydrological Cycle Volume III|last1=Igor Alekseevich|first1=Shiklomanov|isbn=978-1-84826-026-9|year=2009|publisher=EOLSS Publications }}</ref><ref name="Flood Inundation Mapping of the Sparsely Gauged Large-Scale Brahmaputra Basin Using Remote Sensing Products">{{cite journal|journal=Remote Sensing|doi=10.3390/rs11050501|last1=Biswa|first1=Bhattacharya|last2=Maurizio|first2=Mazzoleni|last3=Reyne|first3=Ugay|title=Flood Inundation Mapping of the Sparsely Gauged Large-Scale Brahmaputra Basin Using Remote Sensing Products|date=2019|volume=11|issue=5|page=501 |doi-access=free |bibcode=2019RemS...11..501B }}</ref> The rivers' combined suspended sediment load of about 1.87 billion tonnes (1.84 billion tons) per year is the world's highest.<ref name="britannica"/><ref name="combinedsedimentload">{{cite book |date=2010 |title=The Geography of India: Sacred and Historic Places |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=GdKcAAAAQBAJ&pg=PA85 |publisher=Britannica Educational Publishing |pages=85– |isbn=978-1-61530-202-4 |access-date=13 November 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180806053055/https://books.google.com/books?id=GdKcAAAAQBAJ&pg=PA85 |archive-date=6 August 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In the past, the lower course of the Brahmaputra was different and passed through the [[Jamalpur District|Jamalpur]] and [[Mymensingh District|Mymensingh]] districts. In an 8.8 magnitude [[1762 Arakan earthquake|earthquake on 2 April 1762]], however, the main channel of the Brahmaputra at Bhahadurabad point was switched southwards and opened as [[Jamuna River (Bangladesh)|Jamuna]] due to the result of tectonic uplift of the [[Madhupur tract]].<ref name="books.google.com">{{cite book |last=Suess |first=Eduard |date=1904 |title=The face of the earth: (Das antlitz der erde) |url=https://archive.org/details/faceearthdasant00sollgoog |publisher=Clarendon press |pages=[https://archive.org/details/faceearthdasant00sollgoog/page/n69 50]– |access-date=15 November 2015 }}</ref>

==== Climate ====
Rising temperatures significantly contribute to snow melting in the upper Brahmaputra catchment.<ref name="link.springer.com">{{cite journal |doi=10.1186/s40068-015-0043-0 |volume=4 |title=Change in snow cover area of Brahmaputra river basin and its sensitivity to temperature |journal=Environmental Systems Research |year=2015 |last1=Barman |first1=Swapnali |last2=Bhattacharjya |first2=R. K. |doi-access=free}}</ref> The discharge of the Brahmaputra River is significantly influenced by the melting of snow in the upper part of its catchment area. This increase in river flow, caused by the substantial retreat of snow, leads to a higher downstream discharge. Such a rise in discharge often results in severe catastrophic issues, including flooding and erosion.

====Discharge====
{{unreferenced section|date=June 2023}}
[[File:Naokhel At sualkuchi.jpg|thumb|Rowing competition of [[Sualkuchi]] at Brahmaputra River]]
The Brahmaputra River is characterized by its significant rates of sediment discharge, the large and variable flows, along with its rapid channel aggradations and accelerated rates of basin denudation. Over time, the deepening of the Bengal Basin caused by erosion will result in the increase in hydraulic radius, and hence allowing for the huge accumulation of sediments fed from the Himalayan erosion by efficient sediment transportation. The thickness of the sediment accumulated above the Precambrian basement has increased over the years from a few hundred meters to over {{cvt|18|km|abbr=on}} in the Bengal fore-deep to the south. The ongoing subsidence of the Bengal Basin and the high rate of Himalayan uplift continues to contribute to the large water and sediment discharges of fine sand and silt, with 1% clay, in the Brahmaputra River.

Climatic change plays a crucial role in affecting the basin hydrology. Throughout the year, there is a significant rise in hydrograph, with a broad peak between July and September. The Brahmaputra River experiences two high-water seasons, one in early summer caused by snowmelt in the mountains, and one in late summer caused by runoff from monsoon rains. The river flow is strongly influenced by snow and ice melting of the glaciers, which are located mainly on the eastern Himalaya regions in the upstream parts of the basin. The snow and glacier melt contribution to the total annual runoff is about 27%, while the annual rainfall contributes to about {{cvt|1.9|m|abbr=on}} and {{cvt|22,000|m3/s|cuft/s|abbr=on}} of discharge.<ref name="Flood Inundation Mapping of the Sparsely Gauged Large-Scale Brahmaputra Basin Using Remote Sensing Products">{{cite journal|journal=Remote Sensing|doi=10.3390/rs11050501|last1=Biswa|first1=Bhattacharya|last2=Maurizio|first2=Mazzoleni|last3=Reyne|first3=Ugay|title=Flood Inundation Mapping of the Sparsely Gauged Large-Scale Brahmaputra Basin Using Remote Sensing Products|date=2019|volume=11|issue=5|page=501 |doi-access=free |bibcode=2019RemS...11..501B }}</ref> The highest recorded daily discharge in the Brahmaputra at Pandu was {{cvt|72,726|m3/s|cuft/s|abbr=on}} August 1962 while the lowest was {{cvt|1,757|m3/s|cuft/s|abbr=on}} in February 1968. The increased rates of snow and glacial melt are likely to increase summer flows in some river systems for a few decades, followed by a reduction in flow as the glaciers disappear and snowfall diminishes. This is particularly true for the dry season when water availability is crucial for the irrigation systems.

====Floodplain evolution====
{{unreferenced section|date=June 2023}}
The course of the Brahmaputra River has changed drastically in the past two and a half centuries, moving its river course westwards for a distance of about {{convert|80|km|abbr=on}}, leaving its old river course, appropriately named the old Brahmaputra river, behind. In the past, the floodplain of the old river course had soils which were more properly formed compared to graded sediments on the operating Jamuna river. This change of river course resulted in modifications to the soil-forming process, which include acidification, the breakdown of clays and buildup of organic matter, with the soils showing an increasing amount of biotic homogenization, mottling, the coating around Peds and maturing soil arrangement, shape and pattern. In the future, the consequences of local ground subsidence coupled with flood prevention propositions, for instance, localised breakwaters, that increase flood-plain water depths outside the water breakers, may alter the water levels of the floodplains. Throughout the years, bars, scroll bars, and sand dunes are formed at the edge of the flood plain by deposition. The height difference of the channel topography is often not more than {{Convert|1-2|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}. Furthermore, flooding over the history of the river has caused the formation of river levees due to deposition from the overbank flow. The height difference between the levee top and the surrounding floodplains is typically {{Convert|1|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} along small channels and {{Convert|2-3|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} along major channels. Crevasse splay, a sedimentary fluvial deposit which forms when a stream breaks its natural or artificial levees and deposits sediment on a floodplain, are often formed due to a breach in the levee, forming a lobe of sediments which progrades onto the adjacent floodplain. Lastly, flood basins are often formed between the levees of adjacent rivers.

