Brahamaputra Basin

Brahamaputra Basin
Version 2.0
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Brahamaputra Basin
Preface
Optimal management of water resources is the necessity of time in the wake of development and
growing need of population of India. The National Water Policy of India (2002) recognizes that
development and management of water resources need to be governed by national perspectives in
order to develop and conserve the scarce water resources in an integrated and environmentally
sound basis. The policy emphasizes the need for effective management of water resources by
intensifying research efforts in use of remote sensing technology and developing an information
system. In this reference a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed on December 3, 2008
between the Central Water Commission (CWC) and National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC), Indian
Space Research Organisation (ISRO) to execute the project “Generation of Database and
Implementation of Web enabled Water resources Information System in the Country” short named
as India-WRIS WebGIS.
India-WRIS WebGIS has been developed and is in public domain since December 2010 (www.indiawris.nrsc.gov.in).
It provides a ‘Single Window solution’ for all water resources data and information
in a standardized national GIS framework and allow users to search, access, visualize, understand
and analyze comprehensive and contextual water resources data and information for planning,
development and Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM).
Basin is recognized as the ideal and practical unit of water resources management because it allows
the holistic understanding of upstream-downstream hydrological interactions and solutions for
management for all competing sectors of water demand. The practice of basin planning has
developed due to the changing demands on river systems and the changing conditions of rivers by
human interventions. The multiple uses of water and varying demands on a river basin require an
integrated approach to managing river basin.
Basin wise report generation is one the important deliverables of India-WRIS project. Report of
Brahamaputra Basin describes systematically the present status of water resources: major water
resources projects, hydro-meteorological observations, surface and ground water development
scenario, topographic characteristics, climatic variability, land use / land cover pattern & allied
natural resources along with socio-economic profile of the basin. The report contains valuable latest
information of the basin on all aspects of water resources and allied sectors and will be useful as
baseline information for the irrigation officials, hydrologists, agriculturalists, conservationists,
research organizations and all those involved in the development of Brahamaputra Basin.
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Brahamaputra Basin
Acknowledgements
The Brahamaputra Basin report is an outcome of the project “Generation of Database and
Implementation of Web enabled Water resources Information System in the Country” short named
as India-WRIS WebGIS jointly executed by the Central Water Commission (CWC) and National
Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC), Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO). This comprehensive
publication gives the present status of water resources assets, topographic features, climatic
variability, land use / land cover pattern & allied natural resources along with socio-economic
information of the basin.
We, on behalf of the authors and India-WRIS project team acknowledge; Shri Alok Rawat, Secretary,
Ministry of Water Resources; Mrs. Sudha Midha, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Water
Resources; Er. A. B. Pandya, Chairman, Central Water Commission; Dr. K. Radhakrishnan, Chairman,
Indian Space Research Organization and Secretary, Department of Space; Shri Sudarsanam
Srinivasan, Secretary to GOI and Member- Finance, Department of Space; Shri A. Vijay Anand,
Additional Secretary, Department of Space; Dr. V. Koteswara Rao, Scientific Secretary, ISRO; Dr. V.
Jayaraman, Ex-Director, NRSC for constant encouragement and guidance, technical discussions and
for evincing keen interest in India-WRIS project and this report.
Our foremost acknowledgement is towards India-WRIS project team who created and
organized large number of data sets and information in GIS format as seamless layers and attribute
data for the entire country which served as base for this report. Thanks are also due to all CWC and
NRSC / ISRO officials who carried out the quality assurance and shown their enthusiastic
involvement. Finally, our sincere thanks are to all divisions and officials of NRSC and CWC for their
valuable support during the preparation of this report.
The basin report includes the results generated through interpretation of latest satellite imageries as
well as compilation of huge information from voluminous records. This would not have been
possible without the countrywide support. We would like to thank all the organizations, institutes
and individuals who contributed either directly or indirectly in bringing out this publication.
Dr. J R Sharma
Project Director, India-WRIS &
Chief General Manager, RCs/ NRSC/ ISRO, New Delhi
Er. Yogesh Paithankar
Project In-charge, India-WRIS &
Director, CWC, New Delhi
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Brahamaputra Basin
Executive summary
Brahmaputra basin spreads over 580,000 Sq.km spreads over China (50.5%), India (33.6%),
Bangladesh (8.1%) and Bhutan (7.8%). Although the main river does not flow through the kingdom of
Bhutan, 96 % of Bhutan’s area falls under this Basin. In India, the catchment area spreads over states
of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, West Bengal, Meghalaya, Nagaland and Sikkim covering 1,94,413 Sq.
km. which is nearly 5.9 % of the total geographical area of the country. The basin lies between
88°11’ to 96°57’ east longitudes and 24°44’ to 30°3’ north latitudes. The upper portion of the basin
(Indian part) lying in Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland and the some lower portion of the basin falling in
Sikkim is mostly mountain ranges and narrow valleys.
Most portion of the basin lying in Assam and Meghalaya consists of hills, forests and the wide
Brahmaputra valley about 80 km wide on the average. In West Bengal, also, the basin covers of hills
and forests besides the plains in the districts of Koch Behar and Jalpaiguri. Brahmaputra basin in
Indian portion experience winter, summer, monsoon and autum/post-monsoon season.The basin
experience heavy rainfall. The distribution of rainfall in the Brahmaputra basin is different at
different parts of the basin. In southern slopes of Himalayan region falling in this basin experiences
rainfall is over 6000 mm. The minimum and maximum temperature of the basin is 16.16°C and
38.79°C respectively. The higher elevation in the Himalayan ranges experience lower temperatures
and snowfall also.
The catchment area of Brahmaputra River in India, receives a number of tributaries at its north and
south banks. Crop fields, extensive forest cover, tea plantations, grazing land and water logged
swampy areas with a huge network of tributaries are commonly observed components of the
landuse/cover of the Brahmaputra basin. The major part of basin is covered with forest accounting
to 55.48% of the total area. The most predominant soil type found in the basin is the red loamy soil
and alluvial soil. Other important soil types are sandy, loamy, clayey soils, their combinations and
laterite soils. The entire Brahmaputra basin falls in the Eastern Himalayan agro-climatic zone
(Planning commission, 1989). Brahmaputra basin falls in 3 agro-ecological zones. Most of the upper
Brahmaputra sub basin area falls in the ‘Warm perhumid eco-region with brown and red hill soils’.
The Brahmaputra Valley area is dominating by ‘Hot subhumid (moist) to humid (inclusion of
perhumid) eco-regions with alluvial-derived soils’. The lowermost part of the basin is falling in the
‘Warm perhumid eco-region with red and lateritic soils’.
The basin spreads over 22 parliamentary constituencies (2009) comprising 12 of Assam, 4 of West
Bengal, 2 of Arunachal Pradesh, 2 of Meghalaya, 1 of Sikkim and 1 of Nagaland. The total no. of
villages falling in the basin is 20,050 with 33,72,532 no. of households. The total population in this
basin is 1,77,18,190 (Census,2001). The plain region (the Brahmaputra valley) is densely populated in
comparision to the hilly region of this basin. Majority of population is dependent on agriculture and
allied land based activities. Shifting cultivation (slash and burn agriculture) is still the chief means of
livelihood of tribal people. Brahmaputra basin is also rich in mineral resource especially the
Brahmaputra valley.
The Brahmaputra Basin constitutes of two major sub basins “Brahmaputra Upper” and
“Brahmaputra Lower”. The Brahmaputra is further divided into 180 watersheds. The Brahmaputra
Upper and the Lower sub basin comprised of 97 and 83 watersheds respectively. The Brahmaputra
and its tributaries carry more than 30 % of the total water resources potential of the country.
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Brahamaputra Basin
Besides, this region has the highest per capita and per hectare availability of water in the country
and possesses as much as 41 per cent of the country's total hydropower potential. The average
annual water potential and the utilizable surface water of the basin are 537.24 BMC and 24 BCM
respectively. Prior to independence, little thought was given towards water resources development
in Brahmaputra valley. In the Brahmaputra basin the development of irrigation started after the 3rd
five year plan. Lower Subansiri & Ranganadi of Arunachal Pradesh, Khandong Dam of Meghalaya,
Doyang dam of Nagaland, & Rangit-III Dam of Sikkim are few major dams constructed across
Brahmaputra and its tributaries. Barrages associated with the major and medium irrigation projects
of this basin are Teesta, Dhansiri, Barolia, Jaldhaka, Burisuti, Garufella, Dzuza,
Baradikarai,Champamati, Longa, Bhumki barrage ect. Important weirs constructed in this region are
Sukla, Jamuna, Umiam-Umtru and Pahumura weir.The main purpose of barrages and weirs
constructed in the basin is Irrigation. Dams constructed in this basin are basically to tap the immense
hydropower potential of this region.The Brahmaputra basin has abundant hydropower
potential.Several hydropower projects of this region like the Kopili (200 MW), Khandong (75 MW),
Karbi Langpi (100 MW) of Assam, Lower Subansiri (2,000 MW), Dibang (3000 MW), Kameng (600
MW), and Ranganadi (405 MW) of Arunachal Pradesh, Teesta-V (510 MW) of West Bengal,Umiam-
Umtru Power Complex (174 MW) of Meghalaya etc. are presently at various stages of operation,
development and planning.
There are 27 gauge sites, 5 gauge discharge sites, 40 gauge quality sites, 14 gauge discharge quality
sites, 10 gauge discharge sediment sites, and 18 gauge discharge sediment quality sites in the basin
which are maintained by Central Water Commission (CWC) for the study of hydro-meteorological
observations. The Central Water Commission also operates 27 flood forecasting stations for Level
forecast in the basin.
The basin has good quality of ground water except for high dissolved iron content at some places,
though very few places are affected by salinity. Arsenic contamination in groundwater is also
reported in the Brahmaputra flood plain of Assam.
National Water Development Authority has proposed to connect the Brahmaputra River/ tributaries
to Ganga Basin to transfer its surplus water to the water scarce regions. These 2 links are : i) Manas-
Sankosh-Tista-Ganga Link which will joins Manas River to Ganga River via Sankosh and Teesta Rivers
and ii) the Jogighopa-Tista-Farakka Link which will join Brahmaputra River (Jogighopa Barrage) to
Ganga River (Farakka Barrage).
Due to large deltaic plain, Inland navigation is an important and popular mode of traffic transport in
this basin. Brahmaputra from Dhubri to Sadiya was declared as National Waterway no.2. Some
tributaries of Brahmaputra are navigable throughout the year by country boats.
Flood, Drastic bank line changes and severe bank erosion are grave problems of this basin.
The Brahmaputra basin in India shows, such a huge water resources potential which provides lot of
scope for developmental activities for hydropower, navigation, irrigation, pisciculture, recreation
etc.
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Brahamaputra Basin
Table of Contents
Preface --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------i
Acknowledgements ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ii
Executive summary ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ iii
1.Introduction
1.1 Overview of basin -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1
1.2 Topography --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 8
1.3 Climate ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 11
1.3.1 Rainfall ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 11
1.3.2 Temperature ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 12
1.3.3 Trends and variability ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 14
1.4 Major rivers ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 15
1.5 Land use/land cover --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 18
1.6 Soils ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 19
1.7 Agro-climatic zones ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 21
1.8 Agro-ecological zones ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 21
1.9 Demography ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 26
2. Hydrological units
2.1 Sub-basins --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 28
2.2 Watersheds ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 28
3. Surface water resources
3.1 Surface waterbodies -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 31
3.2. Water resource projects --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 32
3.2.1 Major and medium irrigation projects --------------------------------------------------------------------- 32
3.2.2 Hydro Electric projects ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 37
3.2.3 Dams, Barrages/Weirs/Anicuts ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 38
3.2.4 Command area and canal network ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 43
3.2.5 Multipurpose projects ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 44
3.2.6 Interstate projects---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 44
4. Ground water resources
4.1 Ground water observation wells ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 46
4.2 Ground water level fluctuation ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 48
4.3 Litholog well locations -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 51
5. Hydro-met observations
5.1 Hydrological observation sites -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 53
5.2 Flood forecasting sites ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 55
5.3 Meteorological stations ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 55
6. Water quality
6.1 Surface water quality observations -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 56
6.2 Ground water quality observations --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 57
7. Inter basin transfer links ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 58
8. Inland navigation waterways ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 60
9. Water tourism sites ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 62
10. Conclusion --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 65
Annexure I: State, district and parliamentary constituency in the basin --------------------------- 66
Annexure II : Climate – Rainfall (1971-2004) and Temperature (1969-2004)
profile in the basin------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 70
Annexure III : Sub basin wise population and drinking water facilities ----------------------------- 72
Annexure IV : Inventory of surface water resources --------------------------------------------------- 75
Annexure V : Inventory of litholog well locations ------------------------------------------------------ 82
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Brahamaputra Basin
Annexure VI : Salient features of hydro-meteorological stations ------------------------------------ 89
Annexure VII : Inventory of water tourism sites -------------------------------------------------------- 106
Acronyms------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 113
References ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 117
Authors and Project team ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 118
List of Tables
Table 1. Salient features of the basin---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4
Table 2. Brahmaputra Basin Major Hydrological Observation Sites------------------------------------------------------- 7
Table 3. Elevation zones-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 9
Table 4. Length of major rivers------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 16
Table 5. Land use/Land cover statistics (2005-06) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 19
Table 6. Sub-basin wise watersheds----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 28
Table 7. Number and size of waterbodies---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 31
Table 8. Number of water resources projects ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 32
Table 9. Sub-basin wise number and type of water resources structures ----------------------------------------------- 39
Table 10. Sub-basin wise number of ground water observation wells---------------------------------------------------- 46
Table 11. Hydrological observation sites of CWC------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 53
Table 12. Types of flood forecasting stations of CWC------------------------------------------------------------------------- 55
Table 13. Meteorological stations-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 55
Table 14. Water tourism sites------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 63
List of Maps
Map 1. Index map---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3
Map 2a. Satellite imagery of Brahmaputra Basin ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 5
Map 2b. Brahmaputra Basin - Drainage & Sub-basin ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6
Map 3. Elevation zones --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 10
Map 4. Annual average rainfall----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 13
Map 5. Land use/land cover (2005-06)-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 20
Map 6. Agro-climatic zones---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 24
Map 7. Agro-ecological zones------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 25
Map 8. Population density----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 27
Map 9a. Brahmaputra Upper Sub-basin and watersheds-------------------------------------------------------------------- 29
Map 9b. Brahmaputra Lower Sub-basin and watersheds-------------------------------------------------------------------- 30
Map 10. Major water resources structures and projects--------------------------------------------------------------------- 36
Map 11a. Brahmaputra Upper Sub-basin water resources assets --------------------------------------------------------- 40
Map 11a. Brahmaputra Upper Sub-basin water resources assets --------------------------------------------------------- 41
Map 12. Command area and canal network------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 45
Map 13. Location of ground water observation wells------------------------------------------------------------------------- 46
Map 14. Ground water level fluctuation (Recharge)--------------------------------------------------------------------------- 49
Map 15. Ground water level fluctuation (Draft)-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 50
Map 16. Litholog well locations----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 52
Map 17. Hydro observation and flood forecasting stations------------------------------------------------------------------ 54
Map 18. Inter basin transfer links-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 59
Map 19. Inland navigation waterways-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 61
Map 20. Water tourism sites-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 63
List of Figures
Figure 1. State wise Basin area ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2
Figure 2. Monthly average temperature (1969-2004) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 14
Figure 3. Trend of annual average rainfall (1971-2004)----------------------------------------------------------------------- 14
Figure 4. Sub-basins and percent drainage area-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 28
Figure 5. Type and number of waterbodies ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 32
Figure 6. Dam classification based on storage ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 42
Figure 7. Dam classification based on purpose --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 42
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Brahamaputra Basin
1.Introduction
1.1 Overview of basin
Brahmaputra basin forms a part of the major water division ‘the rivers draining into Bay of Bengal’.
Based upon the drainage outlet it is further included under the ‘Brahmaputra drainage’water
resources region.
The mighty Brahmaputra River originates in the great glacier mass north from Kailash ranges of
Himalayas at an elevation of 5,150 m just south of the lake called ‘Konggyu Tsho’. The Brahmaputra
River traverses a distance of 2,900 km, through four countries, namely Tibet (China), Bhutan, India
and Bangladesh, before joining the Bay of Bengal. It has an average annual discharge of 19,820
cumec, an average annual sediment load of 735 million metric tonnes, and a specific flood discharge
of 0.149 cumec / Sq.km.
Brahmaputra basin spreads over 580,000 Sq.km which covers China (50.5%), India (33.6%),
Bangladesh (8.1%) and Bhutan (7.8%). Although the main river does not flow through the kingdom of
Bhutan, 96% of Bhutan’s area falls under this basin.The basin is of irregular shape; the maximum
east-west length is 1,540 km and the maximum north-south width is 682 km.
Map 1 shows the geographical location of the basin with terrain features from DEM. The highlighted
blue boundary shows the basin extent overlaid on state boundary. The basin lies between 88°11’ to
96°57’ east longitudes and 24°44’ to 30°3’ north latitudes and covers an area of 1,94,413 Sq.km
which is nearly 5.9% of the total geographical area of the country. In India, the river flows for 916
km. Brahmaputra basin part in India, spreads over states of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, West Bengal,
Meghalaya, Nagaland and the whole of Sikkim. Brahmaputra basin (in India) is bounded by the
Himalayas on the north, by the Patkai range of hills on the east running along the India-Myanmar
border, by the Assam range of hills on the south and by the Himalayas and the ridge separating it
from Ganga basin on the west. The distribution of the drainage area of Brahmaputra River in the
states of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, West Bengal, Meghalaya, Nagaland, and Sikkim are 81,424
Sq.km, 70,634 Sq.km, 12,585 Sq.km, 11,667 Sq.km, 10,803 Sq.km and 7,300 Sq.km respectively as
shown through pie chart in Figure 1. Salient features of the basin are listed in Table 1. Map 2a is the
56 m resolution False Colour Composite AWiFS satellite imagery of the Brahmaputra basin. Map 2b
gives a detailed view of the Brahmaputra basin, its sub basins, drainage network and its pattern
across the basin. Major water resources structures (Dam/Barrage/Anicuts), major cities and major
hydro-meteorological observation sites and flood forecasting sites are also shown in the map. The
major hydrological observation sites of Brahmaputra basin are tabulated in Table 2.
The climate throughout the region is damp with humidity around 90%. Variation of atmospheric
temperature is considerably low unlike rest of India. The Brahmaputra catchment is the heaviest
rainfall region in the world. The Brahmaputra basin, particularly the portions in Assam, is notorious
for the annual flood hazards and river bank erosion that create mayhem every year, bringing misery
to the people and shattering the fragile agro-economic base of this region. This basin is seismically
very active falling in the ‘Seismic zone-V’ (except few parts of West Bengal and Sikkim falling in
seismic zone-IV). This sensitive zone is experienced several devastating earthquakes in the past. Part
of the Himalayan Mountains region of Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh falling in Brahmaputra basin
experience snow cover. Brahmaputra basin represents the greenest part of India, accounting the
maximum 55.48% (107854.26 Sq.km) of forest cover.
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Brahamaputra Basin
Most interesting feature of the Brahmaputra River, in its middle reach is “Majuli”, the river island, in
Assam, is marked as the largest mid river delta system in the world (UNESCO).
Brahmaputra Board was established by the Govt.of India in 1980 with the objective of preparing a
master plan for controlling the flood and bank erosion and improving the drainage of the
Brahmaputra valley, simultaneously tapping the immense water potential for hydropower
generation and possible irrigation.
Figure 1. State wise Basin area
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Brahamaputra Basin
Map 1. Index map
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Brahamaputra Basin
Table 1. Salient features of the basin
Sl No. Feature Description
1 Basin Extent 88° 11' to 96° 57' E
24°44’ to 30°3' N
2 Area (Sq.km) 1,94,413*
3 States in the basin Arunachal Pradesh- 42.57%
Assam- 36.47%
West Bengal-5.9%
Meghalaya- 5.7%
Nagaland- 5.63%
Sikkim- 3.69%
Manipur-0.03%
4 Districts (Census 2011) 56
5 Parliamentary Constituencies (2009) 22
6 Mean Annual Rainfall (mm) 2720.35
7 Mean Maximum Temperature ( o C) 38.79
8 Mean Minimum Temperature ( o C) 16.16
9 Total Population (As per Census 1,77,18,190
2001)
10 Number of villages (As per Census 20,050
2001)
11 Highest Elevation (m) 8401 m
12 Avg. Annual Water Potential (BCM) 537.24
13 Utilizable Surface Water (BCM) 24
14 Number of Sub Basins 2
15 Number of Watersheds 180
16 Number of water resources
Dams-16
structures
Barrages-17
Weirs-5
Anicuts-0
Lifts-4
Power Houses-21
17 Highest Dam Subansiri Lower Dam-130 m
18 Longest Dam Lower Teesta-IV Dam-511 m
19 Highest Barrage Dhanishri-13.25 m
20 Longest Barrage Teesta Barrage- 921.5 m
21 Number of Irrigation projects Major-9
Medium-13
ERM-3
22 Number of HE projects 17
23 Number of Ground water observation 61
wells
24 Number of Hydro-Observation Sites 114
25 Number of Flood Forecasting Sites 27
26 Water tourism sites Approx.102
*GIS based calculated area: 1,86,365 Sq.Km
(As per available India-WRIS record)
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Brahamaputra Basin
5
Map 2a. Satellite imagery of Brahmaputra Basin