====Flooding====
[[File:Brahmaputra Plains in Goalpara District of Assam 857.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Flooded villages along the Brahmaputra]]
During the monsoon season (June–October), floods are a very common occurrence. Deforestation in the Brahmaputra watershed has resulted in increased siltation levels, flash floods, and soil erosion in critical downstream habitat, such as the [[Kaziranga National Park]] in middle Assam. Occasionally, massive flooding causes huge losses to crops, life, and property. Periodic flooding is a natural phenomenon which is ecologically important because it helps maintain the lowland grasslands and associated wildlife. Periodic floods also deposit fresh alluvium, replenishing the fertile soil of the Brahmaputra River Valley. Thus flooding, agriculture, and agricultural practices are closely connected.<ref>Das, D.C. 2000. Agricultural Landuse and Productivity Pattern in Lower Brahmaputra valley (1970–71 and 1994–95). PhD Thesis, Department of Geography, North Eastern Hill University, Shillong.</ref><ref>Mipun, B.S. 1989. Impact of Migrants and Agricultural Changes in the Lower Brahmaputra Valley : A Case Study of Darrang District. Unpublished PhD Thesis, Department of Geography, North Eastern Hill University, Shillong.</ref><ref>{{cite journal | last1 = Shrivastava | first1 = R.J. | last2 = Heinen | first2 = J.T. | year = 2005 | title = Migration and Home Gardens in the Brahmaputra Valley, Assam, India | url = http://scholarcommons.usf.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1055&context=jea | journal = Journal of Ecological Anthropology | volume = 9 | pages = 20–34 | doi = 10.5038/2162-4593.9.1.2 | doi-access = free | access-date = 5 September 2019 | archive-date = 20 April 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210420133934/https://scholarcommons.usf.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1055&context=jea | url-status = live }}</ref>

The effects of flooding can be devastating and cause significant damage to crops and houses, serious bank erosive with consequent loss of homesteads, school and land, and loss of many lives, livestock, and fisheries. During the 1998 flood, over 70% of the land area of Bangladesh was inundated, affecting 31 million people and 1 million homesteads. In the 1998 flood which had an unusually long duration from July to September, claimed 918 human lives and was responsible for damaging {{Convert|1600|km|abbr=on}} of roads and {{Convert|6000|km|abbr=on}} embankments, and affecting {{Convert|6000|km2|abbr=on}} of standing crops. The 2004 floods, over 25% of the population of Bangladesh or 36 million people, were affected by the floods; 800 people died; 952 000 houses were destroyed and 1.4 million were badly damaged; 24 000 educational institutions were affected including the destruction of 1200 primary schools, 2 million governments and private tube wells were affected, over 3 million latrines were damaged or washed away, this increases the risks of waterborne diseases including diarrhea and cholera. Also, {{Convert|1.1|e6ha|e6acre|abbr=unit}} of the rice crop was submerged and lost before it could be harvested, with 7% of the yearly ''aus'' (early season) rice crop lost; {{cvt|270,000|ha|abbr=on}} of grazing land was affected, 5600 livestock perished together with 254 00 poultry and {{Convert|63|e6t|e6ST|abbr=off}} of lost fish production.

Flood-control measures are taken by the water resource department and the Brahmaputra Board, but until now the flood problem remains unsolved. At least a third of the land of [[Majuli|Majuli Island]] has been eroded by the river. Recently, it is suggested that a highway protected by concrete mat along the river bank and excavation of the river bed can curb this menace. This project, named the Brahmaputra River Restoration Project, is yet to be implemented by the government. Recently the Central Government approved the construction of Brahmaputra Express Highways.

===Channel morphology===
The course of the Brahmaputra River has changed dramatically over the past 250 years, with evidence of large-scale avulsion, in the period 1776–1850, of {{Convert|80|km|abbr=on}} from east of the Madhupur tract to the west of it. Prior to 1843, the Brahmaputra flowed within the channel now termed the [[Old Brahmaputra River|"Old Brahmaputra"]]. The banks of the river are mostly weakly cohesive sand and silts, which usually erodes through large scale slab failure, where previously deposited materials undergo scour and bank erosion during flood periods. Presently, the river's erosion rate has decreased to {{cvt|30|m|abbr=on}} per year as compared to {{cvt|150|m|abbr=on}} per year from 1973 to 1992. This erosion has, however, destroyed so much land that it has caused 0.7 million people to become homeless due to loss of land.

Several studies have discussed the reasons for the avulsion of the river into its present course, and have suggested a number of reasons including tectonic activity, switches in the upstream course of the Teesta River, the influence of increased discharge, catastrophic floods and river capture into an old river course. From an analysis of maps of the river between 1776 and 1843, it was concluded in a study that the river avulsion was more likely gradual than catastrophic and sudden, and may have been generated by bank erosion, perhaps around a large mid-channel bar, causing a diversion of the channel into the existing floodplain channel.

The Brahmaputra channel is governed by the peak and low flow periods during which its bed undergoes tremendous modification. The Brahmaputra's bank line migration is inconsistent with time. The Brahmaputra river bed has widened significantly since 1916 and appears to be shifting more towards the south than towards the north. Together with the contemporary slow migration of the river, the left bank is being eroded away faster than the right bank.<ref name="researchgate.net">{{Cite journal | url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/268404868 | title=Channel and Bed Morphology of a Part of the Brahmaputra River in Assam| journal=Journal of the Geological Society of India| volume=62| date=August 2003| last1=Gilfellon| first1=George| last2=Sarma| first2=Jogendra| last3=Gohain| first3=K.}}</ref>

==== River engineering ====
The Brahmaputra River experiences high levels of [[bank erosion]] (usually via slab failure) and [[River channel migration|channel migration]] caused by its strong current, lack of riverbank vegetation, and loose sand and silt which compose its banks. It is thus difficult to build permanent structures on the river, and protective structures designed to limit the river's erosional effects often face numerous issues during and after construction. In fact, a 2004 report<ref>{{Cite report
| date = 2004
| url = http://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/0601496727BB568AC1256F230033FBC5-lcg-bang-6oct.pdf
| title = Monsoon Floods 2004: Post Flood Needs Assessment Summary Report
| journal = Bangladesh Disaster and Emergency Sub-Group 
| location = Dhaka, Bangladesh
| page = 23
| access-date = 25 February 2016
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160321070102/http://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/0601496727BB568AC1256F230033FBC5-lcg-bang-6oct.pdf
| archive-date = 21 March 2016
| url-status = live
}}</ref> by the Bangladesh Disaster and Emergency Sub-Group (BDER) has stated that several of such protective systems have 'just failed'. However, some progress has been made in the form of construction works which stabilize sections of the river, albeit with the need for heavy maintenance. The [[Bangabandhu Bridge]], the only bridge to span the river's major distributary, the [[Jamuna River (Bangladesh)|Jamuna]], was thus opened in June 1998. Constructed at a narrow braid belt of the river, it is {{Convert|4.8|km|abbr=on}} long with a platform {{Convert|18.5|m|abbr=on}} wide, and it is used to carry railroad traffic as well as gas, power and telecommunication lines. Due to the variable nature of the river, the prediction of the river's future course is crucial in planning upstream engineering to prevent flooding on the bridge.

China built the [[Zangmu Dam]] in the upper course of the Brahmaputra River in the Tibet region and it was operationalised on 13 October 2015.<ref>{{cite news |date=13 October 2015 |title=China operationalizes biggest dam on Brahmaputra in Tibet |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/china/China-operationalizes-biggest-dam-on-Brahmaputra-in-Tibet/articleshow/49335741.cms |newspaper=The Times of India |access-date=26 July 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160422074545/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/china/China-operationalizes-biggest-dam-on-Brahmaputra-in-Tibet/articleshow/49335741.cms |archive-date=22 April 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Tributaries==
The main tributaries from the mouth:<ref name="Ganga (Ganges)-Brahmaputra">{{cite web|url=https://www.riversnetwork.org/V1/index.php/component/content/?view=article&id=57&catid=219&Itemid=179|title=Ganga (Ganges)-Brahmaputra}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
 ! Left
tributary
 ! Right
tributary
 ! Length
(km)
 ! Basin size
(km<sup>2</sup>)
 ! Average discharge
(m<sup>3</sup>/s)<sup>*</sup>
|-
| colspan="5" |'''[[Old Brahmaputra River|Old Brahmaputra]]'''
|-
|[[Meghna River|Upper Meghna]]–Kalni–[[Kushiyara River|Kushyiara]]–[[Barak River|Barak]]
| rowspan="3" |
|1,040
|85,385
|5,603.2
|-
|Shaldha
|
|555.3
|28
|-
|Beltoly
|
|232.7
|11.6
|-
| colspan="5" |'''[[Jamuna River (Bangladesh)|Jamuna]]'''
|-
| rowspan="2" |
|[[Atrai River|Atrai]]–[[Gumani River|Gumani]]
|390
|22,876.1
|800.9
|-
|Ghaghat–Alay
|148
|1,388.6
|46.6
|-
|Jinjiram
|
|
|2,798.5
|103
|-
| rowspan="3" |
|[[Teesta River|Teesta]]
|414
|12,466.1
|463.2
|-
|[[Dharla River|Dharla]]–[[Jaldhaka River|Jaldhaka]]
|289
|5,929.4
|245.1
|-
|[[Torsa River|Torsa]]
|
|12,183
|361.7
|-
| colspan="5" |'''Middle Brahmaputra'''
|-
| rowspan="3" |
|Gangadhar 
([[Sunkoshi River|Sunkosh]])
|
|11,413.9
|231.5
|-
|[[Tipkai River|Tipkai]]–Gaurang
|108
|3,202.9
|118.7
|-
|[[Champabati River|Champabuti]] (Bhur)
|135
|1,259.3
|43.1
|-
|[[Krishnai River|Krishnai]]
|
|105
|2,251.5
|82.3
|-
|
|[[Manas River|Manas]]–[[Beki River|Beki]]
|400
|36,835.1
|875
|-
|[[Kulsi River|Kulsi]]
|
|220
|4,615.2
|339.7
|-
|
|[[Puthimari River|Puthimari]]
|190
|2,737.4
|149.7
|-
|Kalbog Nadi
| rowspan="3" |
|
|283.7
|23.4
|-
|[[Kopili River|Kopili]] (Kalang)
|297
|19,705.7
|1,802
|-
|Pokoriya ([[Kolong River|Kolong]])
|
|1,265.5
|103.3
|-
| rowspan="3" |
|Bhola
|
|726.2
|69.2
|-
|Tangni
|
|500.9
|40.4
|-
|[[Dhansiri River|Dhansiri Nadi]]
|123
|1,821.8
|122.2
|-
|Leteri 
|
|
|305.7
|24.4
|-
| rowspan="4" |
|Belsiri Nadi
|
|808.7
|67.1
|-
|Gabhara Nadi
|
|697.7
|57.8
|-
|[[Kameng River|Kameng]] 
([[Bhareli River|Bhareli]])
|264
|10,841.3
|780.8
|-
|Gamiripal
|
|262.4
|22.2
|-
|[[River Diphlu|Diphlu]]
|
|
|1,050.3
|91.3
|-
| rowspan="4" |
|Bargang
|42
|640.5
|57.5
|-
|Bihmāri Nadi
|
|208.4
|18.6
|-
|Baroi
|64
|712.7
|68.5
|-
|Holongi
|167
|970.9
|92.2
|-
|[[Dhansiri]]
|
|352
|12,780.1
|978.9
|-
| rowspan="2" |
|[[Subansiri River|Subansiri]]
|518
|34,833.1
|3,153.4
|-
|Tuni 
|
|186.3
|20.2
|-
|[[Jhanji River|Jhānzi]]
| rowspan="4" |
|108
|2,102.2
|213.3
|-
|Dikhu
|200
|3,268.7
|359
|-
|Disang
|253
|4,415.1
|477.8
|-
|[[Dihing River|Burhi Dihing]]
|380
|5,975.2
|652.8
|-
| rowspan="2" |
|Simen
|68.5
|1,438
|232.1
|-
|Poba
|
|599.1
|89.4
|-
|[[Lohit River|Lohit]]
| rowspan="2" |
|560
|29,330.1
|2,138.2
|-
|[[Dibang River|Dibang]]
|324
|12,502.5
|1,337.2
|-
| colspan="5" |'''Siang'''
|-
|
|Mora Lāli Korong
|
|201.2
|30.1
|-
|Siku
| rowspan="2" |
|
|254.8
|40.7
|-
|Yamne
|
|1,266.3
|205.6
|-
| rowspan="10" |
|Sireng
|
|
|11
|-
|Yembung
|
|171
|30
|-
|Sike 
([[Siyom River|Siyom]])
|170
|5,818.3
|843.4
|-
|Simyuk (Simaang)
|
|
|12.1
|-
|Siring
|
|143.2
|21.3
|-
|Angong
|
|141.4
|19.9
|-
|Niogang (Sirapatang)
|
|151.2
|21.5
|-
|Shapateng
|
|1,044.5
|88.9
|-
|Siyi (Pall Si)
|
|154.8
|14.6
|-
|Ringong (Ripong Asi)
|
|785.6
|53.3
|-
|Yang Sang Chu
|
|
|1,302.1
|156
|-
| colspan="5" |'''[[Yarlung Tsangpo]]'''
|-
|
|Nagöng (Lugong)
|
|314.6
|17.4
|-
|Nilechu
|
|
|134.2
|10
|-
|
|Baimu Xiri
|
|695.2
|33.9
|-
|Sikong
| rowspan="3" |
|
|273.6
|18.8
|-
|Simo Chu
|
|636.7
|37.6
|-
|Chimdro Chu
|
|2,161.3
|99.2
|-
|
|Yanglang
|
|451.1
|20.5
|-
|[[Parlung Tsangpo|Parlung Zangbo]]
| rowspan="2" |
|266
|28,631
|867.6
|-
|[[Nyang River|Nyang]]
|307.5
|17,928.7
|441.9
|-
|
|Nanyi
|
|633.3
|42.2
|-
|Ga Sacouren
|
|
|1,119.9
|32.7
|-
|
|Lilong
|
|1,562.9
|89.6
|-
|Mulucuo
|
|
|1,150.1
|23.7
|-
|
|Jindong Qu
|
|958.1
|26.7
|-
|Baqu Qu
| rowspan="2" |
|
|1,624.6
|23
|-
|Zengqiqu
|
|1,453.5
|12
|-
| rowspan="2" |
|Momequ
|
|2,029.7
|23.1
|-
|Yalong
|68
|2,263.9
|26
|-
|[[Lhasa River|Lhasa]]
| rowspan="2" |
|568
|32,471
|335
|-
|[[Nimu Maqu River|Nima Maqu]]
|83
|2,385.9
|11.9
|-
|
|Menqu
|73
|11,437.1
|102.1
|-
|Wuyu Maqu
| rowspan="2" |
|
|1,609.8
|3.4
|-
|Xiangqu Qu
|
|7,427.6
|21.2
|-
|
|Nyang Qu (Nianchu)
|217
|14,231.9
|77.6
|-
|Nadong
|
|
|2,422.5
|8.4
|-
|
|Xiabu
|
|5,467.2
|20.5
|-
|Dogxung Zangbo
|
|303
|19,885.7
|58.2
|-
| rowspan="2" |
|Sa'gya Zangbo
|
|1,489.2
|6.8
|-
|Ji
|
|1,647.3
|5.4
|-
|Naxiong
|
|
|5,771.9
|74.5
|-
| rowspan="4" |
|Mang Zhaxiongqu
|
|524.1
|14.8
|-
|Galixiong
|
|411.1
|12.3
|-
|Xuede Zangbu
|
|807
|25.5
|-
|Jiajizi
|
|1,391
|24.8
|-
|Menqu Qu
| rowspan="2" |
|
|1,236.9
|7.1
|-
|Chai (Tsa Chu)
|
|4,319.6
|9.7
|-
|
|[[Maquan River|Maquan]] 
(Matsang Tsangpo)
|270
|21,502.3
|164
|}
<sup>*</sup>Period: 1971–2000