Brahamaputra Basin
6
Map 2b. Brahmaputra Basin - Drainage & Sub-basin

Brahamaputra Basin
Table 2.Brahmaputra Basin Major Hydrological Observation Sites
1 Tuting (GDQ) 30 Tezpur (GQ & FF)
2 Passighat (GDQ) 31 Kheronighat (GQ)
3 Kibithu (GDQ) 32 Kampur (GQ & FF)
4 Tezu (GQ) 33 Dharamtul (GQ & FF)
5 Namsai (GQ) 34 Jagibhakatgaon (GDSQ)
6 Miao (GQ) 35 Sonapur (GDSQ)
7 Dholabazar (GQ) 36 Guwahati (G & FF)
8 Dibrugarh (GQ & FF) 37 Pandu (GDSQ)
9 Udaipur (GDQ) 38 Puthimari (NHX) (G & FF)
10 Margherita (GQ) 39 Pagladia (NTX) (G & FF)
11 Naharkatia (GQ & FF) 40 Kulsi (GDSQ)
12 Chenimari (Khowang) (GDSQ) 41 Dudhnai (GDSQ)
13 Dillighat (GQ) 42 Beki Road bridge (GDQ & FF)
14 Desangpani (GQ) 43 Manas NH Crossing (GDQ & FF)
15 Nanglamoraghat (GQ & FF) 44 Goalpara (G & FF)
16 Bihubar (GQ) 45 Pancharatna (GDSQ)
17 Sivasagar (GDSQ & FF) 46 Kokrajhar (GDSQ)
18 Neamatighat (GQ & FF) 47 Dhubri (G & FF)
19 Lemeking (GDQ) 48 Golakganj (G & FF)
20 Chouldhowaghat (GDSQ) 49 Sankosh (GDSQ)
21 Ranganadi NT-Road Crossing (GDQ) 50 Barabisha (GDSQ)
22 Badatighat (GQ & FF) 51 Chepan (GDQ)
23 Bokajan (GQ) 52 Tufanganj (GDQ & FF)
24 Golaghat (GDSQ & FF) 53 Hasimara (GDSQ)
25 Numaligarh (GQ & FF) 54 Ghughumari (GDSQ & FF)
26 Seppa (GQ) 55 NH-31 (GDSQ & FF)
27 Bhalukpong (GDQ) 56 Mathabhanga (GDSQ & FF)
28 Jiabharali NT Road X-ing (GQ & FF) 57 Domohani (GDSQ & FF)
29 Bhomoraguri (GDQ) 58 Mekhliganj (GD & FF)
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Brahamaputra Basin
1.2 Topography
The Brahmaputra, a unique river drains such diverse environment as the cold dry plateau of Tibet,
the rain-drenched Himalayan slopes, and the landlocked alluvial plains of Assam and the vast deltaic
low-lands of Bangladesh.
The upper portion of the basin (Indian part) lying in Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland and the some
lower portion of the basin falling in Sikkim is mostly mountain ranges and narrows valleys. Most
portion of the basin lying in Assam and Meghalaya consists of hills, forests and the wide
Brahmaputra valley which is about 80 km wide on an average. In West Bengal, also the basin covers
of hills and forests besides the plains in the districts of Koch Behar and Jalpaiguri.
The basin part falling in India consists of 5 physiographic parts (NATMO, 1981). Topography of the
each region are described below-
i) Assam Valley: The plain Assam/ Brahmaputra valley is long and narrow. It is 640 km long and the
width varies from 64 km to 90 km.The valley is bounded in the north by high Himalayan
mountain ranges, in the east by the Patkai hill ranges, in the south by the lower (Assam) hill
ranges of Garo, Khasi and Naga hills and in the west, it is continuous with the plains of
Bangladesh. Extending from the eastern most tip of Upper Assam near the syntaxial bend of
Eastern Himalaya to the west of Dhubri on the border of Bangladesh, the valley (about 720 km x
80 km) covers an area of about 56,274 km 2 .
The Assam/Brahmaputra valley built mostly by the aggradational work of the Brahmaputra and
its tributaries is almost a flat level plain with very little slope from its north-east corner at Sadiya
to Dhubri in the west.The general level of the valley ranges from 130m in the east to 30 m in the
west with a fall of about 12 cm per km.Physically the valley is demarcated from its surrounding
ranges by the 150 m contour.The valley in its northern margin is characterised by the steep
slope, having an almost immediate fall from the foothills of the Himalaya. But the southern
margin has a gradual fall from the soutrhern Hill ranges. Interesting geomorphological feature of
the valley is the presence of a good number of isolated hillocks on both the banks of the river,
right from Tezpur and Mikir hills to as far west as Dhubri, detached from the Meghalaya plateau
by the degradational work of the river. Assam valley covers the maximum geographical area of
the Brahmaputra Basin within the Indian teritory.
ii) North Bengal Plains: Though the northern and western fringes lying in Jalpaiguri and Darjeeling
encompass areas slightly above 150 m, Siliguri, Koch Behar and Jalpaiguri area of North Bengal
plains are primarily flat terrain.
iii) Eastern Himalaya (East): The Eastern Himalayan mountainous part covers the Arunachal
Pradesh, and Sikkim and Darjeeling district (excluding Siliguri sub-division) of West Bengal.This
region shows the highest elevation range of more than 6000m with snow capped ranges.
iv) Meghalaya-Mikir Region: This is geologically a part of the Deccan Plateau covering Meghalaya
and Karbi Anglong of Assam. The Garo Hills has an average elevation of 600 m or less. The Khasi
and Jaintia hills show elevation ranging upto 2000 m gradually slope down towards the
Brahmaputra valley and forms the sub-mountane region of the central Meghalaya. The Mikir
Hills is an isolated hill surrounded by plains on three sides.The Mikir Hills area has roughly a
northerly slope with the outer ranges having an average elevation of about 450 m. In the central
portion the average elevation is about 1000 m. The northern ranges which extend from Dabaka
(Nagaon Dist.; Assam) in the south-west to Bokakhat (Sibsagar Dist.) in the northeast have an
average elevation of 600 m. The southern ranges known as the Rengma Hills are higher with an
average elevation of about 900 m and extend from
v) Purvanchal: Brahmaputra basin part of this unit comprising of parts of Naga Hills (parts of
Nagaland), Tirap, Changlang, Anjaw and part of Lohit (Arunach Pradesh). The elevation increases
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Brahamaputra Basin
toward north-east and altitudinal range of 900 m -2100 m covering part of Naga Hills.Beyond
this, the height again decreases to less than 900 m in the western part of Tirap and Lohit
districts. But the eastern part of Lohit, Tirap and Changlang distrcts are marked with steep rise in
the altitude 3000-4000 m range. In the Nagaland, the Barail range, piercing from south-west via
North Cachar, runs upto Kohima with its highest peak, Japavo (2,970 m) lying to the south of the
town.
Table.3 is showing the elevation variation in the Brahmaputra basin. The elevation information of
the entire Brahmaputra basin has derived from the Digital Elevation Model (DEM) data of Shuttle
Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) with spatial resolution 90 m (Map 3).
The lowest elevation observed near Dhubri, where the Brahmaputra River turns south and enters
Bangladesh. Highest elevation of 8401 m is found in this basin. Maximum area of the plain region of
the Brahmaputra valley falls under the 10-50 and 50 -100 m elevation range.
Table 3. Elevation zones
Sl. No. Elevation (m) Area (Sq.km) % of Total Area
1 10-50 12652.13 6.51
2 50-100 33336.92 17.15
3 100-200 27506.95 14.15
4 200-300 9395.54 4.83
5 300-400 6830.18 3.51
6 400-500 5632.02 2.90
7 500-750 12474.23 6.42
8 750-1000 11422.02 5.88
9 1000-1500 17728.88 9.12
10 1500-2000 13803.78 7.10
11 2000-3000 19510.02 10.04
12 3000-4000 14454.62 7.44
13 4000-5000 7697.08 3.96
14 5000-6000 1795.26 0.92
15 6000< 173.36 0.09
Source: SRTM DEM
9

Brahamaputra Basin
10
Map 3. Elevation Zones

Brahamaputra Basin
1.3 Climate
The basin experiences four distinct seasons in a year : winter, summer, monsoon and autum/postmonsoon.
The winter season begins in December and continues to the end of February. In the high altitude
places of Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim, winter lasts longer-from November to March. Light northeasterly
winds blow down the Brahmaputra valley in Assam and light northerly to north westerly
winds in West Bengal. The weather is occasionally changed by the passage of western disturbances
across the region, light rainfall occurs in January and February along the hills, increasing towards
North-east Assam. Thunder storms are rare in December and January and occur only on one or two
days in February, these may occasionally be accompanied by a dust or hail storm.
From March onwards, the hot weather starts and continues up to the last week of May. In this
season the basin is under the sway of three air streams a deep north-westerly current from Uttar
Pradesh and Bihar, a shallow southerly stream from the head of the Bay of Bengal over the Orissa
and Bengal coasts, and a shallower current of North easterly to easterly winds from the
Brahmaputra valley blowing over the plains of North Bengal and Bihar. With the interactions
between these air streams, this is a season when marked instability develops in the atmosphere and
severe thunderstorms occur extensively, sometimes preceded by dust-raising squalls. Rainfall
increases both in amount and frequency as the season advances, being generally associated with
afternoon or evening thunderstorms and squalls. They are generally more concentrated in Upper
Assam. Hail storms occur on one to three days in the season, especially in the Assam hills. The
humidity is relatively high.
The monsoon sets in by the last week of May or in early June, being usually ushered in by a
depression in the Bay of Bengal. Subsequently, a series of such depressions, forming at the head of
the Bay and moving inland, give spells of continuous and moderate to heavy rain generally over the
region. July and August are the rainiest months. Almost all the rain in this season is associated with
thunder.
The monsoon withdraws in the last week of September or the first week of October. After the
withdrawal of the monsoon winds, light unsteady winds are experienced by the middle of October.
Occasionally, in October, cyclonic storms from the Bay cross the Bengal coast bringing clouds and
rain with them.The weather during the autumn remains very comfortable with relatively clear sky
and moderate temperature. On average these two months experience 3% to 6% of the average
annual rainfall.
1.3.1 Rainfall
The distribution of rainfall in the Brahmaputra basin is different at different parts of the basin.
Monsoon rains from June to September account for 60-70 % of the annual rainfall in the basin, while
the premonsoon season covering the period March through May produces 20-25 % of the annual
rainfall caused primarily by depressions moving from the west and by local convectional storms.
During the post-winter months, the north-east monsoon finds its way into the Brahmaputra valley
through a saddle in the high Himalayas, at their eastern end. The Assam range of hills gradually rises
in height eastward from 300 m in the Garo hills to about 3,000 m in the Naga Hills. The low clouds
brought in by the south-west monsoon get interrupted on the southern face of the Khasi and Jaintia
hills by a 1,830 m high ridge and cause extremely heavy rainfall along the Cherrapunji-Mawphlang-
11

Brahamaputra Basin
Pynursla belt. This is generally of the order of 11,000 mm per annum, the highest in the world. The
clouds that pass over these 1,830 m high mountain ridges of Garo and Khasi hills of Meghalaya enter
into the Brahmaputra basin and widespread rainfall takes place in the valleyand the mountain
reaches of Bhutan and Arunachal Pradesh. The rainfall in the Brahmaputra valley ranges from 2,125
mm in Kamrup to about 4,142 mm in Tirap Division of the Arunachal. The Lanka area in Nagaon
district on the north of the Khasi and Jaintia hillis lies in the rain shadow region and in consequence,
the annual rainfall there is only about 1,100 mm. The rainfall in the Teesta valley varies from 1,635
mm in West Dinajpur district to 3,945 mm in Jalpaiguri district. Intense rainfall activities triggered by
cloud burst occasionally cause devastating flash floods and landslides in the Brahmaputra valley
region.
A gradual increase of rainfall from the valley bottom towards the lower ranges followed by a
decrease towards the higher ranges is evident from the observed annual rainfall at Dibrugarh (285
cm) in the far eastern part of Assam valley, Pasighat (507 cm) in the foothills, and Tuting (274 cm)
further up in the Himalayas.
Map.4. is showing the annual average rainfall of the basin. It depicts that most of the hilly regions of
Brahmaputra basin experience more than 4000 mm rainfall. Whereas very few region received
rainfall less than 1200 mm. The rainfall distribution map is generated based on the gridded daily
Rainfall data of (0.5 x 0.5°) for 35 years (1971-2005). The average annual rainfall is 2371.21 mm. The
basin is not affected by drought (Source: Drought Prone Areas Program, DPAP, MoRD, 2002).
1.3.2 Temperature
Monthly average Temperature (36 Years, 1969-2004) is shown in the Figure 3. The minimum and
maximum temperature of the basin is 16.16°C and 38.79°C respectively during that period. During
the winter season in December to January; the minimum temperature over the Basin varies from
16.16°C to 17.56°C. In the rainy season, in the month of July, the mean temperature varies from
32.47°C to 36.17°C. Towards the end of the monsoon season, in the month of October, the
temperature over the basin varies from 29.23.0°C to 34.91°C. During the summer season in April and
May, the minimum temperature in the Basin varies from 25.67°C to 27.21°C.
The higher elevation zones of the Himalayan ranges (Arunachal and Sikkim) experience lower
temperatures than the other regions of the basin. These parts also experiences snowfall. The
western part of the Brahmaputra valley experience hot summer in April and May. During summer,
the average maximum temperature in this part of the basin remains above 35°C, whereas the
maximum temperature is 40°C. In the south of the Brahmaputra valley the Southern (Assam)
mountainous region, temperature drops down below the freezing point in some days of December
and January in high altitude places. Most of these places above 1,500 m experience ground frost in
peak winter month but doesnot experience any snowfall.
Rainfall (1971-2004) and Temperature (1969-2004) profile in the basin is tabulated in Annexure II:A
& Annexure II:B .
12

Brahamaputra Basin
Rainfall in mm
1,200 - 1,400
1,400 - 1,600
1,600 - 2,000
2,000 - 2,500
2,500 - 3,000
3,000 - 4,000
4,000 - 5,000
5,000 - 6,000
> 6,000
13
Map 4. Annual average rainfall

Brahamaputra Basin
Figure 2. Monthly average temperature (1969-2004)
1.3.3 Trends and variability
Trends have been generated based on area weighted average and regression analysis techniques.
Figure 2 shows the variability of annual average rainfall of Brahmaputra basin over the last 34 years
(1971-2004). The general rainfall trend in the basin shows that rainfall pattern in the basin
decreasing. But the changing trend is not drastic. In 1974, the Brahmaputra upper sub basin
experiences maximum 4947.54 mm rainfall which is followed by 4051.94 mm rainfall in 1985. The
Brahmaputra upper sub basin accounts least rainfall of 1776.57 mm in the year 1989. The maximum
fall in the temperature observed in the Brahmaputra lower sub basin with 1720.65 mm in the year
1992.
Figure 3. Trend of annual average rainfall (1971-2004)
14