==History==
[[File:Brahmaputra River SPOT 1125.jpg|thumb|left|Brahmaputra River seen from a [[SPOT satellite]]]]
[[File:Brahmaputra system.png|thumb|The Brahmaputra and its tributaries in northeastern India and Bangladesh]]
[[File:1776 Rennell - Dury Wall Map of Bihar and Bengal, India - Geographicus - BaharBengal-dury-1776.jpg|thumb|[[James Rennell]]'s 1776 map shows the Brahmaputra's flow before an earthquake on 2 April 1762 and the [[Teesta River]] flowing in three channels to the Ganga before a flood in 1787.]]

===Earlier history===
The [[Bodo-Kachari|Kachari]] group called the river "Dilao", "Tilao".<ref>{{Cite book|last1=Syed|first1=Dr. M.H|last2=Bright|first2=P.S|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=reuQbFK9Rz4C|title=Assam General Knowledge|publisher=Bright Publications |isbn=9788171994519|access-date=31 December 2020|archive-date=8 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211008075845/https://books.google.com/books?id=reuQbFK9Rz4C|url-status=live}}</ref> Early Greek accounts of Curtius and Strabo give its name as Dyardanes ([[Ancient greek]] Δυαρδάνης) and Oidanes.<ref>{{Cite book|last1=Burnell|first1=A. C.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LMbADwAAQBAJ&pg=PA132|title=Hobson-Jobson: Glossary of Colloquial Anglo-Indian Words And Phrases|last2=Yule|first2=Henry|date=24 October 2018|publisher=Routledge|isbn=978-1-136-60332-7|pages=132|language=en|access-date=25 November 2020|archive-date=8 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211008075846/https://books.google.com/books?id=LMbADwAAQBAJ&pg=PA132|url-status=live}}</ref> In the past, the course of the lower Brahmaputra was different and passed through the [[Jamalpur District|Jamalpur]] and [[Mymensingh]] districts. Some water still flows through that course, now called the Old Brahmaputra, as a distributary of the main channel.

A question about the river system in [[Bangladesh]] is when and why the Brahmaputra changed its main course, at the site of the Jamuna and the "Old Brahmaputra" fork that can be seen by comparing modern maps to historic maps before the 1800s.<ref>e.g. Rennell, 1776; Rennel, 1787</ref> The Brahmaputra likely flowed directly south along its present main channel for much of the time since the [[last glacial maximum]], switching back and forth between the two courses several times throughout the [[Holocene]].

One idea about the most recent [[avulsion (river)|avulsion]] is that the change in the course of the main waters of the Brahmaputra took place suddenly in 1787, the year of the heavy flooding of the river Tista.

In the middle of the 18th century, at least three fair-sized streams flowed between the [[Rajshahi]] and [[Dhaka]] Divisions, viz., the Daokoba, a branch of the Tista, the Monash or Konai, and the Salangi. The Lahajang and the Elengjany were also important rivers. In Renault's time, the Brahmaputra as a first step towards securing a more direct course to the sea by leaving the Mahdupur Jungle to the east began to send a considerable volume of water down the Jinai or Jabuna from Jamalpur into the [[Monash (river)|Monash]] and Salangi. These rivers gradually coalesced and kept shifting to the west till they met the Daokoba, which was showing an equally rapid tendency to cut towards the east. The junction of these rivers gave the Brahmaputra a course worthy of her immense power, and the rivers to right and left silted up. In Renault's Altas they very much resemble the rivers of Jessore, which dried up after the hundred-mouthed Ganga had cut her new channel to join the Meghna at the south of the [[Munshiganj]] subdivision.