Brahamaputra Basin
1.4 Major rivers
The course of the Brahmaputra River can be divided into three reaches: Upper, middle, and lower. In
the upper reaches, the river is fed by the glaciers and in the lower reaches it is joined by a number of
tributaries.The three reaches are described briefly below:
a) Upper Reach: In its upper reach, the river flows 1,625 km from the source to the Indo- China
border through Tibetan plateau, mainly in the east direction almost parallel to the Himalayan
mountains and north thereof. In Tibet it is known as “Tsangpo”. After flowing for 80 km in an
easterly direction, Tsangpo meets two big rivers, viz; Mayum Chu and Chema Yung Dung.In the
eastern part of the Tibetan plateau, the Tsangpo River takes a hairpin bend around the Namcha
Barwa mountain ranges. Tsangpo arrives at the Indo-China border near Monku at an elevation of
660 m and flows for 5 km as the international boundary to arrive at Kobo in Arunachal Pradesh,
India. It enters India flowing south and is known as the Siang River. Upto this reach, the major
tributaries joining the Tsangpo are the Shap Chu, Nayang Chu, Rang Chu, Yarling Chu, Tong Chu,
Shang Chu, Kyi Chu and Po- Tsangpo.
b) Middle Reach: In the middle reach Brahmaputra, from the Indo China border to the Indo-
Bangladesh border, Brahmaputra flows 916 km through India.In Arunachal Pradesh the river is
known as Siang in the upper reach and Dihang in the lower reach. The river then flows almost in
Southern direction for another distance of about 226 km from the Indo-China border upto Passighat.
Dihang River enters into the plains of Assam at Kobo where it meets two major trans-Himalayan
tributaries, Dibong and Lohit, coming from northeast and east, respectively. The combined flow,
hereafter called the Brahmaputra, flows westward through Assam until near Dhubri, where it
abruptly turns south and enters Bangladesh and then falling into the Bay of Bengal. The river is
highly braided due to its low gradient. As a result, there are innumerable riverain islands.
˚E), the former biggest river island of the world,is the most
remarkable feature of the valley reach of the Brahmaputra.Owing to active bank erosion, the area of
the island has reduced from 1300 Sq.km as in 1950 to 900 Sq.km at present.
The river Brahmaputra receives a number of tributaries at its north and south banks (Map 2), in the
catchment area in India. Northern tributaries also receive considerable contribution from snow in
higher ranges of the Himalayas with peak contribution commences in August.The major tributaries
are as follows:
Tributaries from North bank: The Subansiri, the Manas, the Ranganadi, the Borgong, the Jiadhal,
the Sankosh, the Siang, the Kameng (Jiabharali in Assam), the Dhansiri (North), the Puthimari, the
Pagladiya, the Champamati, the Saralbhanga, the Aie and theSankosh.
Tributaries from South bank: The Noa Dehing, the Buridehing, the Debang, the Dikhow, the
Dhansiri, the Kopili, the Digaru, the Dudhnai, and the Krishnai.
The characteristics of the North bank tributaries are quite different than those of the south bank
tributaries. The north bank tributaries are flashy and flow through steepslopes.These rivers carry
heavy silt charge thus forming shallow braided channels, and coarsesandy beds. Rainfall in the north
bank tributary basin is much higher and the catchment areas of north bank tributaries are also much
bigger than the south bank tributaries. The South bank tributaries have flatter grades, deep
meandering channels, fine alluvial soils and comparatively low silt charge.
15

Brahamaputra Basin
The lengths of the major rivers draining in Brahmaputra Basin draining within the Indian teritory are
listed in the Table 4.
Table 4. Length of major rivers
North bank tributaries
South bank tributaries
Sl. NO. River Name Length (km) Sl.NO. River Name
Length
(km)
1 Subansiri 347.84 1 Dibru 108.20
2 Kameng (Jiabharali) 205.72 2 Buri-Dihing 236.12
3 Ranganadi 136.19 3 Disang 208.5
4 Puthimari 104.73 4 Dikhow 239.67
5 Pagladiya 119.98 5 Jhanji 155.29
6 Buri Dihing 214.14 6 Dhansiri 395.98
7 Teesta 270.59 7 Kopili 256.95
8 Jaldhaka 174.06 8 Kulsi 137.66
9 Torsa 106.85 9 Krishnai 98.55
10 Champamati 104.84 10 Jinjiram 89.86
11 Noa Dehing 168.03
*GIS calculated length
c) Lower Reach: It covers the lower portion of the river for a length of 337 km from the Indo-
Bangladesh border to its outfall into the Bay of Bengal.The whole portion of the lower reach of the
river falls within Bangladesh.Near the Indo-Bangladesh border, the Brahmaputra River takes a turn
towards south and flows mostly in the southern direction with a little eastward trend. The river
flows 225 km from the Indo-Bangladesh border upto Goalundo. In the reach from the confluence of
the Teesta River near Bahadurabad to Goalundo, the Brahmaputra River is known as Jamuna. At
Goalundo, the Brahmaputra (Jamuna) joins another major river, Ganges-Padma, coming from west
and the combined river flows as Ganga-Padma for 80 km. Near Rajabari, another major tributary
Meghna coming from north-east joins it and the combined river flows for 32 km as Meghna River. A
little down stream, the Meghna River trifurcates in three channels forming a delta. The three
channels are: Sandwip (the east channel), Shahbaz (the central), and Tutulia (the western channel).
These channels ultimately outfall into the Bay of Bengal forming broad estuaries.Practically, there is
no notable tributary on its east (left) bank, except the Meghna River.Important tributaries on its
right bank are Ridak, Jaldhaka (Dharla), Teesta and Torsa.
The important tributaries of Brahmaputra, lying in Indian Territory, are described below:
(i) Subansiri: Subansiri is among the largest tributaries of the Brahmaputra. It is a snowfed
perennial trans-Himalayan river rises in the mountains of Tibet. In India, the river drain 347.84
km and the rest part falls in Tibet. It drains an area of 37,700 Sq.km. Subansiri has a maximum
discharge of 18,799 cumec and minimum of 131 cumec. It contributes 7.92% of the total yield
of the Brahmaputra.
(ii) Kameng (Jiabharali): The Kameng rises from the hills of the Himalayas presumably in the
territory of Tibet beyond the Aka & Duffa Hills. The river Kameng flows for 55 km in south
westerly direction and then reaches Bhalukpong where it ends its hilly journey. The river is
nearly 205.72 km long.
16

Brahamaputra Basin
(iii) Dhansiri: The Dhansiri rises in the south west corner of Nagaland below the Laishiang peak.
From its source upto Dimapur, the Dhansiri forms the boundary between the districts of
Cachar, Nagaon and Nagaland. Beyond Dimapur, the river enters and flows through the Karbi-
Along and Golaghat districts of Assam.
(iv) Buri-Dihing: The Buri-Dehing is formed by the confluence of the Namphuk and the Namchik,
which rises from the Patkai ranges and the Maganton River which is the southern branch of the
Noadehing. The Namphuk which may be considered the principal source of the Buridehing.
(v) Kopili: The Kopili is one of the important major tributaries of the Brahmaputra on its left
bank. It originates in the Saipong Reserve Forest situated in south east of Meghalaya and passes
through the borders of Meghalaya, North Cachar hills and karbi anglong and enters the plains in
Nagaon district of Assam and finally joins the Brahmaputra at Kopilimukh. Its total length is 258
km of which 78 km form the common border of Meghalaya and Assam and the remaining 180
km lie in Assam.
(vi) Manas: The River enters into plains of Assam near Mathanguri and flows through Manas
reserve forest. At Mathanguri, this river bifurcates into two branches, the eastern branch is
known as Beki and western branch is known as Manas. The river Manas meets the river
Brahmaputra near Jogighopa. Manas total catchment area is about 37,500 Sq.km. It contributes
5.48 % of the total discharge of Brahmaputra.
(vii) Sankosh: Sankosh is another big river which contributes 2.81 % of the total discharge of the
Brahmaputra.
(viii) Jaldhaka: The Jaldhaka has its origin in Sikkim. It traverses a total distance of 186 km
passing through Bhutan, Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri and Koch Behar districts of West Bengal, before
finally joining Brahmaputra near Kurigram district of Bangladesh. The Murti and the Diana are
its main tributaries.
(ix) Torsa: The Torsa originates from the Chumbi valley of Tibet where it is called Machu. Its
upper reach falls in the territory of Bhutan. It enters Indian Territory near Phuentsholling after
travelling about 70 km in China and 78 km in Bhutan. It then flows through the districts of
jalpaiguri and Koch Behar in West Bengal and joins Brahmaputra in Bangladesh. The length of
the river from its origin to Ghughumari (Koch Behar) is 222 km having a total catchment area of
about 4530 Sq.km. Therafter, it meets Raidak-I. In India it flows for a distance of 108 km.
(x) Teesta: The Teesta is the largest river of North Bengal. It rises in the Himalayas in North
Sikkim. Running through narrow gorges for nearly 138 km, it debouches into the plains of the
Jalpaiguri district at sevoke. It flows in a steady course upto Jalpaiguri town beyond which it
records frequent changes. It has a drainage area of 12,540 Sq.km of which 3,017 Sq.km lies in
North Bengal. It joins the Brahmaputra near Rangpur town in Bangladesh.
17

Brahamaputra Basin
1.5 Land use/land cover
Land cover is the physical coverage on earth system i.e. forest, natural waterbodies etc.whereas land
use is anthropogenic in sense that how people use that land.
The commonly observed components of the land surface of the Brahmaputra basin are the forest
cover, crop fields, grazing land, tea plantations, and water logged swampy areas/wetlands with a
huge network of tributaries. The landuse/ land cover map of Brahmaputra basin is shown in Map
5.depicting the landuse/ land cover scenario of the basin for the year 2005-06; mapped using the IRS
Resourcesat-1, LISS III satellite data. The important landuse classes of this basin are:
a) Builtup: Builtup land covers 1.63 % of the basin. Majority of the builtup areas are rural
settlement. Few mining areas are also spotted.
b) Crop/ Agricultural land: Agricultural land (both standing crop + present fallow) accounts 25.91
% of the total area. Agriculture is basically rainfed.
• The Kharif Rice crop is the predominant crop in the basin. Most of the agriculture fields
found lying in the plain areas of Assam, Meghalaya and West Bengal.
• Riverbed cultivation in the large ‘Char’/Island areas of Brahmaputra River is also
observed along whole course of the river in the lowland.
• Jhum/ Shifting cultivation is the main form of agriculture in the hills and foot hill regions
of the basin practised in varied scale covering 0.69 % area of the basin.
• Large patches of Tea gardens observedmost commonly in the Upper Assam part
(Dibrugarh, Tinsukia, Sibsagar, Golaghar, and Tezpur), Cachar, Silchar, Jalpaiguri and
Darjeling region.This class covers 2.48 % of the total basin area.
c) Forest: The major part of basin is covered with forest accounting to 55.48 % of the total area.
• Most common vegetation of Brahmaputra valley and the low elevation adjoining hills is
the‘deciduous forest’accounting 23.32 % of the basin.
• Evergreen forests in this basin include both coniferous and tropical broad leaved
evergreen species. Semi evergreen forest includes a combination of evergreen and
deciduous species with the former dominating the canopy.This broad class ‘evergreen
and semi-evergreen’forest type is found in the hilly districts of Arunachal Pradesh,
Sikkim, in the frontier districts of Assam (Lakhimpur, Sibsagar and Cachar) in a more or
less continuous narrow belt along the foot of the Himalayas, covering 33.30 % of the
Basin.
• ‘Scrub forest’ in the basin found located on hill/ mountain slopes and some places at
the fringes of dense forest cover.
• Few patches of the forest plantation are also observed.
d) Grass/grazing lands: Grasslands are also commonly observed accounting 4.39 % of the basin.
• Short grass/grazing landfound close to river/ stream, swampy wetlands and hilly slopes.
• The alpine grass/grazing lands are observedin the highaltitude Himalayan range of
Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim between the evergreen forest and permanent snow
covered areas.
e) Wasteland: Wasteland class covers 5.20 % of the basin.
• Large cover of Scrub lands are observed in the moderate slopes in the plain and foot hills of
Tawang, East & West Kameng, Karbi Anglong and the North Cachar hills district of the basin.
• Few barren, rocky wasteland regions are also observed in the basin.
18

Brahamaputra Basin
• Gullied and ravenous waste lands are found associated with stream courses of the
Brahmaputra and its major tributaries.
f) Waterbodies: Approx. 6 % of the basin is covered by river and waterbodies.
• The river Brahmaputra and its tributaries have the major contribution to this land cover
class.
• Lots of wetlands (lakes) and oxbow lakes of considerable size are spotted in the
Brahmaputra valley region.
g) Snow: The high elevated upper mountainous portion of Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim is under
the Snow/Glaciers cover accounting 1.6 % of the basin.
The statistics of LEVEL-I landuse/land cover classification of the Brahmaputra basin is shown below
in the Table.4.
1.6 Soils
Table 5. Land use/ Land cover statistics (2005-06)
Sl.No Category Area (Sq. km) % of Total Area
1 Built Up Land 3162.58 1.63
2 Agricultural 50374.57 25.91
3 Forest 107854.27 55.48
4 Grassland 8531.46 4.39
5 Wasteland 10117.28 5.20
6 Waterbodies 11265.77 5.79
7 Snow / Glaciers 3107.07 1.60
Source: India-WRIS
The most predominant soil type found in the basin is the red loamy soil and alluvial soil. Other
important soil types are sandy, loamy, clayey soils, their combinations and laterite soils. The alluvium
derived soils of the Brahmaputra valley have been grouped into new and old alluvium and forest
soils. The upland soils are more developed due to the origin of the alluvium in Pleistocene age,
whereas other soils are less developed due to their origin on younger alluvium.
The available information on soil survey conducted in the basin indicates that red loamy soils are
predominant in the Kameng, Subansiri, Siang, Lohit and Tirap districts of Arunachal Pradesh. Few
places with alluvial and laterite soil is also reported in this region. The Mokokchung, Tuensang and
Kohima region of Nagaland is predominated by red Loam, loams to fairly heavy clay soils.The
Brahmaputra valley of Assam is predominated by the new alluvium soil, sandy to clay loamy soil.In
the North Cachar and Mikir hills red loam and laterial soil is found. The principal soil types of Garo,
Jaintia and Khasi Hills of Meghalaya are Laterite, new alluvium, heavy clay, loamy silt and fine
silt.Koch Behar region of West Bengal is predominated by Alluvium, sand, light loam and black loam.
Soil type of Jalpaiguri and Darjeeling is basically Terai (alluvium of sandy loam) soils.
The cultivable area of the sub-basin is about 12.15 M. ha which is 6.2 % of the culturable area of the
country.
19

Brahamaputra Basin Report
21-12-2013
www.india-wris.nrsc.gov.in 20
Map 5. Land use/ land cover (2005-06)

Brahamaputra Basin
1.7 Agro-climatic zones
Agro-climatic zone is a land unit in terms of major climate, superimposed on length of growing
period (moisture availability period) (FAO, 1983).
Agro-climatic Zones of Brahmaputra Basin: For resource development, the country has been
broadly divided into 15 agricultural regions based on agro climatic features particularly soil type,
climate including temperature and rainfall and its variation and water resources availability. Agro
climatic zone map of Brahmaputra basin are shown in Map 6.
The entire Brahmaputra basin falls in the Eastern Himalayan agro-climatic zone (Planning
commission, 1989) and climatic pattern of this region is characterized by the high rainfall, high forest
covers, heavy soil erosion and Floods (Brahmaputra Valley) etc. The Eastern Himalayan agro-climatic
zone includes Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, Tripura,
West Bengal (Hilly region). The climate varies from tropical in the plains to Alpine in the high hills.
Nearly a third of the cultivation is of the shifting (jhum) type. Majority of population is dependent on
agriculture and allied land based activities. Shifting cultivation is traditional agricultural practice. In
West Bengal Darjiling and the further northern territory of Sikkim, the soil is brown hilly. In Karbi
Anglong and Cachar Hills in Assam and the entire territories of Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland and
Meghalaya, the soil is classified red sandy to laterite. In the most populous part of Assam which
covers the districts of Barpeta, Dhubri, Nagaon, Darrang, Kamrup, Goalpara, Kokrajhar and Sonitpur,
the soil is alluvial, red loamy and terrai. In the Upper Brahmaputra valley comprising of the districts
of Lakhimpur, Sibsagar, Cachar, Dibrughar, Jorhat and Karimganj in Assam and Jalpaiguri & Koch
Behar in West Bengal, the soil is alluvial and red loamy. The climate of the zone is per humid to
humid. Himalayan Hills Region receives 2,700 mm of rainfall in a year. North East Hills Region
receives copious rains of about 3,528 mm in a year. Southern Hills Region receives 2,052 mm of
rains while Lower Brahmaputra receives 1,840 mm of rains. Upper Brahmaputra Region receives
rains of 2,800 mm per annum.
1.8 Agro-ecological zones
An agro-ecological zone is the land unit carved out of agro-climatic zone superimposed on landform
which acts as modifier to climate and length of growing period.
Agro–ecological Zones of Brahmaputra basin: Based on 50 years of climate data and available soil
database, the country has been divided into 20 agro-ecological zones (AEZs). Each AEZ is as uniform
as possible in terms of physiography, climate, length of growing period and soil type for macrolevel
land-use planning and effective transfer of technology. Agro-ecological zones of Brahmaputra Basin
are shown in the Map 7.
Most of the upper Brahmaputra sub basin area falls in the ‘Warm perhumid ecoregion with brown
and red hill soils’. The Brahmaputra Valley area is dominating by ‘Hot subhumid (moist) to humid
(inclusion of perhumid) eco-regions with alluvial-derived soils’. The lowermost part of the basin is
falling in the ‘Warm perhumid eco-region with red and lateritic soils ‘. Salient features of these Agroecological
Zones are:
i) Warm perhumid ecoregion with brown and red hill soils (Agro-ecoregion - 17): Physiologically
these are parts of the Eastern Himalayan range. States and Districts under this ecoregion area)
Arunachal Pradesh - Tirap district
www.india-wris.nrsc.gov.in
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Brahamaputra Basin
b) Assam - Dispur, northern Cachar hills and Karbi Anglong districts.
c) Meghalaya - Eastern and western garo Hills, Jaintia Hills and eastern and western Khasi
hills.
d) Nagaland -Kohima, Mon, Mokokchung, Phek, Tuensang, Wokha and Zunheboto districts
The agro-climate of the region is characterised by warm summers and cool winters. The mean
annual precipitation varies from 2000 to 3000 mm which exceeds the PET demand in most of the
months in a year, excepting the period of seasonal deficit. Length of growing period > 270 days.The
area represents Udic soil moisture regime. The soil temperature regime varies from Hyperthermic in
valleys to Thermic in higher topographic positions.The major soil formations in the area include
shallow to deep, loamy, red and lateritic and red and yellow soils.The natural vegetation comprises
wet evergreen and tropical moist deciduous forests. Jhum cultivation is common.Other major crops
cultivated in this region are Rice, millets, potato, maize and sesame. Hilly terraces are used for
plantation crops, such as tea, coffee, rubber and horticulture crops, like oranges, pineapple, etc.
ii) Hot subhumid (moist) to humid (inclusion of perhumid) eco-regions with alluvial-derived soils
(Agro-ecoregion - 15): Physiologically these agro-ecoregion comprising the plains pf the
Brahmaputra River, covering parts of the States of Assam and West Bengal including the
southern pockets of assam. States and districts under this ecoregion area.
Assam - Cachar (Silchar), Darrang, Dibrugarh, Dhubri, Golaghat, Goalpara, Jorhat,
Kamrup, Karimganj, non-tarai parts of Kokrajhar, Barpeta and Nalbari, Lakhimpur
(north), Nalbari, Sibsagar and Sonitpur districs.
b. West Bengal - Jalpaiguri (non-Tarai parts), Kochbehar.
The climate of the area is characterised by hot summers and mild to moderately cool winters. The
mean annual rainfall ranges from 1400-2000 mm, potential evapotranspiration is 1000–1400 mm.
The length of growing period (LPG) > 210 days. The soil moisture and temperature regimes are udicustic
(to Udic) and Hyperthermis, respectively. The common soil-scapes of the area are represented
by level to very gently sloping Haplaquepts, Haplaqualfs, Dystrochrepts, Eutrochrepts, Fluvaquents,
and Hapludalfs.The natural vegetation comprises tropical moist and dry deciduous forests. In view of
the high rainfall, the cropping system is rice based. The main crops of rainy season (Kharif) grown
under rainfed condition are rice and jute.In northern foothills of eastern Himalayas, plantation crops,
such as tea and horticultural cropslike pineapple, citrus and banana are grown under favourable
climatic conditions. Rice, jute, pulses, oilseeds (mustard) are grown on storesd/residual soil moisture
in Rabi season.
iii) Warm perhumid ecoregion with red and lateritic soils (Agro-ecoregion - 16): Physiologically
the eastern Himalayan agro-ecoregion encompasses northern hilly parts of West Bengal,
northern parts of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim states. The region occupies an area of
9.6 M. ha, represensting 2.9% of the total geographical area of the country. States and Districts
under this ecoregion area)
Arunachal Pradesh - Dibang Valley, eastern and western parts of Kameng, Lohit, easten
Siang, western Siang, lower and upper subansiri districts.
b) Assam -Tarai parts of Barpeta, Darrang, Kokrajhar and Nalbari districts.
c) Sikkim - Eastern and western parts of Sikkim.
d) West Bengal - Darjeeling and Tarai part of Jalpaiguri districts.
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Brahamaputra Basin
The climate of the region is characterised by warm summers and cool winters. The mean annual
precipitation exceeds 2000 mm per annum. The area experiences short period of water stress during
post-rainy period because of seasonal water deficit. The region has the longest LPG > 270 days in a
year. The region is typified by Udic soil moisture regime. Potential evapotranspiration (PET) is 1000–
1100 mm. The soil temperature regime in the higher topography (> 1500 m) is Thermic, while on
higher elevations (>3000 m) it is, in general, Mesic in most of Darjeeling, Sikkim Himalayas and
Arunachal Pradesh. The lower elements of topography, like valley have Hyperthermic soil
temperature regime.The dominant soils in the region, vary from shallow to moderately shallow,
loamy, Brown Forests to deep, organic matter rich soils with moderate to low base status. The
natural vegetation comprises subtropical pine forest and temperatate wer evergreen forests,
subalpine forest, etc. Jhum cultivation is traditionally practised in this region.Another type of
traditional practice is the cultivation of millets on upland terraces and potato, maize, millets and
paddy in valley.In the hilly areas, vegetables and plantation crops are also grown on terraces.
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Brahamaputra Basin
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Map 6. Agro-climatic zones
24