In 1809, [[Francis Buchanan-Hamilton]] wrote that the new channel between Bhawanipur and Dewanranj "was scarcely inferior to the mighty river, and threatens to sweep away the intermediate country". By 1830, the old channel had been reduced to its present insignificance. It was navigable by country boats throughout the year and by launches only during rains, but at the point as low as Jamalpur it was formidable throughout the cold weather. Similar was the position for two or three months just below Mymensingh also.

===International cooperation===
The waters of the River Brahmaputra are shared by Tibet, India, and Bangladesh. In the 1990s and 2000s, there was repeated speculation that mentioned Chinese plans to build a dam at the Great Bend, with a view to diverting the waters to the north of the country. This has been denied by the Chinese government for many years.<ref name="economictimes">{{cite news |title=Tibet admits to Brahmaputra project |url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics/nation/China-admits-to-Brahmaputra-project/articleshow/5842624.cms |newspaper=[[The Economic Times]] |date=22 April 2010 |access-date=22 April 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100426005022/http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics/nation/China-admits-to-Brahmaputra-project/articleshow/5842624.cms |archive-date=26 April 2010 |url-status=live }}</ref> At the Kathmandu Workshop of [[Strategic Foresight Group]] in August 2009 on Water Security in the Himalayan Region, which brought together in a rare development leading hydrologists from the basin countries, the Chinese scientists argued that it was not feasible for China to undertake such a diversion.<ref>[http://asiasecurity.macfound.org/images/uploads/news_attachments/Kathmandu_Workshop_Report.pdf MacArthur Foundation, Asian Security Initiative] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110727051907/http://asiasecurity.macfound.org/images/uploads/news_attachments/Kathmandu_Workshop_Report.pdf |date=27 July 2011 }}</ref> However, on 22 April 2010, China confirmed that it was indeed building the [[Zangmu Dam]] on the Brahmaputra in Tibet,<ref name="economictimes"/> but assured India that the project would not have any significant effect on the downstream flow to India.<ref>{{cite news |title=Chinese dam will not impact the flow of Brahmaputra: Krishna |url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/chinese-dam-will-not-impact-flow-of-brahmaputra-krishna/609953/ |newspaper=[[The Indian Express]] |date=22 April 2010 |access-date=22 April 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100425062537/http://www.indianexpress.com/news/chinese-dam-will-not-impact-flow-of-brahmaputra-krishna/609953 |archive-date=25 April 2010 |url-status=live }}</ref> This claim has also been reiterated by the Government of India, in an attempt to assuage domestic criticism of Chinese dam construction on the river, but is one that remains hotly debated.<ref>{{cite news|last1=BBC|title=Megadams: Battle on the Brahmaputra|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-26663820|access-date=10 June 2017|work=BBC News|date=20 March 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170302112603/http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-26663820|archive-date=2 March 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> Recent years have seen an intensification of grassroots opposition, especially in the state of Assam, against Chinese upstream dam building, as well as growing criticism of the Indian government for its perceived failure to respond appropriately to Chinese [[hydropower]] plans.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Yeophantong|first1=Pichamon|title=River activism, policy entrepreneurship and transboundary water disputes in Asia|journal=Water International|date=2017|volume=42|issue=2|pages=163–186|doi=10.1080/02508060.2017.1279041|s2cid=157181000}}</ref>

In a meeting of scientists at Dhaka at 2010, 25 leading experts from the basin countries issued a Dhaka Declaration on Water Security<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nation.ittefaq.com/issues/2010/01/17/news0350.htm |title=The New Nation, Bangladesh, 17 January 2010 |access-date=22 January 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110614060034/http://nation.ittefaq.com/issues/2010/01/17/news0350.htm |archive-date=14 June 2011 |url-status=dead}}</ref> calling for the exchange of information in low-flow periods, and other means of collaboration. Even though the 1997 UN Watercourses Convention does not prevent any of the basin countries from building a dam upstream, customary law offers some relief to the lower riparian countries. There is also the potential for China, India, and Bangladesh to cooperate on transboundary water navigation.

===Significance to people===
[[File:Silhouette of a fisherman on boat during sunset at Brahmaputra River, Assam, India.jpg|thumb|Silhouette of a fisherman on boat during sunset at Brahmaputra River]]
[[File:River-ferry-828301 1920.jpg|thumb|{{center|People fishing in the Brahmaputra River}}]]
The lives of many millions of Indian and Bangladeshi citizens are reliant on the Brahmaputra River. Its delta is home to 130 million people and 600 000 people live on the riverine islands. These people rely on the annual 'normal' flood to bring moisture and fresh sediments to the floodplain soils, hence providing the necessities for agricultural and marine farming. In fact, two of the three seasonal rice varieties (aus and aman) cannot survive without the floodwater. Furthermore, the fish caught both on the floodplain during flood season and from the many floodplain ponds are the main source of protein for many rural populations.

== Dams and hydropower projects ==
{{main|List of dams on the Brahmaputra River}}

Brahmaputra and Ganges floodwaters can be supplied to most lands in India by constructing a [[coastal reservoir]] to store water on the Bay of Bengal sea area.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Sasidhar |first=Nallapaneni |date=May 2023 |title=Multipurpose Freshwater Coastal Reservoirs and Their Role in Mitigating Climate Change |url=https://www.ijee.latticescipub.com/wp-content/uploads/papers/v3i1/A1842053123.pdf |access-date=15 August 2023 |journal=Indian Journal of Environment Engineering |issn=2582-9289 |volume=3 |issue=1|pages=31–46 |doi=10.54105/ijee.A1842.053123 |s2cid=258753397 }}</ref>

==Bridges==
{{anchor | Bridges }}
===India===
{{anchor | India bridges }}
==== Current bridges====
{{anchor | India current bridges }}
[[File:Churni River Bridge Ranaghat.jpg|thumb|Ranaghat Bridge or Churni River Bridge on Brahmaputra River near Pasighat in Arunachal Pradesh]]

From east to west till Parashuram Kund, then from southwest to northeast from Parshuram Kund to Patum, finally from east to southwest from Parshuram Kund to Burhidhing:

# [[Naranarayan Setu]], road and rail bridge near [[Bongaigaon]] in Assam, {{convert|2285|m|ft}}
# [[Old Saraighat Bridge]], road and rail bridge near [[Guwahati]] in Assam. {{convert|1495|m|ft}}
# [[New Saraighat Bridge]], road bridge near Guwahati in Assam. {{convert|1521|m|ft}}
# [[Kolia Bhomora Setu]], road bridge near [[Tezpur]] in Assam, {{convert|3025|m|ft}}
# [[Bogibeel Bridge]], road and rail bridge near [[Dibrugarh]] in Assam, {{convert|4940|m|ft}}, The Longest on Brahmaputra River. 
# Ranaghat Bridge on the Brahmaputra at [[Pasighat]] in Arunachal Pradesh. {{convert|3375|m|ft}}

====Approved and under-construction bridges ====
{{anchor | Bridge | Bridges | India planned bridges }}

9 new bridges, including 3 bridges in Guwahati (New Saraighat bridge parallel to the old bridge, and 2 new bridges in greenfield locations at Bharalumukh and Kurua), 1 new bridge in Tezpur parallel to the old bridge, and 5 greenfield bridges in new locations (Dhubri, Bijoynagar, Gohpur tunnel, Nemtighat, & Sivasagar) elsewhere in Assam have been approved. 5 of these were announced in 2017 by India's Minister for [[Ministry of Road Transport and Highways|MoRTH]], [[Nitin Gadkari]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.insidene.com/pm-modi-launches-mahabahu-brahmaputra-initiative-ahead-of-polls-in-assam/ | title=PM Modi launches Mahabahu-Brahmaputra initiative ahead of polls in Assam – INSIDE NE | date=18 February 2021 | access-date=18 February 2021 | archive-date=18 February 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210218091148/https://www.insidene.com/pm-modi-launches-mahabahu-brahmaputra-initiative-ahead-of-polls-in-assam/ | url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=brid1>[http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/62296136.cms Nitin Gadkari flags off cargo movement on Brahmaputra] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180102191534/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/62296136.cms |date=2 January 2018 }}, Economic Times, 29 December 2017.</ref><ref name=plan2>{{Cite news |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/fencing-to-be-over-by-december-sonowal/article23982592.ece |title=Fencing to be over by December: Sonowal |website=[[The Hindu]] |date=24 May 2018 |access-date=3 July 2020 |archive-date=3 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200703233709/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/fencing-to-be-over-by-december-sonowal/article23982592.ece |url-status=live |last1=Karmakar |first1=Rahul }}</ref>

From west to east:

# Dhubri: [[Dhubri-Phulbari bridge]], road and rail bridge in Assam, near tri-junction of east Meghalaya, west Assam and north Bangladesh<ref name=brid1/><ref name=plan2/> {{convert|12625|m|ft}}
# Bijoynagar: Palasbari-[[Sualkuchi]] bridge, to connect [[Nalbari]] to [[Bijoynagar]], [[Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport|Guwahati Airport]] & Shillong.<ref name=nbr1>[https://www.sentinelassam.com/north-east-india-news/assam-news/pm-modi-to-lay-foundation-stone-of-new-bridge-over-brahmaputra-621365 PM Modi to Lay Foundation Stone of New Bridge Over Brahmaputra], Sentinel Assam, 5 November 2022.</ref>
# Guwahati: New Saraighat Bridge is rail-cum-road bridge parallel to old bridge, will be completed by December 2023.<ref>[https://www.news18.com/news/india/three-more-bridges-over-brahmaputra-to-be-completed-in-next-five-yrs-assam-cm-4403951.html Three More Bridges Over Brahmaputra to be Completed in Next Five Yrs: Assam CM], News18, 10 November 2022.</ref>
# Guwahati: [[Kumar Bhaskar Varma Setu]], {{convert|4050|m|ft}} in central Guwahati connecting North Guwahati with Guwahati (Pan Bazar and Bharalmukh).<ref name=nbr1/>
# Guwahati: Narangi-Kurua bridge, {{convert|675|m|ft}} east of Guwahati was approved in 2022.<ref>[https://www.sentinelassam.com/north-east-india-news/assam-news/connecting-guwahati-city-via-mountains-on-centres-cards-622583 Connecting Guwahati City Via 'Mountains' On Centre's Cards], Sentinel Assam, 10 November 2022.</ref>
# Tezpur: Bhomoraguri-[[Tezpur]] Bridge (few meters parallel to existing [[Kolia Bhomora Setu|Kalia Bhomara Bridge]] at Bhomoraguri suburb of [[Tezpur]] town in Assam,<ref name=plan2/> {{convert|3250|m|ft}} was partially complete in 2021.
# [[Numaligarh-Gohpur Tunnel]]<!--NOTE: retain redlink to encourage article creation-->: under-water tunnel between [[Gohpur]] ([[Biswanath district]]) and [[Numaligarh]] ([[Golaghat district]]) in Assam<ref name=brid1/><ref name=plan2/> {{convert|4500|m|ft}} tunnel with 33.7 total length including ramp, Rs6,000 cr DPR was ready in September 2025 and construction will take 5 years after the land acquisition and award of contract.<ref>[https://infra.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/roads-highways/assams-first-underwater-tunnel-dpr-ready-6000-crore-project-awaits-cabinet-nod/124301266?utm_source=most_read&utm_medium=sectionListing Assams first underwater tunnel DPR ready, 6000 crore project awaits cabinet nod], Economic Times, 4 Oct 2025.</ref>
# [[Jorhat]]-[[Majuli]] bridge: <br /> Jorhat-Majuli bridge at [[Jorhat]] on Brahmaputra in Assam The Jorhat-Majuli bridege combined with Louit Khablu Bridge on a tributary will connect Jorhat with [[Bihpuria]] and [[Narayanpur, Assam|Narayanpur]]. When completed, it will be about 8.25&nbsp;km in length.<ref name=brid1/><ref name=plan2/> 
# Sivasagar: Disangmukh-Tekeliphuta Bridge between Disangmukh-Tekeliphuta near Sivasagar in Assam<ref name=brid1/><ref name=plan2/> 2.8&nbsp;km

====Proposed and awaiting approval by MoRTH====
{{anchor | proposed }}

* Bridges on Brahmaputra: <br>These will reduce risk of blockades, logistics cost, travel time, boost economy, and enable India's [[Look East policy (India)|Look-East]] and [[South Asian foreign policy of the Narendra Modi government|Neighbourhood-first]] connectivity.

# [[Barpeta]]-Nitarkhola Reserve bridge: half-way between Narnarayan Setu (Jogighopa) and [[Guwahati]] bridge, will reduce 140&nbsp;km distance by 100&nbsp;km to 40&nbsp;km, vital for east Assam connectivity to south Assam, Meghalaya, Bangladesh and Tripura.
# [[Bhuragaon-Kaupati Bridge]]: near [[Morigaon]] half-way between Guwahati and Tezpur, it will reduce 180&nbsp;km distance by 140&nbsp;km to 40&nbsp;km, vital for connecting [[Tawang]] and eastern end of [[East-West Industrial Corridor Highway, Arunachal Pradesh|East-West Arunachal Industrial Corridor Highway]] to South Assam, [[Tripura]], Bangladesh, [[Manipur]], [[Mizoram]] and [[Myanmar]] ([[Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project|Kaladan Project]]), all of which are vital for tourism and trade.
# [[East-West Industrial Corridor Highway, Arunachal Pradesh#Sadiya bridge|Sadiya Sille-Oyan bridge]], 40&nbsp;km long road including bridges, from Sille-Oyan<!-- As per wikiguidelines, retain redlink to encourage its creation of article. -->-Chilling Madhupur-[[Sadia]] over [[Brahmputra]] river will existing 180&nbsp;km Sille-Oyan to Sadiya distance by 140&nbsp;km and existing 150&nbsp;km Pasighat-Sadiya distance by 110&nbsp;km. It is vital for [[National Waterway 2]] and [[East-West Industrial Corridor Highway, Arunachal Pradesh|East-West Arunachal Industrial Corridor Highway]].