Brahamaputra Basin
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Map 7. Agro-ecological zones

Brahamaputra Basin
1.9 Demography
The basin spreads over 22 parliamentary constituencies (2009) comprising 12 of Assam, 4 of West
Bengal, 2 of Arunachal Pradesh, 2 of Meghalaya, 1 of Sikkim and 1 of Nagaland (Annexure I:B). The
total no. of villages falling in the basin is 20,050 with 33,72,532 no. of households (Annexure III:A).
The total population in this basin is 1,77,18,190 (Census,2001). The plain region (the Brahmaputra
valley) is densely populated in comparision to the hilly region of this basin. This valley represents the
most urbanized and industrialized part of the basin. The district-wise population distribution of
Brahmaputra Basin is shown in Map 8 (as per Census data 2001). It depicts that the Kooch Behar,
Dhubri, Nagaon, Kamrup and Jalpaiguri have more population density compared to the other
districts of this Basin. At the other extreme, Dibang Valley district with total population of 8,004 is
summarised as the least populated district of this basin. Interesting fact come out from the 2011
census is that the Kurung Kumey, the hilly district of Arunachal Pradesh has the max. sex ratio with
1032 females to 1000 males. East Kameng, Jaintia Hills and East Khasi Hills also show high sex ratio
which may be because of the women headed family custom in the hilly states of Northeast region of
India.The region has a high concentration of tribal population. Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya,
Mizoram and Nagaland are mostly inhabited by more than 100 native tribes. Jalpaiguri and East
Khasi Hills accounts the maximum schedule tribe population of total 1,54,894 and 1,26,725
respectively (as per 2011 Census).
Largest cities of this basin, according to population of census 2011 are Guwahati, Shillong, Silchar,
Dibrugarh, Nagaon, Jorhat, Dimapur, Darjeeling, Gangtok and Kohima. The literacy rate in this basin
is 53.05 % (Census, 2001). Mokokchung and Kamrup Metropolitan are the 1st and the 2nd highly
ranked literate districts with 91.62 % and 88.71 % rates respectively (2011 Census).
This region constitutes a single linguistic region with about 220 languages. Assamiya/ Assamese is
spoken mostly in the Brahmaputra Valley of Assam. Nepali language is dominant in Sikkim, besides
Sikkimese. The main languages spoken in Meghalaya part include Khasi, Pnar & Garo. Main
languages of the people of Nagaland are English, Ao, Chang, Konyak etc. In Arunachal Pradesh Adi,
Aka, Apatani, Sherdukpen, and Bangni are spoken. Bengali is mostly spoken in Kochbehar and
Jalpaiguri region of West Bengal.
Majority of population is dependent on agriculture and allied land based activities. Shifting
cultivation (slashe and burn agriculture) is still the chief means of livelihood of tribal people. Assam
is famous for the production of tea covering a huge part of the international market. Jute, petroleum
products, paper, fertilizers, drugs and pharmaceuticals are other important industries in the Basin.
Brahmaputra basin is also rich in mineral resource especially the Brahmaputra valley. Petroleum is
found in Digboi, Naharkotiya, Hugrijan, Moran, Lakwa, Rudrasagar and Galiki. The main coal fields
are found in the Garo, Jaintia and Khasi Hills in Meghalay, Nazira-Borjan, Namchik, Longloi area of
Mikir Hills and Makum in Assam. Lime stone is found in the Garo, Khasi, Jaintia and Mikir Hills.
Brahmaputra basin is well connected with the other part of the country. The basin is served by the
North-East Frontier Railway. Other National, State, and district highways are means of road
connectivity. Traditionally Inland navigation is very popular in this region.
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Map 8. Population density

Brahamaputra Basin
2. Hydrological units
2.1 Sub-basins
The Brahmaputra Basin is further divided into two major sub basins- Brahmaputra Upper and
Brahmaputra Lower sub basin, as shown in Map 2. Contributing Percentage drainage area of each
sub basin is given in Figure 4. Subansiri, Buri Dihing, Dihang, Dhansiri, Diyung, Neo Dihing, Lohit,
Dibang, Disai, Disang, Jhanzi, Dikrang, Dikhow are some major tributaries contributing to the Upper
Brahmaputra sub basin. The upper Brahmaputra sub basin is larger than the lower Brahmaputra sub
basin which covers 98,972.87 Sq.km of geographical area as shown in Table 6.
Lower Brahmaputra sub basin covers about 87,392.22 Sq.km. of the total geographical area of the
Basin. Major tributaries contributing to the Lower Brahmaputra sub basin are Teesta, Kopilli,
Jaldhaka, Kameng, Torsa, Kalung, Jinjimm, Kulsi, Sonai, Manas, Umiam, Champamati, Digaru etc.
2.2 Watersheds
Figure 4. Sub-basins and percent drainage area
There are 180 watersheds in the Brahmaputra basin. The Brahmaputra Upper and the Lower Sub
Basin compromised of 97 and 83 Watersheds respectively (Map 9a & 9b). Number of watersheds
and their size ranges are given in Table 6.
Table 6. Sub-basin wise watersheds
Sl.no. Sub Basin Area (Sq. km.) Size Range of Watershed No. of Watersheds
1 Brahmaputra Lower 87392.22 429.01 - 1490.01 83
2 Brahmaputra Upper 98972.87 488.58 - 1473.03 97
Source: India-WRIS
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Brahamaputra Basin
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Map 9a. Brahmaputra Upper Sub-basin and watersheds

Brahamaputra Basin
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Brahamaputra Basin
3. Surface water resources
The Brahmaputra and its tributaries carry more than 30% of the total water resources potential of
the country. Besides, this region has the highest per capita and per hectare availability of water in
the country. The Average annual water potential and the Utilizable Surface Water of the Basin are
537.24 BMC and 24BCM respectively.
3.1 Surface waterbodies
Surface water bodies have traditionally played an important role in Brahmaputra basin used for
irrigation, drinking water supply, navigation and other domestic uses. But water bodies (total
number, capacity as well as quality) are decreasing day by day due to mainly siltation and disposal of
untreated waste in that waterbodies.
The basin is blessed with optimal amount of rainfall. Storage of water in pond both in the settlement
and agricultural fields is the own water saving/storing strategy of the local population of this basin. It
is observed that there are sufficient number of pond in thisregion followed by lakes which is
generally used for fish cultivation and agricultural activity. Most of the waterbodies in the basin is
less than 25 ha. A detail of water bodies according to their water spread area is given in Table 7.
The floodplains of the Brahmaputra, is dotted with a large number of wetlands. This undrained
depressions, generally known as ‘Bils/ Beels’ or beels (lakes), possess tremendous ecological
significance as unique habitats for an exquisite variety of flora and fauna.These beels function as
flood water retention basins and traditional fisheries. They have importance for the groundwater
recharge also. Important wetlands of the Brahmaputra basin are - Deepar Beel, Sola Beels (Saru Sola
& Bor Sola), Chandubi Lake etc. Most of the wetlands are now in degraded condition while a
considerable number have been totally destroyed due to siltation, eutrophication, harmful land use
practices and encroachment for settlement, construction of roads, railways, embankments etc.
Oxbow lakes generated from the abandoned channels/ channel cut-offs covers is very frequent in
this basin. Considerable 5.86% of the total surface water of Brahmaputra basin is covered by this
class. Several large reservoirs of considerable size have also been constructed in the Brahmaputra
Basin associated with the dams and barrages. Some large reservoirs of this basin are - Umium,
Subansiri Lower, Ranganadi, Doyang etc.
Table 7. Number and size of waterbodies
Sl. No. Size Range (ha) No. of Waterbodies
1 0 - 25 15766
2 25 - 50 174
3 50 - 100 57
4 100 - 250 28
5 250 - 500 5
6 500 - 1000 5
7 1000 - 2500 2
8 More than 2500 0
Source: India-WRIS
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Brahamaputra Basin
3.2 Water resource projects
Figure 5. Type and number of waterbodies
Prior to independence, little thought was given towards water resources development in
Brahmaputra valley. In the Brahmaputra Basin the development of irrigation so far has been mostly
through minor irrigation works such as small diversion works near the foothills to feed irrigation
channels, lift irrigation schemes from rivers and streams in the hill region, tanks, and a few wells and
tube wells. The total live storage capacity of projects and the live storage capacity of completed
projects in this basin are 11.68 BCM & 2.326 BCM respectively (Combined with Barak & others
basin). The distribution of the water resources projects of Brahmaputra basin are listed in the Table
8.
Table 8. Number of water resources projects
Sl. No. Type of Projects Number of Projects
1 Major Irrigation Projects 8
2 Medium Irrigation Projects 14
3 ERM Projects 3
4 Hydro-Electric Projects 17
3.2.1 Major and medium irrigation projects
Source: India-WRIS
Brahmaputra basin spreads over states of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, West Bengal, Meghalaya,
Nagaland and Sikkim. The state wise status of the development of the water resources projects of
this basin are described below:
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Major and Medium Irrigation Projects of West Bengal:
The development of the irrigation in West Bengal forming part of the Brahmaputra basin is slow.
Only one medium project, namely the Karatowa project was taken up in 1957 to benefit an area of
8.90 Th.ha in the Jalpaiguri district. The project was completed in 1969. Teesta Barrage St - I, St - I Ph
-I is the major Irrigation Project of West Bengal whose command area is falling in both the
Brahmaputra and Ganga. This project is approved by Planning Commission in 1975.
a) Teesta Barrage St-I, Ph-I Subphase I Project (West Bengal): The Teesta barrage project
St-I, Phase-I Subphase I envisages the creation of irrigation potential of 527 Th.ha in six
northern districts namely Darjeeling, Malda, Kochbihar, Jalpaiguri, North Dinajpur and
South Dinajpur. Teesta barrage across river Teesta at Gazoldaba in Jalpaiguri district,
Mahananda barrage at Fulbari in Jalpaiguri district and Dauk barrage across river Dauk at
Chopra in Uttar Dinajpur district are the three barrages associated with this irrigation
scheme. CCA of this project is estimated as 342.30 Th.ha.
Major and Medium Irrigation Projects of Assam:
It was only in the later part of the III th 5 year plan some major and medium Irrigation schemes were
undertaken in Assam.At present, major Irrigation projects completed in Assam are namely - Sukla,
Jamuna and Bordikarai Major Irrigation Project. Other major ongoing projects of Assam falling in
Brahmaputra basin are - Dhanisiri Project, Pagladiya and Champamati Irrigation Project. Medium
irrigation projects of Assam include- Kaldiya, Dikharu, Harguti, Longa, Borolia, Pahumara, Bhumki,
Rupahi, and Dekadong irrigation project.
The salient features of these projects are given below:
b) Jamuna Irrigation Project: The Jamuna Irrigation Scheme, the first major irrigation
project of Assam, was commissioned in the year 1969 for providing irrigation facilities to
the command area spread over Karbi-Anglong and Nagaon districts of Assam. GCA, CCA
and annual irrigation of the project are 33.48, 27.7 and 41.01 Th.ha of area respectively.
c) Sukla Irrigation Project: The scheme envisages construction of a weir on the river Sukla
near Naokota in Kamrup district of Assam. The project was commissioned during 1965
and completed in 1978. GCA, CCA and annual irrigation of the project are 22.842, 16.8
and 27.4 Th.ha respectively.
d) Dhanisiri Major Project: This is mainly an Irrigation Project, but it was subsequently
decided to take advantage of the five canal falls to install five powerhouses of 4 MW
each. The project envisages construction of 160 m long diversion barrage at
Bhairabkunda and the main canal takes off from right bank of the barrage. The total
potential created upto March 2011 is 41258 ha against the ultimate irrigation potential
of 83,366 ha.
e) Pagladiya Major Irrigation Project: The project involves construction of an earthen dam
of 26m height over Pagladiya River, a tributary of Brahmaputra, at Thalkuchi village in
Nalbari District of Assam. Pagladia dam project is essentially a flood control and
irrigation project with incidental hydropower generated from the canal release. The
Pagladiya River has been responsible for recurrent floods in the north bank of the
Brahmaputra. Benefits from Pagladiya dam include flood moderation in 40,000 ha area,
annual irrigation benefits to 54,160 ha and incidental power generation by a plant of 3
MW capacities.
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Brahamaputra Basin
f) Champamati Irrigation Project: The Champamati Irrigation Project envisages
construction of a barrage across the river Champamati, a northern tributary of the river
Brahmputra at Nanagdolbari near Gurubhasa in Chirag District to provide irrigation to an
area of 24,994 ha annually. Districts Benefitted from this scheme is Kokrajhar. GCA, CCA
and annual irrigation of the project are 30 Th.ha, 17.41 Th.ha and 24.99 Th.ha
respectively.
g) Bordikarai Major Irrigation Project: The project involves construction of Bordikarai
Barrage of length 260.5 m over Dikrai River, a tributary of Kameng, in Sunitpuri District
of Assam. Benefits from Bordikarai Major Irrigation Project include annual irrigation of
34.042 ha areas in Sonitpur District.
h) Kaldiya Medium Irrigation Project: The Kaldiya medium Irrigation Project is being
constructed in Barpeta district of Assam. GCA, CCA and annual irrigation of the project
are 11.085 Th.ha, 9.72 Th.ha and 16.69 Th.ha respectively.
i) Harguti Medium Irrigation Project: Harguti irrigation scheme consists of a barrage across
the river Harguti and a left bank canal system in Kokrajhar district of Assam. This scheme
irrigates annually 5.96 Th.ha areas with CCA of 2.60 Th.ha. Work on the project started
in 1968 and was completed in 1974.
j) Longa Medium Irrigation Project: The project envisages the construction of Longa weir
across the Longa River in Goalpara district. Work on the project started in 1979 and was
completed in 1981.This scheme benefits the Kokrajhar district of Assam with GCA, CCA
and annual irrigation of 3.6010 Th.ha, 3.46 Th.ha and 8.5020 Th.ha respectively.
Some other important medium irrigation projects of Assam include- Dikharu, Borolia, Pahumara,
Bhumki, Rupahi, Dekadong irrigation project. Salient features of the major and medium irrigation
projects of the Brahmaputra basin are listed in the Annexure IV: C.
Major and Medium Irrigation Projects of Nagaland, Meghalaya and Sikkim:
Dzuza irrigation project is the important irrigation project of Nagaland falling in the Brahmaputra
Basin. Important features of this project are -
a) Dzuza Medium Irrigation Project: Dzuza medium irrigation project of Nagaland envisages
utilisation of water of Dzuza River by constructing a barrage across the river near village
Hozukha about 30 km from Dimapur in Kohima district of Nagalaud. The project started
in 1996 and approved by Planning Commission in 2005. The project has CCA of 8.11
Th.ha with annual irrigation of 10.14 Th.ha. This scheme benefits the Dimapur and
Kohima district of Nagaland.
Water resources projects falling in Meghalaya and Sikkim, forming the part of the Brahmaputra
basin are basically Hydropower projects.
Other irrigation rojects of Brahmaputra basin are the Lifts and the Extension, Renovation and
Modernisation schemes as shown in the Table 8. For agricultural uses the lift irrigation in local scale
were practiced in the Brahmaputra basin prior to the commencement of the major and medium
irrigation schemes.
At present, there are 4 Lift irrigation schemes in Brahmaputra Basin. The salient features of these
projects are given below:
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Brahamaputra Basin
a) Integrated Kallong Basin Lift Irrigation Project: Integrated Kallong Basin Lift Irrigation Project
was the first major lift irrigation scheme in Assam taken up during the Vth and completed in
10 th Five Year Plan which irrigate Nagaon district of Assam. GCA, CCA and annual irrigation of
the project are 29.95 Th.ha, 21.45 Th.ha and 21.45 Th.ha respectively.
b) Kaliabor Medium Lift Irrigation Scheme: Kaliabor Lift Irrigation Scheme is a medium lift
irrigation scheme approved by planning commission in 1971 which covers under Tribal Sub
Plan. Annual irrigation under this scheme is 13.58 Th.ha area of Kaliabor region of Nagaon
district.
c) Buridehing Medium Lift Irrigation scheme: This scheme envisages pumping of 4.25 cumec
(Maximum discharge) of water from the Buridehing River at Khowang, for irrigation 5054 Ha
areas on the left bank in Khowang region of Dibrugarh Distirict. The estimated CCA of this
project is 3.05 Th. ha.
d) Hawaipur Medium Lift Irrigation Project: Hawaipur Lift Irrigation Scheme, located in the
Hamren Subdivision of Karbi Anglong District of Assam, envisages lifting of water (design
discharge 2.26 cumecs) from the river Kopili, a tributary of the river Brahmapura, for
providing annual irrigation to an area of 3,887 ha. This project benefited the rain shadow
zone of the district. This scheme completed in 2002.
ERM of 3 earlier completed irrigation projects of Assam falling in the Brahmaputra Basin are
accounted up-to 11 th , 5 year plan. ERM schemes of Brahmaputra basin are namely the
Modernization of Jamuna, Improvement of Kulshik and Modernization of Sukla scheme. The salient
features of these schemes are given below:
a) The Modernisation of Jamuna: This scheme was approved by the Planning Commission in
the year 1996-97 for Rs 60.27 crore for rehabilitation and modernization of existing facilities
of the project, thereby, creating an additional Annual Irrigation Potential (AIA ) of 13,758 ha
raising earlier AIA of the project from designed 28,256 ha to 42,014 ha. The modernization
scheme also envisaged restoration of the 5000 ha of AIA lost earlier. This scheme was
included under AIBP in the year 2001-2002 and upto 2009 irrigation increased by additional
12758 ha.
b) Modernization of Sukla: This project was approved by planning commission in 1979 to
modernization and increases the irrigation potential of Sukla Major Irrigation Project of
Kamrup district of Assam. It has created an additional Annual Irrigation Potential of 27.40
Th. ha area in Kamrup district.
c) Improvement of Kulshik: Improvement of Kulshik project was approved by planning
commission in 1966 to increase the irrigation potential of Kulshik project by additional 3
Th.ha in Darrang district of Assam.
The salient features of the Lifts, Power Houses and Extension Renovation and Modernisation (ERM)
projects are listed in the Annexure IV: D, E & F. Spatial location of major water resources structures
and projects are shown in Map 10.
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Brahamaputra Basin
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Map 10. Major water resources structures and projects