* Bridges on Padma River
#Dhulian bridge: between Pakur and Malda.

* Bridges on Subansiri River
#Narayanpur-Majuli Bridge to connect Narayanpur and Bodti Miri to Majuli Bridge. There is existing NH bridge near Gogamukh in north, another under construction Majuli-North Lakhimpur NH bridge in centre, and Narayanpur-Majuli Bridge in south will be third bridge.

* Bridges on Manas and Beki rivers: between Chapar and Barpeta on greenfield expressway
#Chamabati-Oudubi bridge
#Barjana-Moinbari bridge
#Balikuri-Barpeta bridge

==== Under-river tunnel ====
{{anchor | Tunnel }}
{{see also | India-China Border Roads#Tunnels | l1= India-China Border Roads & tunnels}}

# [[Numaligarh]]-[[Gohpur]] under-river tunnel.<ref>{{Cite news|date=14 July 2020|editor-last=Chaturvedi|editor-first=Amit|title=Centre gives in-principle approval for tunnel under the Brahmaputra amid tension with China: Report|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/centre-gives-in-principle-approval-for-tunnel-under-the-brahmaputra-amid-tension-with-china-report/story-aA9pwE331qA5SUjVcmUOJN.html|access-date=3 September 2020|work=Hindustan Times|language=en|archive-date=30 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200830011134/https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/centre-gives-in-principle-approval-for-tunnel-under-the-brahmaputra-amid-tension-with-china-report/story-aA9pwE331qA5SUjVcmUOJN.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The 15.6&nbsp;km long tunnel, 22 metres below the river bed, will have 18&nbsp;km approach roads to connect the [[National Highway 52 (India)|NH-52]] and Numaligarh on [[National Highway 37 (India)|NH-37]]. This total ~33&nbsp;km route will boost economy and strategic defence connectivity, protect [[Kaziranga National Park]] by diverting traffic away from the congested 2-lane highway through the park, shorten 223&nbsp;km 6 hour long Gohpur-Numaligarh route to 35&nbsp;km and 30 minutes, This twin tube tunnel, with an under road water drainage and overhead ventilation fans, will have inter-connectivity the twin tubs for evacuation. It will be equipped with sensors, CCTV, automated safety and traffic control systems. It will cost Rs 12,807 crore (US$1.7 billion in 2021).<ref name=goh1>{{Cite news| date= 9 September 2021| editor-last= DAS GUPTA| editor-first= MOUSHUMI DAS GUPTA| title= Modi govt proposes 15.6-km twin road tunnel of strategic importance under Brahmaputra| url= https://theprint.in/india/modi-govt-proposes-15-6-km-twin-road-tunnel-of-strategic-importance-under-brahmaputra/731790/| access-date= 10 September 2021| work= The Print| language= en| archive-date= 11 September 2021| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210911072212/https://theprint.in/india/modi-govt-proposes-15-6-km-twin-road-tunnel-of-strategic-importance-under-brahmaputra/731790/| url-status= live}}</ref>

===Bangladesh===
{{anchor | Bangladesh planned bridges }}
{{See also | List of bridges in Bangladesh }}

==== Present bridges in Bangladesh====

* Bridges on Brahmaputra (Jamuna River)
# [[Bangabandhu Bridge]] (formerly Jamuna Bridge), road and rail bridge connects [[Siraiganj]] and [[Tangail]] on either side of the river.
# [[Bangabandhu Railway Bridge]] is under contraction railway bridge over Bramhmaputra River. It is connect Bangabandhu Bridge East Railway Station to Bangabandhu West Railway station

* Bridges on [[Padma River]] tributary of Brahmaputra
# [[Padma Bridge]], road and rail bridge, south of Dhaka. 
# [[Lalon Shah Bridge]] road bridge on Padma River tributary of Brahmaputra, near Ishwardi & Pabna.
# [[Hardinge Bridge]], rail bridge on Padma River next to Lalon Shah Bridge.

====Planned bridges in Bangladesh====
{{anchor | plannedban }}

* Bridges on Brahmaputra (Jamuna River)
# Kurigram-Mankachar bridge, rail and road bridge connecting west [[Meghalaya]] (Mankachar) and north Bangladesh (Kurigram, [[Rangpur, Bangladesh|Rangpur]] & [[Dinajpur]]) to north West Bengal ([[Cooch Behar]] & [[Siliguri]]) and [[Sikkim]].
# Gaibandha-Bakshiganj Bridge, road and rail bridge to connect existing rail and road heads at [[Gaibandha]]-[[Bakshiganj]] on either side of the river. It will connect southwest Meghalaya (India) & south Assam ([[Silchar]], India) to [[Bogura]] (Bangladesh), [[Malda, Bihar|Malda]] (India), [[Bhagalpur]] (India) as an alternative to the chicken-neck [[Siliguri Corridor]].
#[[Bogura]]-[[Jamalpur, Bangladesh|Jamalpur]] Gaibandha-Bakshiganj Bridge, road and rail bridge to connect [[Imphal]]-Silcher to [[Sylhet]]-[[Mymensingh]]-[[Bogura]] to Malda-[[Gaya, India|Gaya]]-[[Patna]].
# Shivalya-[[Golanda]]-[[Bhagulpur]] Bridge, road and rail bridge to connect existing rail and road heads at [[Siraiganj]]-[[Tangail]] on either side of the river.
#Chandpur Bridge, rail and road bridge to connect Northeast India ([[Aizawal]]-[[Rikhawdar]] in Mizoram & Udaipur in Tripura) to Bangladesh ([[Cumilla]]-[[Khulna]]) and [[Kolkata]].
# Elisha-Lakshmipur Bridge, rail and road bridge to connect south Mizoram ([[Lunglei]]-[[Talabung]]) and south Tripura [[Sabroom]] to Feni-[[Barisal]]-[[Port of Mongla]] and [[Diamond Harbour]]-[[Haldia]] ports.

* Bridges on Padma river
# Rajshahi bridge

===Tibet (China)===
{{unreferenced section|date=June 2023}}
In course of last 64 years, since Tibet became part of China as an Autonomous region, at least 10 Bridges have been built on Brahmaputra River. 
Currently as per satellite imagery, only 4–5 bridges built on River Brahmaputra have been confirmed. These are as follows as per Google Map Satellite View:- 
# Ziajhulinzhen Bridge, Built in 2009–2012 at {{convert|4350|m|ft}}, this is the Second longest Bridge on Brahmaputra river. 
# Nyingchi Bridge, built in 2014 to connect Nyingchi with Lhasa by railway, this bridge is {{convert|750|m|ft}} long.
# Lasahe Bridge, built over Lhasa River, this road bridge is {{convert|929|m|ft}} long. 
# Shigatse Bridge, this {{convert|2750|m|ft}} long bridge built over Yarlung Tsangpo (Brahmaputra) River to connect Lhasa with Shigatse by both road & Rail.
# Lhatse Bridge, this {{convert|2250|m|ft}} long bridge built over Yarlung Tsangpo (Brahmaputra) River to connect Kailash-Mansarovar region with Lhasa by Road. 
# Shannan Bridge, this {{convert|2000|m|ft}} long bridge built over Yarlung Tsangpo (Brahmaputra) River to connect Lhasa with Nyingchi by road. 
# Shangri Bridge, this {{convert|1500|m|ft}} long bridge built over Yarlung Tsangpo (Brahmaputra) River to connect Lhasa with Nyingchi by road.
# 3 more Bridges over Yarlung Tsangpo (Brahmaputra) River is in Tibet (China) Autonomous Region, but details are unknown.

==National Waterway 2 in India==
[[National Waterway 2]] (NW2) is 891&nbsp;km long [[Sadiya]]-[[Dhubri]] stretch of Brahmaputra River in [[Assam]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://egazette.nic.in/WriteReadData/2016/168716.pdf |title=The National Waterways Act, 2016 |access-date=29 December 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180516214245/http://egazette.nic.in/WriteReadData/2016/168716.pdf |archive-date=16 May 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Press Information Bureau|url=http://pib.nic.in/newsite/mbErel.aspx?relid=147477|website=www.pib.nic.in|publisher=Government of India|access-date=30 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170426102233/http://pib.nic.in/newsite/mbErel.aspx?relid=147477|archive-date=26 April 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Cultural depictions ==

* Namami Brahmaputra Theme Song (in Hindi and Assamese) of [[Namami Brahmaputra]] festival.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Borah |first1=Prabalika M. |title=Namami Brahmaputra |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/music/celebrating-the-river/article17577045.ece |access-date=5 July 2022 |work=The Hindu |date=22 March 2017 |language=en-IN |archive-date=5 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220705191512/https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/music/celebrating-the-river/article17577045.ece |url-status=live }}</ref>

== See also ==
{{col div|colwidth=35em}}
* [[BrahMos (missile)]] – A missile named partly after the Brahmaputra River
* [[Brahmaputra-class frigate]]
* [[Dhola-Sadiya bridge]]
* [[List of rivers of Asia]]
* [[List of rivers of Assam]]
* [[List of rivers of Bangladesh]]
* [[List of rivers of China]]
* [[List of rivers of India]]
* [[Peninsular River System]]
{{colend}}

== Notes ==
{{reflist|group=n}}

== References ==
{{reflist|
refs=
<ref name="NYTimes2015-03-30">
{{cite news
| url         = https://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/31/opinion/the-price-of-damming-tibets-rivers.html
| title       = The Price of Damming Tibet's Rivers
| newspaper   = [[The New York Times]]
| author      = Michael Buckley
| date        = 30 March 2015
| page        = A25
| archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20150331103802/http://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/31/opinion/the-price-of-damming-tibets-rivers.html
| archive-date = 31 March 2015
| access-date  = 1 April 2015
| url-status     = live
| quote       = Two of the continent's wildest rivers have their sources in Tibet: the Salween and the Brahmaputra Though yes they are under threat from retreating glaciers, a more immediate concern is Chinese engineering plans. A cascade of five large dams is planned for both the Salween, which now flows freely, and the Brahmaputra, where one dam is already operational.
}}
</ref>
}}

===Bibliography===
{{refbegin}}
* {{cite journal|last1=Rahaman|first1=M. M.|last2=Varis|first2=O.|year=2009|title=Integrated Water Management of the Brahmaputra Basin: Perspectives and Hope for Regional Development|journal=Natural Resources Forum|volume=33|issue=1|pages=60–75|doi=10.1111/j.1477-8947.2009.01209.x}}
* {{Cite journal|last=Sarma|first=J N|title=Fluvial process and morphology of the Brahmaputra River in Assam, India|journal=Geomorphology|volume=70|issue=3–4|pages=226–256|year=2005|doi=10.1016/j.geomorph.2005.02.007|bibcode=2005Geomo..70..226S}}
* Ribhaba Bharali. The Brahmaputra River Restoration Project. Published in Assamese Pratidin, Amar Assam in October 2012.
{{refend}}

==Further reading==
* [http://www.ppl.nl/index.php?option=com_wrapper&view=wrapper&Itemid=82 Bibliography on Water Resources and International Law]. Peace Palace Library
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20060509083056/http://dhemaji.nic.in/flood/rivers.htm Rivers of Dhemaji and Dhakuakhana]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070311045950/http://www.southasianfloods.org/document/ffb/index.html Background to Brahmaputra Flood Scenario]
* [http://www.onlinesivasagar.com/wildlife/brahmaputra.html The Mighty Brahmaputra]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20140731133055/http://www.assamportal.com/principal-rivers-in-assam/ Principal Rivers of Assam]
* "The Brahmaputra", a detailed study of the river by renowned writer Arup Dutta. (Published by National Book Trust, New Delhi, India)
* Émilie Crémin. Entre mobilité et sédentarité : les Mising, "peuple du fleuve", face à l'endiguement du Brahmapoutre (Assam, Inde du Nord-Est). Milieux et Changements globaux. Université Paris 8 Vincennes Saint-Denis, 2014. Français. https://tel.archives-ouvertes.fr/tel-01139754
* [https://www.aksharnaad.com/2018/06/16/my-assam-trip-brahmaputra/ My Trip of Mighty Brahmaputra (in Gujarati)]

== External links ==
{{EB1911 poster|Brahmaputra}}
* {{Commons category-inline}}

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[[Category:Brahmaputra River| ]]
[[Category:International rivers of Asia]]
[[Category:Rivers of Bangladesh]]
[[Category:Rivers of China]]
[[Category:Bay of Bengal]]
[[Category:Sacred rivers]]
[[Category:Rivers of Arunachal Pradesh]]
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[[Category:Rivers of Dhaka Division]]
[[Category:Rivers of Rangpur Division]]
[[Category:Braided rivers in India]]