Brahamaputra Basin
3.2.2 Hydro Electric Projects
The Brahmaputra basin has abundant hydropower potential. This region possesses as much as 41
per cent of the country's total hydropower potential. As per the latest assessment the hydropower
potential of the sub-basin is 31,012 MW at 60% load factor. A large chunk of the hydropower
potential of the sub-basin remains to be tapped.
Several hydropower projects of this region like the Kopili (200 MW), Khandong (75 MW), Karbi
Langpi (100 MW) of Assam, Lower Subansiri (2,000 MW), Dibang (3000 MW), Kameng (600 MW),
and Ranganadi (405 MW) of Arunachal Pradesh, Teesta-V (510 MW) of West Bengal, Umiam-Umtru
Power Complex (174 MW) of Meghalaya etc. are presently at various stages of planning and
development.
Salient feature of the important hydropower projects of Brahmaputra basin with their status are
given below-
a) Kopili (Operational): This project consists of Umrong dam on Umrong River, a tributary of
Brahmaputra River. The power house is located at a distance of 70 km from Lanka in Assam.
Kopili power house has 4 units of 50 MW each, with mean annual inflow of 2,860 MCM.
NEEPCO commissioned the project during 1988-97 which has a firm power of 54 MW. For
power generation, the surface power house has Vertical Francis Turbines, which work at net
rated head of 99m. Its annual generation is likely to be 1186.14 MU.
b) Khandong (Operational): This project consists of a dam on Khandong River, a tributary of
Brahmaputra, is located at a distance of 70 km from Lanka in Assam. Khandong power house
has 3 units of 25 MW each, with mean annual inflow of 2,860 MCM and provides firm power of
13 MW. NEEPCO commissioned the project in 1984. Its annual generation is likely to be 277.60
MU. For power generation, the surface power house has Vertical Francis Turbines, which work
at net rated head of 326.5 m. Khandong and Kopili projects have now included under the
Khadong Kopil Complex.
c) Karbi Langpi (Operational): Karbi Langpi dam on Borapani River, a tributary of Brahmaputra
river located near Hamren of Karbi Anglong district, Assam. Karbi Langpi power house has 2
units of 50 MW each, with mean annual inflow of 906 MCM and it’s annual generation is likely
to be 390 MU. For power generation, the surface power house has Vertical Francis Turbines,
which work at net rated head of 240 m. Karbi Langpi project is under control of APGCL.
d) Lower Subansiri (Under Construction): Subansiri lower power houseis under construction in the
Subansiri River in lower Subansiri / Dhemaji Disttrict (Arunachal Pradesh / Assam). The power
house has 8 units of 250 MW of each generation capacity, with mean annual inflow of 44,119
MCM. The expected annual generation is 7,422 MU in 90% dependable year. Lower Subansiri
project is under NHPC Ltd.
e) Ranganadi (Operational): This project has been constructed on Ranganadi River, a tributary of
Brahmaputra River, 50 km from Zir City in Arunachal Pradesh. Ranganadi power house has 3
units of 135 MW each, with maximum and minimum annual inflow of 5,080 and 2,048 MCM
respectively. For power generations, the surface power house has Vertical Francis Turbines
which work at net rated Max. /Mini. Head of 322/290 m. It has a firm power of 65 MW.
NEEPCO commissioned the project in 2002.
f) Kameng (Under Construction): Kameng hydropower house is under construction in the Bichom
& Tenga River in West Kameng district of Arunachal Pradesh. The power house has 4 units of
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150 MW of eachgeneration capacity, with mean annual inflow of 4534.52 MCM. The expected
annual generation is 3592 MU in 90% dependable year. Lower Subansiri project is under
NEEPCO.
g) Teesta-V (Operational): Teesta-V HE project is in Teesta River at Balutar, Sikkim. It has 2572 MU
of designed energy. The power house is underground with 3 units of 170 MW each generation
capacity.
h) Teesta Low Dam Stage-III (Under Construction): It is being constructed on Teesta River in
Darjeeling distt.of West Bengal.The project will have 32.5 m high barrage and the power plant
will have installed capacity of 4X33 MW or 132 MW to annually generate 594.07 MU in a 90%
dependable year.
i) Umiam-III (Operational): This is the 3 rd in the series of projects with Umiam-I of 36 MW and
Umium-II of 18 MW capacity. Umiam III HE project consists of Kyrdemkulai concrete gravity
dam on Umium & Umtru River, tributaries of Brahmaputra.Umiam-II power house has 2 units of
30 MW each. It has a firm power of 16 MW. Meghalaya state electricity board commissioned
the project in 1979.
j) Umiam-IV (Operational): Umiam-IV hydroelectric power consists of Nongkhylle dam across
Umtru River. The power house is located at a distance of 55 kmfrom Shillomg in Ri Bhoi district
of Meghalaya. Umiam-IV power house has 2 units of 30 MW each, with mean annual inflow of
52 MCM. It has a firm power of 15 MW. Meghalaya State Electricity Board commissioned the
project in 1992.
k) Dibang (Planning): Dibang is Central Electricity Authority (CEA) concurred hydroelectric project
in the Dibang / Tangon River in Lower Dibang Valley District of Arunachal Pradesh. The
underground power house has 12 units of 250 MW capacity with annual Inflow of 21616.38
MCM. The Design Energy is 11330 MU.
3.2.3 Dams, Barrages/Weirs/Anicuts
Dams, barrage, weirs, dnicuts are manmade water resources structures to store and divert river
water for different purposes i.e hydropower, irrigation, drinking water supply etc. The spatial
distribution of dams, barrage and weirs in the basin are shown in the Map 11a and Map 11b.
Major dams of the Brahmaputra basin are - Subansiri Lower HE (NHPC) & Ranganadi of Arunachal
Pradesh, Khandong dam of Meghalaya, Doyang HEP dam of Nagaland, & Rangit-III dam of Sikkim etc.
Salient feature of these major dams are given below -
a) Subansiri Lower: The Lower Subansiri dam is under construction falling in lower Subansiri &
Dhemaji District (Arunachal Pradesh & Assam respectively). It is a concrete gravity dam of 130
m height with volume 2250 Cubic meter. The reservoir of Subansiri Lower dam will have gross
storage capacity of 1365 MCM.
b) Lower Teesta-IV: Teesta-IV, dam is a concrete gravity dam has been constructed on Teesta
River, a tributary of Brahmaputra River, near town Siliguri in West Bengal. The height and the
length of the dam are 511 and 30 m respectively and gross storage capacity is 36.63 MCM.
c) Ranganadi: Ranganadi dam is a concrete gravity dam has been constructed on Ranganadi River,
a tributary of Brahmaputra River, 50 km from Zir City in Arunachal Pradesh. The height of the
dam is 68 m and gross storage capacity is 21.28 MCM.
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Brahamaputra Basin
d) Khandong: Khandong Dam is on Kopilli River, a tributary of Brahmaputra, is located at a
distance of 70 km from Lanka in Assam. The height of this dam is 61 m.Live storage of the dam
is 129.5 MCM.
e) Doyang: Doyang is a rockfill dam on the Doyang River, a tributary of Brahmaputra, 30 km from
Wokha in Nagaland. The height of the dam is 92 m and the reservoir has a live storage capacity
of 565 MCM at FRL 333.00 m.
f) Rangit-III: Rangit-III dam constructed as a part of Ranhit hydroelectric station commissioned in
the year 2000 by NHPC on Greater Rangit River, a tributary of Teesta River. The dam is located
at a distance of 130 km from Siliguri in South Sikkim District. The height of the dam is 45 m high.
The reservoir has a live storage capacity of 1.175 MCM.
Construction of mega dams of this basin, like Subansiri Lower, Ranganadi, Khandong, Karbi Langpi,
Teesta-V, Teesta III & IV Low dam etc. are only to tap the hydro power of this region. As shown in
Figure 7, 75% of the total dams are constructed to generate hydropower only.Multi-purpose dams
are very less in Brahmaputra Basin. The basin-wise distribution of water resource structures of the
basin are shown in the Table 9. About 33.30% of dams in Brahmaputra basin have storage capacity
above 500 MCM. Only few dams like Umium (Meghalaya), Doyang (Nagaland) and Rangit-III (Sikkim)
have some other uses like fisheries and water supply. Umium reservoir water also used to local level
irrigation of some downstream regions and also supply drinking water to some local cantonment
area.
Barrage and weir are mostly used in the Brahmaputra basin for the agricultural irrigation purposes.
All the major command areas of the Brahmaputra basin are irrigated by constructing diversion
structures i.e weir and barrage. The Sukla and Jamuna weir are the oldest water resources structures
associated with Sukla and Jamuna major Irrigation project undertaken in the 3rd plan. Jamuna weir
of length 302.36 m is the largest weir constructed in the Brahmaputra Basin completed in 1969.
Other important weirs of this region are - Umiam-Umtru, Umiam and Pahumura weir.
Barrages associated with the major and medium irrigation projects of this basin are Teesta, Dhansiri,
Barolia, Jaldhaka, Burisuti, Garufella, Dzuza, Baradikarai, Champamati, Longa, Bhumki barrage etc.
Teesta Barrage across Teesta River in West Bengal, about 9.6 km downstream of Sevoke Railway
bridge on the Assam Rail Link is the largest barrage of Brahmaputra basin with length of 921.5 m
completed in 1986.
Salient features of the dams, Barrages, weirs and anicuts of the Brahmaputra basin are listed in the
(Annexure IV: A & B).
Table 9. Sub-basin wise number and type of water resources structures
Sl. No. Sub Basin Dam Barrage Weir Anicut Lift Power House
1 Brahmaputra Lower 13 16 5 0 2 18
2 Brahmaputra Upper 3 1 0 0 2 3
Source: India-WRIS
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Brahamaputra Basin
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Map 11a. Brahmaputra Upper Sub-basin water resources assets

Brahamaputra Basin
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Map 11b. Brahmaputra Lower Sub-basin water resources assets

Brahamaputra Basin
Figure 6. Dam classification based on storage
Figure 7. Dam classification based on purpose
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Brahamaputra Basin
3.2.4 Command area and canals network
Canals are man-made channels for conveyance of water. When the water is to be transported across
landscape to deliver the water to the respective command areas by canal network, construction of
various irrigation structures are necessary to negotiate terrain including drains, road, rail lines.
Important Irrigation structures are Regulators, Bridge, Aqueduct / Syphon Aqueduct, Super passage /
Syphon, Level crossing / Inlets and Outlets, and Other Cross drainage Structures. Distributary head
regulator controls the supply to an off taking channel from the parent channel.
In Brahmaputra Basin there are few completed and ongoing major irrigation projects. But, the canal
network is not very much extensive in this basin (Map 12). Unlike other states of India, irrigation was
hardly practiced for agricultural production in the north-eastern region. In the mid sixties, a few
irrigation projects were developed in Assam. There is no shortage of water for irrigation.But due to
limitations of topography and frequency of flood in lower reaches of the basin large scale irrigation is
not feasible in Arunachal Pradesh and Arrasm. However due to hilly terrain, the drainage of water is
very fast thus causing water stress during dry spell. Surface water resources are tapped in this region
either by diversion structures or by pumping for irrigation.
As per the India WRIS database, there are 25 major & medium command areas in this basin, out of
which 7 are major and 18 are medium commands. Teesta Barrage (Phase-I, St.I, Sub Stage I Irrigation
Project), Dhansiri Irrigation Project, Champamati Irrigation Project, Integrated Kallong Irrigation
Project, Bordikarai Irrigation Project, Jamuna Irrigation Project, are those major projects having
considerable command area falling within the Brahmaputra Basin. Majority of the commands are
falling in the lower Brahmaputra Sub basin. Only 3 ongoing medium command areas namely Dzuzza
command of Nagaland, Buridehing and Rangma of Assam are falling in the upper Brahmaputra sub
basin.
Teesta Barrage (Phase-I, St.I, Sub Stage I) is an ongoing major Irrigation Project of West Bengal
havinga large command area falling in both the Brahmaputra and Ganga Basin. Teesta Mahananda
Link Canal off take from the Mahananda Barrage, Teesta Jaldhaka Main Canal off take from Teesta
Barrage and their minor and distributaries irrigate the Jalpaiguri and Kochbihar areas of
Brahmaputra Basin. The Dhansiri Irrigation project has irrigating the Udalguri and Darrang districts of
Assam. Dhansiri R.B.C originating from Dhansiri Barrage and it’s minor and distributaries have
irrigated a command area of 78.86 Th.ha. The Champamati Irrigation project has command area of
39.42 Th.ha falling in Kokrajhar and the Chirang districts of Assam. Right Bank and the Left Bank
canal off take from the Barrage across river Champamati have irrigating the Kokrajhar and Sirang
districts respectively. Bordikarai Irrigation Project has command area of 28.666 Th.ha irrigating the
Sunitpur district of Assam. Jamuna Irrigation Project is the completed major project of Assam
irrigating Sonitpur district with a command area 28.13 Th.ha. The Ultimate Iirrigation Potential (UIP)
and Culturable Command Area (CCA) of all the major and medium irrigation projects of Brahmaputra
basin are listed in Annexure IV: C.
A study was carried out jointly by CWC & ISRO to assess the existing status of the irrigation
commands. IRS P4 LISS III data of two different seasons namely, pre monsoon (2005) and post
monsoon (2004) were used for delineation of waterlogged and salt affected areas of major and
medium irrigation commands of Brahmaputra basin. Total waterlogged area in this basin was
2243.13 ha.
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Brahamaputra Basin
3.2.5 Multipurpose projects
Multipurpose projects are very less in this basin. Only 2 multipurpose projects are there in this basin
namely-
a) Teesta Barrage St-I, Ph-I Subphase I Project (West Bengal), &
b) Pagladiya Major Irrigation Project
The Teesta barrage project St-I, Phase-I Subphase I envisages the creation of irrigation potential of
527 Th.ha in six northern districts namely Darjeeling, Malda, Kochbihar, Jalpaiguri, North Dinajpur
and South Dinajpur. Three power houses are constructed on Teesta canal off from Mahananda
barrage, namely Teesta PH I, II, and III. The Power houses are loacted on the canal at 5 km, 21 km
and 31 km from barrage, near Siliguri town in Jalpaiguri District, West Bengal. All the three power
houses have 3 units of 7.5 MW each. The project was commissioned during 1997-99.
Pagladia dam project is essentially a flood control and irrigation project with incidental hydropower
generated from the canal release.
(Details of both the projects are described under the Major and medium irrigation projects).
3.2.6 Interstate projects
There is no interstate project in the Brahmaputra basin.
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Brahamaputra Basin
Buridehing Irr. Project
Bhumki
Dekadong
Rupahi
Kaliabor Irr. Project
Longa
Garufella
Kaldiya
Burisuti Pahumara
Harguti Irr.
Dikharu
Rangma Irr. Project
Rongal Valley Irr. Project
Kallong
Hawaipur Lift Irr.
Project
Dzuzza Irr. Project
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Map 11. Command area and canal network

Brahamaputra Basin
4. Ground water resources
Water is essential to sustain agricultural growth and productivity. Ground water is the water below
the surface of the earth that occurs in soil pores and in cracks and fissures of rocks. Typically, ground
water is liquid flowing water but the definition also includes soil moisture, perma-frost (frozen soil)
and water trapped in very low permeability bed rocks. A unit of rock containing a usable amount of
water is termed as an aquifer. Ground water is refurbished from the surface and eventually flows
back to the surface in the form of springs or oases. The occurrence of ground water generally
depends upon the rainfall, drainage, topography and the geological conditions of the area.
4.1 Ground water observation wells
The Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) maintains a network of total 430 ground water
observation wells in the basin for study of ground water behaviour. The spatial distribution of
ground water observation wells are shown in the Map 13. Sub basin wise distributions of
observation wells are 304 located in Brahmaputra Lower Sub Basin and 126 well locations are
existed in Brahmaputra Upper Sub Basin (Table 10).
Sub surface lithological data indicate two broad groups of aquifiers for groundwater exploration (i)
shallow water table and (ii) deeper water table or confined zones, separated by a system of
aquicludes.The occurnce of ground water in the hard rock inselberg areas is controlled by foliations,
fractures / joints, and weathered zones. The physiographic features, types of drainage, depth and
duration of precipitation also play an important role.Many of the shallow open wells go dry by the
month of March. In the tertiary sediments, groundwater occurs in the sandstone and along the
fractures and solution cavities in the limestones. Groundwater occurs both under water table and
confined conditions. In the piedmont and alluvial fan deposits ground water occurs generally under
water table conditions.The water table has, in general, a southerly slope corresponding roughly to
the surface topography.
There is variation in depth of groundwater level which is mainly due to change in elevation. In the
flood plains and the wells located in Brahmaputra valley are comparatively shallow in comparison to
the wells located in upper reaches at higher elevations. The depth of water level varies from range of
2-6 m bgl and 5 to 10 m bgl in most of areas. But in the higher elevation areas deeper water level
observed, which goes upto 20 m of below ground water level depending upon the terrain feature of
the area.Based upon the pre-monsoon data for year of 2011, In the Brahmaputra lower sub basin
the ground water is found in a range of 4 to 20 m bgl mostly while in Brahmaputra upper sub basin
the water is found in a range anywhere between 2 to 20 m bgl.
Ground water is used for mainly two purposes at large scale in the basin which includes Drinking and
Irrigation.
Table 10. Sub-basin wise number of ground water observation wells
Sl. No. Sub Basin No. of Observation Wells
1 Brahmaputra Lower Sub Basin 304
2 Brahmaputra Upper Sub Basin 126
Source: CGWB
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Brahamaputra Basin
Elevation
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Map 13. Location of ground water observation wells

Brahamaputra Basin
4.2 Ground water level fluctuation
Water table undergoes a seasonal fluctuation following a natural cycle. Water table rises during
rainy season due to recharge received from rainfall and falls back during summer season due to lack
of recharge and continuing extraction of ground water. In geo-hydrology, the highest water level is
referred to as the post-monsoon water level and the lowest level in summer as pre-monsoon water
level. The difference between highest water level value and lowest water level value is termed as
fluctuation in ground water level. This value can be positive as well as negative depending upon
various factors.
Ground water fluctuation in the Brahamaputra basin is assessed for recharge and draft conditions
based on the available groundwater level in four different seasons. Ground water recharge is
estimated by the difference between pre and post monsoon seasons. Similarly, groundwater draft is
estimated by the difference between post-monsoon and post-monsoon (rabi) seasons data.
Interpolated maps for ground water recharge and irrigation draft (rabi) are prepared based on the
available ground water fluctuation data in the basin. Ground water fluctuation due to recharge and
draft in Brahmaputra basin is depicted through chloropleth map given in Map 14 & Map 15.
The ground water fluctuation map (Map 14) shows the fluctuation of water level due to recharge in
the basin for the year 2011. It revealed that there is positive fluctuation in groundwater level in
major areas of basin with a rise of less than 2 m bgl in the post monsoon season. Few pockets of
Jalpaiguri region shows rise in ground water level of 2 - 4 m bgl.
But on the other hand there is also negative fluctuation with a fall in water level less than 2 m bgl
occurred in a very small part of basin which constitutes a minor area of Jalpaiguri, KochBihar and
Kokrajhar districts of West Bengal and Assam respectively.
Ground water fluctuation due to draft in the basin shows a larger part of basin experienced negative
fluctuation in groundwater level with a fall in water level less than 2 m bgl. Negative fluctuation with
a fall in range of 2 - 4 m bgl and 4 m bgl is noticed in Jorhat, Karbi Anglong, Golaghat, Sibasagar,
Nagaon, Kamrup districts of Assam and Jaintia Hills and Ribhoi districts of Meghalaya due to overexploitation
of ground water for different purposes and other natural cycle disruption like less
rainfall etc.
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Brahamaputra Basin
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Map 14. Ground water level fluctuation (Recharge)
Map 13. Location of ground water observation wells

Brahamaputra Basin
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Map 15. Ground water level fluctuation (Draft)

Brahamaputra Basin
4.3 Litholog well locations
A unit of rock containing a usable amount of water is termed as an aquifer. An aquifer is an
underground layer of water-bearing permeable rock or unconsolidated materials (gravel, sand, or
silt) from which ground water can be extracted using water well. Related terms include aquitard,
which is a bed of low permeability along an aquifer and aquiclude (or aquifuge), which is a solid,
impermeable area underlying or overlying an aquifer. If the impermeable area overlies the aquifer
pressure could cause it to become a confined aquifer. Aquifers may occur at various depths. Those
closer to the surface are not only more likely to be used for water supply and irrigation, but are also
more likely to be topped up by the local rainfall.
The lithology well Locations in the basin are shown in the Map 16. There are 61 litholog well
locations exists in whole basin out of which 40 well locations falls in Brahmaputra lower sub basin
while 21 well locations fall in Brahmaputra Upper sub-basin. Hydrogeologically, the Brahmaputra
basin can be divided into two distinct categories : (a) dissected alluvial plain and (b) the inselberg
zone.The first category is represented in the flood plain extending from south of the sub-Himalayan
piedmont fan zone in the north to right up to the main rock promontory of the Garo hills and the
Shillong plateau.There are a large number of buried channels consisting of gravel and sands,natural
leaves of sands and silts,back swamp/bils of silts and clays.The inselberg zone is characterized by
fractured, jointed ,and weathered ancient crystalline rocks with inter-hill narrow valley
plains,consisting of thin to occasionally thick piles of assorted sediments. The detail Inventory of
litholog well locations of Brahmaputra Basin is listed in the Annexure V: A.
Geologically in the Brahmaputra basin the major lithology group found can be categorised in
Alluvium, Bouldary formation, Tertiary and Hardrock and major rock group is Un-Consolidated
Sediments (Quaternary - Recent) and Consolidated Sediments(Pre Cambrian-Devonian and other
ages). In the piedmont and alluvial fan deposits of the Brahmaputra Valley, ground water occurs
generally under water table conditions. The water table has, in general, a southerly slope
corresponding roughly to the surface topography. In the older and newer alluvium ground water
occurs both under water table, and confined condition. The artersian belts are known to occur in a
narrow strip between Dumni Chowki and Nalbari in Kamrup district, and within a small patch in
Borpathar area of Golaghat subdivision in the Sibsagar district. In the western fringes of Garo hills,
unconsolidated alluvial and semi consolidated sedimentary formations occured. The sandstones in
that region form potential aquifers locally. In the hilly regions of the basin, water yielding capabilities
vary considerably. In this region the consolidated formations comprises of the Archaean Gneissic
Complex, acid and basic intrusive, quartzite and phyllite of Shillong Group of rocks, carbonate and
non-carbonate sedimentary rocks. These rocks possess negligible primary porosity and the
movement and occurrence of ground water is controlled by the nature of the aquifer material and
the secondary porosity created by weathering and fractures.
In the districts of Darjiling, Jalpaiguri and KochBihar in West Bengal un-consolidated sediments
(Quaternary - Recent) as aquifer material occurs and depth of first aquifer encountered / tapped
varies from shallow (

Brahamaputra Basin
Elevation
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Map 16. Litholog well locations
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Brahamaputra Basin
5. Hydro-met observations
5.1 Hydrological observation sites
Hydrological observations in the Brahmaputra basin are carried out by the Central and State
Governments. The Central Water Commission maintains 114 hydro observations sites in the
Brahmaputra basin. These H.O stations carry out observations about various hydrological
parameters as gauge (river water level), discharge (amount of water released from a cross section in
the river in a given time period), sediment (concentration of solid particles in water) and river water
quality pertaining to different quality parameters. Some of the H.O sites also measure various
climatic parameters. In addition to these sites some of the sites are directly engage for flood
forecasting activities. The spatial distribution of the Hydro-observation stations are shown in the
Map 17. The 76 HO sites are located in Brahmaputra Lower Sub basin and 38 lies in Brahmaputra
Upper Sub basin.
These stations are categorized as G, GD, GQ, GDQ, GDS, GDSQ, RF and Snow, where the abbreviation
stands as: G-Gauge, D-Discharge, S-Sediment and Q-Water Quality. RF -for rainfall measuring station
and Snow- snowfall measuring station in the basin. The Central Water Commission maintains 27
gauge sites, 5 gauge discharge sites, 40 gauge quality sites, 14 gauge discharge quality sites, 10
gauge discharge sediment sites, and 18 gauge discharge sediment quality sites are maintained by
CWC for the study of hydrological observations in basin as shown in table 10. There is no purely
Rainfall measuring and Snowfall measuring sites operated by CWC in Brahmaputra basin. The details
of the attributes realted to these sites are listed in Annexure VI: A.
Table 11. Hydrological observation sites of CWC
Sl. No. Station Type Number of Stations
1 G 27
2 GQ 40
3 GD 5
4 GDQ 14
5 GDS 10
6 GDSQ 18
7 RF 0
8 Snow 0
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Brahamaputra Basin
Elevation
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Map 17. Hydro observation and flood forecasting stations

Brahamaputra Basin
5.2 Flood forecasting sites
Flood forecasting is an important component of flood warning, where the distinction between the
two is that the outcome of flood forecasting is a set of forecast time-profiles of channel flows or
river levels at various locations, while "flood warning" is the task of making use of these forecast to
make decisions about whether warnings of floods should be issued to the general public or whether
previous warnings should be rescinded or retracted.
Central Water Commission, Ministry of Water Resources has set up a network of flood forecasting
stations covering all important flood prone rivers. Brahmaputra basin covers a part of the most flood
prone areas of the country. Flood forecasting has been recognized as the most important, reliable
and cost effective non-structural measures for flood mitigation. Two kinds of forecasts are issued
based on the utility of the forecast. Inflow forecasts assist in reservoir regulation (full reservoir level
& maximum water level) and the level forecast is used for predicting water level (warning level &
danger level) well ahead of its occurrence.
The Central Water Commission operates 27 flood forecasting stations for Level forecast as shown in
the Table 12. Distributions of the Flood Forecasting Sites are shown in Map 17. The details of the
attributes realted to these flood forecasting sites are listed in Annexure VI: B.
5.3 Meteorological stations
Table 12. Types of flood forecasting stations of CWC
Sl. No. Station Type Number Of Stations
1 Level forecast 27
2 Inflow Forecast 0
There are 114 CWC Observation Stations and 27 flood forecasting stations in the basin maintained
by Central Water Commission. These stations are established to understand the relationship
between meteorological parameter and river dynamics. Under the supervision of ISRO there are 89
AWS are established in the basin as shown in Table 13. The integrated approach of measuring
meteorological parameter using Automated Weather Stations (AWS) is helpful in the remote region
where due to climatic conditions and difficult terrain manual observation of data is not possible. This
AWS required a minimum maintenance and the data is generated on the temporal basis. These
stations are maintained and data stored by the MOSDAC.
Table 13. Meteorological stations
Sl. No. Organisation Number of Stations
1 CWC Observation Stations 114
2 IMD Stations 109
3 ISRO AWS Stations 89
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6. Water quality
6.1 Surface water quality observations
Surface water has played an important role in the development of human civilization. Good water
quality resources depends on a large number of physio-chemical parameters and the magnitude and
source of any pollution load; and to assess that, monitoring of these parameters is essential.
Brahmaputra and its tributaries are one of the main and important sources of water for a large
population in basin for drinking and irrigation and its quality directly affects their lives. Central Water
Commission operates 72 stations which carry out observations for testing the surface water quality
of 68 water quality parameters which are considered to be the “Standard Hydrology Project Water
Quality Parameters” in the Brahmaputra basin.
Other organisation like Brahmaputra Board and the State Pollution Control Boards of Assam,
Nagaland and Sikkim at 68 locations are also doing the water quality monitoring of the River
Brahmaputra and it’s several tributaries in the basin (Source: STATUS OF WATER QUALITY IN INDIA
2009, CPCB).
All physical, chemical and biological water quality parameters are categorized further under sub
categories like field determinations, nutrients, organic matter, alkalinity, hardness, other inorganics,
major ions, coliforms and others. When compared to the other major rivers in India, the
Brahmaputra is less polluted but it has it is also facing problem of water pollution due to petroleum
refining units draining most of the industrial pollution load into the river along with other medium
and small industries. The problem is severe in Dibrugarh. Increasing trend in BOD level of
Brahmaputra river has been noticed when compared against 9.2 mg/l in 2011 and 6.3 mg/l in 2010
(Sourcs: CPCB website, Central Pollution Control Board Programme Projects Water Quality Pollution
NWMP).
The major ion chemistry of the Brahmaputra is characterized by high bi-carbonate content and
source rock influence. While higher values of TSM than TDS during monsoon indicate predominance
of physical weathering over chemical weathering, chemical weathering is relatively more
pronounced during the dry season. On average, 60 % of the bi-carbonates in the Brahmaputra water
come from silicate weathering and the rest from the carbonates.
Surface suspended sediments range from fine sand to clay,the size fraction greater than 12µm
constitute a large number. Surface suspended sediments are moderately to poorly sorted with
greater amounts of finer material in the distribution, particulalryduring the rainy season. The detrital
contribution in the from of Quartz, Feldspar and Mica make up more than 80% of the mineralogy.
Chlorite, Illite, and Kaolinite constitue about 95 % of the clay minerals. Suspended sediments play a
significant role on the overall solute and sediment bio-geochemistry of the river.
It has been also observed that river water of the basin is generally alkaline with comparatively high
bicarbonate, sulphate and dissolved silica concentration. Dissolved Oxygen (DO), Biochemical
Oxygen Demand (BOD), Fecal Coliform and turbidity are observed to be the common violating
parameters for most of the rivers of the basin. The higher values of TSM than TDS during monsoon
season also indicate predominance of physical weathering over chemical weathering in the
Brahmaputra River. The un-treated sewage waste and effluents of major towns situated along the
river also getting inside the main stream of river and degrading its quality for use in irrigation and
drinking purposes.
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Brahamaputra Basin
6.2 Ground water quality observations
A large part of Brahmaputra basin’s irrigated agricultural and domestic needs also depends upon
ground water availability and its quality. The Ground Water Quality at observation wells located in
the basin is measured on the basis of main 15 parameters which include values for Magnesium, pH,
Nitrate, Potassium, Sulphate, Electrical Conductivity (EC), Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) , Calcium,
Sodium, Carbonate, Bicarbonate, Chloride, Fluoride, Sodium Absorption Ratio (SAR) and Residual
Sodium Carbonate(RSC) and Arsenic & Iron which are specific to areas. They are further classified in
two categories viz. Irrigation and Drinking Water quality standards as described by Bureau of Indian
Standards (BIS) for ground water quality.
Based upon these all parameters in general the chemical quality of ground water, both from nearsurface
and deeper aquifer zones, is generally good and suitable for the Irrigation and Drinking
purposes in the basin.
The Ground water is generally mildly alkaline in the basin with a pH value ranging from 6.5 to
8.5.The total dissolved solides are low. The chloride and bi-carbonate values are also considerably
low.
However, at many places in the basin, an excess of Fluoride, Iron and Arsenic has been recorded. In
Assam parts of Goalpara, Kamrup, Karbi Anglong, Nagaon districts are observed with excess Fluoride
(>1.5 mg / litre) in Ground Water (Source: CGWB, March 2008). Parts of Cachar, Darrang, Dhemaji,
Dhubri, Goalpapra, Jorhat, Kamrup, Karbi Anglong, Karimganj, Lakhimpur, Morigaon, Nagaon,
Nalbari, Sibsagar, Sonitpur disticts of Assam and East Garo Hills, East Khasi Hill, Jaintia Hills districts
of Meghalaya have iron more than permissible limit in water with occurrence of Iron (>1.0 mg/litre)
in ground water which exceeds the BIS standards.
Bordoloni, Dhemaji, Sisirborgaon blocks in Dhemaji district have excess of Arsenic (>0.01 mg/litre) in
ground water.High Levels of Arsenic in groundwater not only cause significant problems in the
provision of Safe Drinking water. Long term exposure of arsenic has been associated with cancer of
the skin, lung, urinary tract, kideney, liver, and can also produce various other non-cancerous
effects.
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7. Inter-basin transfer links
The Brahmaputra basins, particularly the portions in Assam, have earned notoriety for the hazards of
annual flood and erosion that create mayhem every year, bringing misery to the people and
shattering the fragile agro-economic base of the region. On the other hand, regional variations in the
rainfall lead to frequent droughts and causing immense hardship to the population in some parts of
the country.
The inter-basin water transfer (IBWT) from the surplus rivers to deficit areas is one of the most
effective way to reduce regional imbalance in the availability of water. Building storage reservoirs on
the surplus rivers and connecting them to other parts of the country, regional imbalances could be
reduced significantly and lot of benefits by way of additional irrigation, domestic and industrial
water supply, hydropower generation, navigational facilities etc. would accrue.
NWDA has proposed 30 possible links in India which include 14 Himalayan components and 16
Peninsular components. Two of those 14 Himalayan links, are proposed to connecting the
Brahmaputra River/ tributaries to Ganga Basin Rivers/tributaries (Map 18). They are –
Manas-Sankosh-Tista-Ganga Link: The Manas-Sankosh-Tista-Ganga Link will join Manas River to
Ganga River via Sankosh and Tista Rivers.
Jogighopa-Tista-Farakka Link (Alternate): The Jogighopa-Tista-Farakka Link will join Brahmaputra
River (Jogighopa Barrage) to Ganga River (Farakka Barrage). This Link is alternate for Manas-
Sankosh-Tista-Ganga Link.
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Brahamaputra Basin
Elevation
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Map 18. Inter basin transfer links

Brahamaputra Basin
8. Inland navigation waterways
River navigation in the 890 km long reach of the Brahmaputra from Sadiya to the Bangladesh border
is now the 'National Waterway No. 2' (Map 19) vide National Waterway (Sadiya-Dhubri stretch of
the Brahmaputra river) Act 1988 (40 of 1988). Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) is the
owner of this National Waterways No.2. The Central Inland Water Transport Corporation (CIWTC) is
operating this waterway since its establishment in 1957.The traffic potential on the river route is
estimated to be about 1.1 million tons by the year 2004-05.
The Brahmaputra along with its continuous water routes leading up to the ports of Calcutta and
Haldia is a very important traditional IWT route. Under an agreement with the Govt. of Bangladesh,
the CIWTC, an other Indian vessel operators are plying their cargo vessels between Assam and
Calcutta region making use of IWT transit facilities through Bangladesh. HPCL, Numaligarh refineries
are some of the cargo interests in the region besides CEA, Cement manufacturers and Government
Departments, Assam Petrochemicals and various project implementation agencies.
Important river stations/commercial centers along the river bank in National Waterway -2 are
Dhubri, Jogighopa, Pandu/Guwahati, Tezpur, Neamati, Dibrugarh, Sadiya and Saikhowa.
Pandu/Guwahat is the most important river station on NW-2 and the stretch downstream of Pandu
up to Bangladesh Border (260 kms) is the stretch where IWT operation is presently most active.
At present this waterway is being used by vessels of Govt of Assam, CIWTC, Border Security Force,
tourism vessels, and other private operators. Long cruise tourist vessels are making voyages
between Sivsagar near Dibrugarh and Manas wild life sanctuary near Jogighopa continuously. PoL
was transported by IWT on trial from Silghat to Budg- Budg and Baghmari in Bangladesh.
Inland navigation is an important and popular mode of traffic transport in different parts of this
basin from the ancient time. A huge bulk of traffic used to move through these waterways. Some
tributaries of Brahmaputra are navigable throughout the year by country boats. Few navigable
tributaries are-
1. The Subansiri for a distance of 143 Km from Subansirimukh to Chauldhawa ghat,
2. The Manas, for a distance of 48 Km from the railway line to it’s confluence with the
Brahmaputra.
3. The Bhoreli from Buragaon Bagicha to its confluence with the Brahmaputra, a distance of 64
km.
4. The Dhansiri (South), for a distance of 48 km from Golaghat town to Dhansirimukh.
5. The Kopili from Khariakhana to Jagigaon (confluence with the Kalong) a distance of 103 km.
6. The Buri Dihing is navigable by country boats from Nawsang Tea Estate to Dihingmukh, a
distance of 161 km, during the rainy season only.
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Brahamaputra Basin Report
21-12-2013
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Elevation
61
Map 19. Inland navigation waterways

Brahamaputra Basin
9. Water tourism sites
The Brahmaputra basin is famous for its scenic beauty, its colourful legends and rituals, traditions
and ethos. The basin is enriched with large variety of water tourism places including pilgrimage
places, sanctuaries, national parks, lakes, and many more. Best season to visit this region is from
October to April.
The major Pilgrimage sites of the basin are the Buddhist monastery at Tawang, Famous Rumtek
Monastery of Gangtok, and the Parasuram Kunda on Lohit river in Arunachal Pradesh, the Siva doul
(temple) and other monuments of the Ahom rule in upper Assam, Biswanath temple, Nagsankar
temple, Da-Parbatia and Mahabhairav temple near Tezpur, Barpeta Satra and Kirtan Ghar,
Batadrawa Satra, Haigrib-Madhab temple and Poa-Mecca at Hajo, Kamakhya temple in Guwahati,
Gurudwara and Rangamati mosque in Dhubri district are some of the ancient monuments of great
repute and reverence on the banks of the Brahmaputra river and its tributaries. Other temples of
significance include Umananda temple perched on a rocky island in the Brahmaputra, Ugratara
temple, Chatrakar temple, Viswakarma temple, Basistha Ashram temple in and around the Guwahati
city. Majuli Island in the middle of the Brahmaputra River, off Jorhat town in Upper Assam, is the
most venerated and thriving nerve centre of the Neo-Vaishnavite religio-cultural heritage of Assam.
The Biodiversity of the Brahmaputra basin makes it one of the popular tourist spots for wildlife
enthusiasts since it houses a wide variety of exotic flora and fauna. The Wildlife Sanctuaries and
National Park like Kaziranga National Park in the basin are home to number of endangered species of
wildlife. The Manas and Kaziranga have been listed as two World Heritage Sites. The Manas is a tiger
sanctuary and at the same time, Kaziranga houses the endangered Indian Rhinoceros.
Tsomgo Lake, a glacial lake in the East Sikkim, Chandubi Lake a natural lake located in Kamrup
district of Lower Assam, Umiam lake of Meghalaya, Sibsagar Lake of Assam, Dheer Beel of Dhubri,
Koya Kujiya Lake of Assam, the Ramsar site ‘Deepor Beel’of Guwahati are important lakes/ wetland
of immense tourist importance because of their scenic beauty.
The different tourism sites of the basin are categorically summarised in the Table 14. Spatial
Distribution of Water Tourism Sites/Important District Centre/Industrial Centre in the basin are
shown in the Map 20. Detail inventory of tourism sites of this basin are listed in Annexure VII: A & B.
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Brahamaputra Basin
Table 14. Water Tourism Sites
Sl.No Tourist Site Category No. of Places
1 Wild Life Sanctuaries 15
2 Lake 15
3 National Park 9
4 Peak 1
5 Fort 2
6 Hot Spring 2
7 Tourist Spot 19
8 Museums / Monument 3
9 Major Tourist Spot 3
10 Glacier 1
11 Pilgrimage (Temple) 22
12 Island 1
13 Waterfall 7
14 Hill Station 2
Source: India-WRIS
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63

Brahamaputra Basin
www.india-wris.nrsc.gov.in
Elevation
64
Map 20. Water tourism sites

Brahamaputra Basin
10. Conclusion
The Brahmaputra basin in India shows such a huge water resources potential provides lot of scope
for developmental activities for hydropower, navigation, irrigation, pisciculture, recreation and so
on. Average annual water potential of the basin is 537.24 BCM and the utilizable surface water is 24
BCM. The Brahmaputra and its tributaries carry more than 30 % of the total water resources
potential of the country. Besides, this region has the highest per capita and per hectare availability
of water in the country. However, due to many reasons, the development of water-resources in this
region is in nascent stage as compared to other parts of the country. Unlike other states of India,
irrigation is hardly practised for agricultural production in the nort-eastern region. In the mid sixties
only, few irrigation projects were developed in this region. Due to limitations of topography and
frequency of floods in lower reaches of the basin large scale irrigation is not feasible in Arunachal
Pradesh and Assam. The Brahmaputra basin has abundant hydropower potential. The region
possesses as much as 41% of the country's total hydropower potential. As per the latest assessment
the hydropower potential of the sub-basin is 31,012 MW at 60% load factor. It is also assessed that
Arunachal Pradesh alone has a hydropower potential of 26,756 MW at 60% load factor.Overall for
the region, despite the availability of large hydropower potential, current development is very small.
Several hydropower projects of this region are presently at various stages of operation,
development and planning. But, still there is growing concern about the possible negative impact of
the proposed large dams in terms of their sustainability in view of the high seismic base and the
extreme dynamism of geophysical processes in the region.
The problem of flooding is acute in the Brahmaputra valley. Drastic bank line changes and river bank
erosion is another severe problem in several vulnerable sections like Majuli, Palasbari, Rohmoria,
Bhuragaon, Bokuwal, etc. of Brahmaputra basin. Majuli the former largest riverine island is
drastically loosing its geographyical area due to the havoc flood and bank erosion. Agriculture, the
mainstay of most of the basin dwellers, suffers the most as a result of gross under-utilization of
existing water resources and the impact of ravaging flood and erosion hazards.
An integrated basin management approach for the rivers based on the principles of soil and water
conservation as well as sustainable development needs to be adopted. Proper utilised for hydro
power generation, irrigation and allied developmental purposes will definitely in turn considerably
reduce the magnitudes of flood hazards in the Brahmaputra valley.
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65

Brahamaputra Basin
Annexure I: State, district and parliamentary constituency in the basin
A. District Details
Sl. No. State Name District (2011) Population (2011)* Total Area (Sq. Km)
District Area in Basin
(Sq. Km)
% of District Area in
the Basin
1 Arunachal Pradesh Anjaw 21,167 6293.90 6293.89 100
2 Arunachal Pradesh Changlang 1,48,226 4862.13 4862.13 100
3 Arunachal Pradesh Dibang Valley 8,004 7180.07 7180.07 100
4 Arunachal Pradesh East Kameng 78,690 5793.13 5793.13 100
5 Arunachal Pradesh East Siang 99,214 3615.15 3615.15 100
6 Arunachal Pradesh Kurung Kumey 92,076 6556.22 6556.17 100
7 Arunachal Pradesh Lohit 1,45,726 3761.41 3761.41 100
8 Arunachal Pradesh Lower Dibang Valley 54,080 5502.05 5502.05 100
9 Arunachal Pradesh Lower Subansiri 83,030 2393.23 2393.23 100
10 Arunachal Pradesh Papum Pare 1,76,573 3647 3647 100
11 Arunachal Pradesh Tawang 49,977 2276.03 2276.03 100
12 Arunachal Pradesh Tirap 1,11,975 1957.76 1957.76 100
13 Arunachal Pradesh Upper Siang 35,320 6553.40 6553.06 99.99
14 Arunachal Pradesh Upper Subansiri 83,448 6204.35 6204.35 100
15 Arunachal Pradesh West Kameng 83,947 5080.15 5080.14 100
16 Arunachal Pradesh West Siang 1,12,274 7677.71 7677.71 100
17 Assam Sonitpur 19,24,110 5009.86 5009.86 100
18 Assam Nalbari 7,71,639 993.62 993.62 100
19 Assam Sibsagar 11,51,050 2540.23 2540.23 100
20 Assam Nagaon 28,23,768 3846.17 3846.17 100
21 Assam Chirang 4,82,162 1667.50 1667.40 99.99
22 Assam Cachar 17,36,617 3639.21 0.13 0
23 Assam Marigaon 9,57,423 1488.68 1488.68 100
24 Assam Bongaigaon 7,38,804 989.95 989.95 100
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Brahamaputra Basin
25 Assam Lakhimpur 10,42,137 2781.88 2781.88 100
26 Assam Kokrajhar 8,87,142 3082.51 3082.39 100
27 Assam Darrang 9,28,500 1552.81 1552.81 100
28 Assam Dhemaji 6,86,133 2515.83 2515.83 100
29 Assam Dhubri 19,49,258 2211.52 2211.52 100
30 Assam Dibrugarh 13,26,335 3276.03 3276.03 100
31 Assam Dima Hasao 2,14,102 4718.81 3815.33 80.85
32 Assam Baksa 9,50,075 2284.49 2284.49 100
33 Assam Goalpara 10,08,183 1936.05 1936.05 100
34 Assam Golaghat 10,66,888 3241.79 3241.79 100
35 Assam Udalguri 8,31,668 1966.34 1966.34 100
36 Assam Jorhat 10,92,256 2889.33 2889.33 100
37 Assam Kamrup 15,17,542 2798.17 2798.17 100
38 Assam Kamrup Metropolitan 12,53,938 1162.63 1162.63 100
39 Assam Karbi Anglong 9,56,313 10032.72 10032.72 100
40 Assam Tinsukia 13,27,929 3662.88 3662.88 100
41 Assam Barpeta 16,93,622 2225.29 2225.29 100
42 Meghalaya East Garo Hills 3,17,917 2676.38 1779.34 66.48
43 Meghalaya West Garo Hills 6,43,291 3386.80 2454.81 72.48
44 Meghalaya Jaintia Hills 3,95,124 3652.67 1896.72 51.93
45 Meghalaya South Garo Hills 1,42,334 1825.99 3.08 0.17
46 Meghalaya West Khasi Hills 3,83,461 5029.41 1708.91 33.98
47 Meghalaya East Khasi Hills 8,25,922 2698.16 452.07 16.75
48 Meghalaya Ri Bhoi 2,58,840 2329.35 2329.35 100
49 Manipur Senapati 1,93,744 3349.89 54.36 1.62
50 Nagaland Phek 1,63,418 1974.18 440.42 22.31
51 Nagaland Peren 95,219 1676.34 959.88 57.26
52 Nagaland Mon 2,50,260 1774.50 1774.50 100
53 Nagaland Mokokchung 1,94,622 1546.87 1546.87 100
54 Nagaland Longleng 50,484 543.77 543.77 100
55 Nagaland Zunheboto 1,40,757 1213 628.52 51.82
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Brahamaputra Basin
56 Nagaland Dimapur 3,78,811 780.77 780.65 99.99
57 Nagaland Kohima 2,67,988 1422.01 1331.72 93.65
58 Nagaland Wokha 1,66,343 1565.83 1565.83 100
59 Nagaland Tuensang 1,96,596 2377.52 926.45 38.97
60 Sikkim West 1,36,435 1157.79 1157.79 100
61 Sikkim East 2,83,583 909.28 909.28 100
62 Sikkim North 43,709 4114.56 4114.55 100
63 Sikkim South 1,46,850 705.15 705.15 100
64 West Bengal Darjiling 18,46,823 3076.97 1795.73 58.36
65 West Bengal Jalpaiguri 38,72,846 5995.18 5952.71 99.29
66 West Bengal Koch Bihar 28,19,086 3255.72 3255.72 100
Source : Survey of India and Census Data 2011
* Population is mentioned for the complete district
www.india-wris.nrsc.gov.in
B. Parliamentary Constituency Details
Sl. No. State Name Parliamentary Constituencies (2009) Total Area (Sq. Km) Area Falling in Basin % Area in the Basin
(Sq. Km)
1 Adjacent Countries 27.35 27.35 100
2 Arunachal Pradesh Arunachal West 39739.31 39739.29 100
3 Arunachal Pradesh Arunachal East 39612.85 39612.85 100
4 Assam Jorhat 4000.87 4000.87 100
5 Assam Dibrugarh 4768.67 4768.67 100
6 Assam Lakhimpur 7819.15 7819.15 100
7 Assam Autonomous District 14751.45 13847.97 93.88
8 Assam Guwahati 4630.82 4630.82 100
9 Assam Kokrajhar 6252.88 6252.88 100
10 Assam Silchar 3514.76 0.13 0
11 Assam Dhubri 4003.66 4003.66 100
12 Assam Barpeta 3526.27 3526.27 100
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Brahamaputra Basin
13 Assam Nagaon 4036.57 4036.57 100
14 Assam Mangaldoi 4373.46 4373.46 100
15 Assam Kaliabor 5073.29 5073.29 100
16 Assam Tezpur 5639.57 5639.57 100
17 Manipur Outer Manipur 20105.65 54.36 0.27
18 Meghalaya Shillong 13709.69 6387.13 46.59
19 Meghalaya Tura 7889.32 4237.23 53.71
20 Nagaland Nagaland 15980.45 10498.61 65.70
21 Sikkim Sikkim 6886.78 6886.78 100
22 West Bengal Darjiling 3475.94 1795.73 51.66
23 West Bengal Koch Bihar 2429.13 2429.13 100
24 West Bengal Alipurduars 3768 3767.99 100
25 West Bengal Jalpaiguri 3054.27 3011.80 98.61
Source : Election Commission of India
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Brahamaputra Basin
Annexure II : Climate – Rainfall (1971-2004) and Temperature (1969-2004) profile in the basin
A. Sub-Basin Wise Annual Rainfall (1971-2004)
Sl. No. Year Annual Rainfall (mm)
Brahmaputra Lower Sub Basin
Brahmaputra Upper Sub Basin
1 1971 2307.31 3470.72
2 1972 1885.44 3210.73
3 1973 2201.37 3365.87
4 1974 2676.49 4947.54
5 1975 2140.99 3109.46
6 1976 1877.87 2794.46
7 1977 2329.18 3754.78
8 1978 1966.84 2614.67
9 1979 1867.9 3216.49
10 1980 2162.18 3309.15
11 1981 2262.93 3645.2
12 1982 2104.48 3246.77
13 1983 2411.5 3313.45
14 1984 2581.82 3853.27
15 1985 2723.92 4051.94
16 1986 2295.59 3068.49
17 1987 2600.62 3547.79
18 1988 2839.29 2127.98
19 1989 2338.71 1776.57
20 1990 2398.89 3720
21 1991 2150.87 3704.21
22 1992 1720.65 2248.62
23 1993 2827.88 3660.66
24 1994 2073.43 2588.26
25 1995 3188.3 2499.71
26 1996 2745.12 2364.52
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Brahamaputra Basin
27 1997 2449.95 2118.06
28 1998 3309.02 2374.14
29 1999 3306.9 2568.94
30 2000 2697.69 2118.01
31 2001 1964.01 2422.92
32 2002 2023.09 2976.87
33 2003 2420.05 3205.43
34 2004 2387.89 3749.73
B. Temperature profile in the basin (36 Years Average for the period 1969-2004)
Sl. No. Month Maximum Temperature
(°C)
Minimum Temperature (°C)
Mean Temperature (°C)
1 January 28.34 16.16 22.25
2 February 31.94 20.36 26.15
3 March 33.47 22.53 28.29
4 April 34.58 25.67 30.43
5 May 35.4 27.21 31.31
6 June 36.32 30.41 33.87
7 July 36.17 32.47 35.57
8 August 38.79 34.25 37.48
9 September 35.8 31.65 34.99
10 October 34.91 29.23 33.35
11 November 32.6 21.5 27.05
12 December 29.89 17.56 23.72
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Brahamaputra Basin
Annexure III : Sub basin wise population and drinking water facilities
A. Demographic Details
Sl. No. Sub Basin No. of
Districts
No. Villages Total Population Male
Population
Female
Population
No. of
Households
1 Brahmaputra Lower 34 14055 14609928 7514946 7094982 2773604
2 Brahmaputra Upper 30 5995 2668572 1372095 1296478 501543
Source: Census Data 2001
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B. Drinking Water Facilities
Sl. No. Sub Basin District Wells Tubewells Handpumps
1 Brahmaputra Lower Kamrup 405 416 259
2 Brahmaputra Lower Karbi Anglong 1 1 0
3 Brahmaputra Lower Nagaon 552 637 229
4 Brahmaputra Lower Kokrajhar 113 30 7
5 Brahmaputra Lower West 0 0 0
6 Brahmaputra Lower East Khasi Hills 0 0 0
7 Brahmaputra Lower North 0 0 0
8 Brahmaputra Lower Cachar 428 204 112
9 Brahmaputra Lower Bongaigaon 528 501 56
10 Brahmaputra Lower East Garo Hills 0 0 0
11 Brahmaputra Lower Ri Bhoi 0 0 0
12 Brahmaputra Lower Sonitpur 707 632 327
13 Brahmaputra Lower Barpeta 510 532 110
14 Brahmaputra Lower Golaghat 69 236 81
15 Brahmaputra Lower North Cachar Hills 0 0 0
16 Brahmaputra Lower Darjiling 332 260 246
17 Brahmaputra Lower Goalpara 397 371 104
18 Brahmaputra Lower Papum Pare 0 0 0
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Brahamaputra Basin
19 Brahmaputra Lower South 0 0 0
20 Brahmaputra Lower West Garo Hills 0 0 0
21 Brahmaputra Lower West Kameng 0 0 0
22 Brahmaputra Lower Darrang 571 830 207
23 Brahmaputra Lower Jaintia Hills 0 0 0
24 Brahmaputra Lower Jalpaiguri 588 594 316
25 Brahmaputra Lower West Khasi Hills 0 0 0
26 Brahmaputra Lower East 0 0 0
27 Brahmaputra Lower Nalbari 374 547 186
28 Brahmaputra Lower East Kameng 0 0 0
29 Brahmaputra Lower Dhubri 710 817 346
30 Brahmaputra Lower Koch Bihar 371 818 624
31 Brahmaputra Lower Lakhimpur 572 626 245
32 Brahmaputra Lower Lower Subansiri 0 0 0
33 Brahmaputra Lower Marigaon 229 294 96
34 Brahmaputra Lower Tawang 0 0 0
35 Brahmaputra Upper Dhemaji 187 236 20
36 Brahmaputra Upper Karbi Anglong 1 1 0
37 Brahmaputra Upper Upper Siang 0 0 0
38 Brahmaputra Upper Mon 0 0 0
39 Brahmaputra Upper Tuensang 0 0 0
40 Brahmaputra Upper Kohima 0 0 0
41 Brahmaputra Upper Phek 0 0 0
42 Brahmaputra Upper Sonitpur 707 632 327
43 Brahmaputra Upper Wokha 0 0 0
44 Brahmaputra Upper Dibang Valley 0 0 0
45 Brahmaputra Upper Golaghat 69 236 81
46 Brahmaputra Upper Dibrugarh 464 608 30
47 Brahmaputra Upper Mokokchung 0 0 0
48 Brahmaputra Upper North Cachar Hills 0 0 0
49 Brahmaputra Upper Changlang 0 0 0
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Brahamaputra Basin
50 Brahmaputra Upper Lohit 0 0 0
51 Brahmaputra Upper Papum Pare 0 0 0
52 Brahmaputra Upper Tinsukia 136 250 18
53 Brahmaputra Upper Tirap 0 0 0
54 Brahmaputra Upper East Siang 0 0 0
55 Brahmaputra Upper Jorhat 138 475 85
56 Brahmaputra Upper Senapati (Excl. 3 subdivisions)
0 0 0
57 Brahmaputra Upper Sibsagar 118 492 143
58 Brahmaputra Upper Upper Subansiri 0 0 0
59 Brahmaputra Upper East Kameng 0 0 0
60 Brahmaputra Upper Lakhimpur 572 626 245
61 Brahmaputra Upper Lower Subansiri 0 0 0
62 Brahmaputra Upper Dimapur 0 0 0
63 Brahmaputra Upper West Siang 0 0 0
64 Brahmaputra Upper Zunheboto 0 0 0
Source : Census Data 2001
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74

River
Type of Dam
Year of
completion
Catchment
Area (Sq.km.)
Length of dam
(m)
Max height
above
foundation (m)
Gross storage
capacity
(MCM)
Live storage
capacity
(MCM)
Type of
spillway
Submergence
Area (Th Ha)
Purpose
Brahamaputra Basin
Annexure IV : Inventory of surface water resources
A. List of Dams with surrogate information
Sl.
No.
Name of Dam
1 Umiam Umiam Earthen / 1965 221.50 175 73 171.10 131.70 1.02 HE
Gravity /
Masonry
2 Umtru Umtru Earthen / 1957 24 HE,WS,IR
Gravity /
Masonry
3 Rangpo Rangpo HE
4 Rongli Rongli HE
5 Umrong Umrong Earthen 1982 143 30 55.50 0.92 HE
6 Khandong Kopili Earthen 1987 243 61 129.5 1.32 HE
7 Ranganadi Ranga Gravity /
340 68 21.28 5.7 HE
Masonry
8 Doyang Doyang Earthen 462 92 565 400 HE,WS
9 Rangit-III Rangit Gravity /
105 45 1.10 HE,WS
Masonry
10 Nongkhylle Umtru 52 133 43 1.81 0.80 HE
11 Karbi Langpi Borpani Gravity /
197 35 HE
Masonry
12 Lower Teesta-IV Teesta Gravity /
511 30 36.63 7.91 HE
Masonry
13 Lower Teesta-III Teesta 18.36 6.8 HE
14 Teesta -V Teesta Gravity /
Masonry
2007 176.5 86.8 13.5 6.3 HE
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Brahamaputra Basin
15 Lower Subansiri Subansiri Gravity /
Masonry
16 Kyrdemkulai Umtru Gravity /
(Umiam st-III)
Masonry
284 130 1365 923 HE
1965 150 106.7 27.5 7.67 2.78 HE,WS,IR
B. List of BWA with surrogate information
Sl.
No.
www.india-wris.nrsc.gov.in
Name of B/W/A River Length (m) Height upto
crest (m)
Catchment area
(Th. ha.)
Design flood
discharge
(Cumecs)
1 Sukla Weir Sukla 156.06 1.85 1131.18 IR
2 Jamuna Weir Jamuna 302.36 3.5 3143.16 IR
3 Dzuza Barrage Dzuza 120 2544 IR
4 Longa Barrage Longa 86.58 4.65 565 IR
5 Pahumura Weir Pahumara 198.73 1841 IR
6 Bhumki Barrage Bhumki 65 3 170 IR
7 Teesta Barrage Teesta 921.5 28 20100 HE,IR
8 Barolia Barrage Borolia 92 1050 IR
9 Dikhari Barrage Dikhari 44 3.32 300 IR
10 Harguti Barrage Horguti 35 420 IR
11 Kaldiya Barrage Kaldiya 710 IR
12 Burisuti Barrage Burisuti 109 1500 IR
13 Dekadong Barrage Dekadong 340 IR
14 Karatowa Barrage Karatoya IR
15 Dhanishri Barrage Dhansiri 160 13.25 4250 HE,IR
16 Garufella Barrage IR
17 Champamati Barrage Champmati 258.50 2266 IR
18 Bordikarai Barrage Bordikarai 260.50 2260 IR
19 Rongai Valley Barrage Rongai 76.40 2600 IR,WS
20 Weir In Umiam Project IR
Purpose
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Brahamaputra Basin
21 Umiam-Umtru St-IV Weir 107 IR
22 Jaldhaka - I / Bindu Barrage Jaldhaka 52 HE,IR
C. Major/Medium irrigation projects with surrogate information
Sl.
No.
Name of Project Type River Tributary Status Year of
completion
GCA
(Th ha)
CCA
(Th ha)
Ultimate
Irri.
Potential
District/s
Benefitted
1 Teesta Barrage,
Phase -I, St.I,
Sub Stage I
Major Teesta Teesta Ongoing 342.30 527 Darjeeling,
Malda,
Kochbihar,
Jalpaiguri, North
Dinajpur, South
Dinajpur
2 Dhansiri Major Dhansiri Dhansiri Ongoing 70.87 41.68 83.37 Darrang ,
Udalguri
3 Pagladiya Major Pagladiya Paglaldiya Ongoing 54.16 40.74 54.16 Nalbari
4 Jamuna Major Jamuna Jamuna Completed 33.48 25.70 32.66 Nagaon & Karbi
Anglong
5 Integrated Kallong
Basin Lift Irr.
Major Bramhaputra Kallong Completed 29.95 21.45 21.45 Nagaon
6 Bordikarai Major Bordikarai Bordikarai Completed 29.15 16.99 34.04 Sunitpur
7 Champamati Major Champamati Champamati Ongoing 30 15.99 24.99 Kokrajhar
8 Sukla Major Major Puthimari Sukla Completed 1978 22.84 14.96 32.71 Kamrup
www.india-wris.nrsc.gov.in
77

Brahamaputra Basin
9 Kaliabor Lift Irr.
Scheme
Medium Bramhaputra Kallong Completed 14.58 9.80 13.58 Nagaon
10 Kaldiya Medium Kaldiya Kaldiya Completed 11.09 9.72 16.69 Barpeta
11 Borolia Medium Pagladiya Borolia Ongoing 12.70 8.91 13.56 Kamrup, Nalbari
12 Pahumara Medium Pahumara Pahumara Ongoing 11.57 8.90 12.95 Barpeta
13 Dzuza Medium Doyang Dzuza Ongoing 9.54 8.11 10.15 Dimapur,
kohima
14 Karatowa Medium Teesta Karatoya Completed 1969 5.58 8.90 Jalpaiguri
15 Dekadong Medium Beki Dekadong Completed 5.67 4.33 5.75 Barpeta
16 Bhumki Medium Bhumki Bhumki Completed 8.77 4 4.80 Barpeta
17 Longa Medium Gangadhar Longa Completed 1981 3.60 3.46 8.50 Kokrojjar
18 Buridihing Medium Buridihing Buridihing Ongoing 5.05 3.05 5.05 Dibrugarh
19 Rupahi Medium Rupahi Beki Completed 2002 9.65 2.87 5.67 Barpeta
20 Harguti Medium Jamuna Harguti Completed 1974 2.60 5.96 Karbi Anglong
21 Hawaipur Medium Kopilli Kopilli Completed 2002 4.25 2.43 3.89 Kabri Anglong
22 Dikharu Medium Jamuna Dikhari
/Dikharu
Completed 2.76 2.36 4.18 Karbi Anglong
www.india-wris.nrsc.gov.in
78

Brahamaputra Basin
D. Lift Irrigation projects with surrogate information
Sl.
No.
Name of Project
Off take
point
Type of
pump
No. of
pumps
Horse power of pumps Lift in m Discharge
(Cumec)
1 Buridihing Lift Irrigation Scheme River 7 4 pumps of 150hp each and 3
pumps of 75 hp each
2 Kallong Lift Irrigation Scheme River 29 Main 6 pumps of 650 hp each and
intermediate 32 of 75 hp and 42 of
60 hp on Kollong river basin and 24
of 75 hp on Sonai river basin
4.25
25.48
3 Hawaipur Lift Irrigation Scheme River Submersible 4 250 HP each 21 2.26
4 Kaliabor Medium Lift Irrigation
Scheme
River
E. Power house and projects with surrogate information
Sl.
No.
Power House
Hydro Electric
project
Type of
Development
Position
Altitud
e
above
MSL
(m)
No. of
Turbines
/Units
Total
Installed
Capacity
(MW)
Minimum Draw
Down Level
(MDDL)
Number
of
Penstock
1 Umiam Stage - I Umiam HE Storage Surface 810 4 36 960.12 2
2 Umiam Stage II Umiam HE Tailrace Surface 725 2 18 1
3 New Umtru Umtru HE Run of the river Surface 2 40 124.50
www.india-wris.nrsc.gov.in
79

Brahamaputra Basin
4 Umtru Umtru HE Run of the river Surface 4 11.20
5 Teesta Low St-IV Lower Teesta Run of the river with Surface 4 160 179 4
IV HE
small pondage
6 Khandong Stage-I Kopili HE Storage Surface 2 50 704.45 2
7 Kopili Kopili HE Storage Surface 4 200 592.83
8 Karbi Langpi Karbi Langpi HE Run of the river Surface 2 100 308 2
9 Dhanisiri I,II, III, IV, V Dhanisiri HE Canal Drop Canal
15 19.95
Drop
10 Lower Subansiri Subansiri Run of the river with Surface 8 2000
Lower HE small pondage
11 Jaldhaka - II Jaldhaka HE Tailrace Surface 2 8
12 Jaldhaka - I Jaldhaka HE Run of the river with Surface 3 27 587 1
small pondage
13 Rammam - II Rammam HE Run of the river with Surface 4 50 2
small pondage
14 Chuzachen Chuzachen HE Run of the river Surface 2 99 1
15 Rangit III Rangit - III HE Run of the river with Surface 495 3 60 627 1
small pondage
16 Teesta - V Teesta - V HE Run of the river with Under
3 510 3
small pondage Ground
17 Umiam-Umtru Stage-IV Umiam-Umtru Tailrace Surface 345 2 60 496 2
HE
18 Umiam-Umtru St-III Umiam-Umtru Tailrace Surface 510 2 60 675.13 2
HE
19 Doyang Doyang HE Storage Dam
Toe
3 75 306
20 Teesta Low Stage-III Teesta Low
Dam III HE
Run of the river with
small pondage
21 Ranganadi Ranganadi HE Run of the river with
small pondage
Surface 4 132 203 4
Surface 3 405 560 3
www.india-wris.nrsc.gov.in
80

Brahamaputra Basin
F. ERM projects with surrogate information
Sl. No. Name of Project River Status Year of completion Districts Benefitted Purpose
1 Improvement of Kulshik Kulshik Completed Darrabg Irrigation
2 Modernization of Sukla Sukla Kamrup Irrigation
3 Modernization of Jamuna Jamuna Completed 2009 Nagaon & Karbi Anglong Irrigation
www.india-wris.nrsc.gov.in
81

Brahamaputra Basin
Annexure V : Inventory of litholog well locations
A. Lithology in the Basin
Sl.
No.
Location
Depth
Drilled
(m)
Major
Lithology
Depth
to
bedroc
k (m)
Static water
level (m)
Discharge
(lps)
Draw
down
(m)
No. of zones
encountered
/trapped
Total
thickness
of zones
(m)
Major rock group
1 Rajgrh Bengali 137 Alluvium 9.32 NA NA NA
2 Rajgarhrrampur 109.20 Alluvium 9.32 12.47 11 1 12 Un-consolidated
Sediments
(Quaternary -Recent)
3 Kawadonga 50 Alluvium 1.44 1 10 Un-consolidated
Sediments
(Quaternary-Recent)
4 Tarajan 59.50 Alluvium 1.25 10.15 2 NA NA NA
5 Bokabil Tinali 37.70 Alluvium 3.46 1 10 Un-consolidated
Sediments
(Quaternary -Recent)
6 Chengeli NA NA NA
7 Jhargaon 202.20 NA NA NA
8 Sijubari-II 98 Alluvium 6.08 18.40 2 2 33 Un-consolidated
Sediments
(Quaternary -Recent)
9 Missamari 201.40 Alluvium 3.65 14.69 13 6 162 Un-consolidated
Sediments
(Quaternary -Recent)
10 Singri 88 Alluvium 14.10 3.20 6 2 27 Un-consolidated
Sediments
(Quaternary -Recent)
11 Palasbasti 167 Alluvium 3.30 13.25 2 4 82 Un-consolidated
www.india-wris.nrsc.gov.in
82

Brahamaputra Basin
Sediments
(Quaternary -Recent)
12 Rajabari 300 Alluvium 5.68 21.79 2 3 148 Un-consolidated
Sediments
(Quaternary -Recent)
13 Bahikhowa 200 Alluvium 3.08 7.26 1 7 113.5 Un-consolidated
Sediments
(Quaternary -Recent)
14 Golaght 158 Alluvium 10.90 11.24 9 5 77 Un-consolidated
Sediments
(Quaternary -Recent)
15 Newsettlement
digboi
157.55 Alluvium 6 10.52 5 84 Un-consolidated
Sediments
(Quaternary -Recent)
16 Nazirating 148.35 Alluvium 1.80 3.87 5 85 Un-consolidated
Sediments
(Quaternary -Recent)
17 Golf Fielddigboi 200.60 Alluivium 5 89 Un-consolidated
Sediments
(Quaternary -Recent)
18 Chabua 253.06 Alluvium 1.06 45.78 3 4 104 Un-consolidated
Sediments
(Quaternary -Recent)
19 Tengakhat 204.10 Alluvium 3.15 24.20 0 4 75 Un-consolidated
Sediments
(Quaternary -Recent)
20 Dirialgaon 129.30 0 0 0 NA NA NA
21 Dirialgaon 48.46 Alluvium 1.82 1 11 Un-consolidated
www.india-wris.nrsc.gov.in
83

Brahamaputra Basin
Sediments
(Quaternary -Recent)
22 Dihajanhabi 281.90 Alluvium 1.60 39.13 8 4 105 Un-consolidated
Sediments
(Quaternary -Recent)
23 Abhaypuria 201.10 Alluvium 2.04 8.58 6 2 67 Un-consolidated
Sediments
(Quaternary -Recent)
24 Nagaon (Santak) 155 Alluvium 11 2 27 Un-consolidated
Sediments
(Quaternary -Recent)
25 Athkhelgrant 200.70 Alluvium 2.04 8.78 6 1 12.06 Un-consolidated
Sediments
(Quaternary -Recent)
26 Kauripather 34.10 Alluvium 3.25 2.04 7 2 13.5 Un-consolidated
Sediments
(Quaternary -Recent)
27 Khatkhati 255.06 Tertiary 11.55 1.54 2 1 6 Un-consolidated
Sediments
(Quaternary -Recent)
28 Diphu 247.60 Tertiary 1 12 Un-consolidated
Sediments
(Quaternary -Recent)
www.india-wris.nrsc.gov.in
84

Brahamaputra Basin
29 Manikpur 88 Alluvium 5.25 7.95 2 40 Un-consolidated
Sediments
(Quaternary -Recent)
30 Kauripathar 76.70 Alluvium 0.30 2 22 Un-consolidated
Sediments
(Quaternary -Recent)
31 Orang 129 Alluvium 3.40 0 5 61 Un-consolidated
Sediments
(Quaternary -Recent)
32 Dogiapara NA NA NA
33 Madhabdanga 304.88 Bouldary
Formation
34 Uttarkharibari 36 Bouldary
Formation
35 Salugara 144 Bouldary
Formation
36 Malbazar 186 Bouldary
Formation
4.42 35.96 12 6 115.29 Un-consolidated
Sediments
(Quaternary -Recent)
NA NA NA
15.40 3 38 Un-consolidated
Sediments
(Quaternary -Recent)
5 5.17 17 8 118 Un-consolidated
Sediments
(Quaternary -Recent)
37 Jaigaon 95 Bouldary 12 2 27 Un-consolidated
Sediments
www.india-wris.nrsc.gov.in
85

Brahamaputra Basin
38 Nagaisuri Tea
Garden, Meteli
Block
Formation
189 Bouldary
Formation
(Quaternary -Recent)
21.39 2 6 10 115 Un-consolidated
Sediments
(Quaternary -Recent)
39 Lankapara 167 Bouldary
Formation
40 Patapukur 151.74 Bouldary
Formation
41 Baganbari 160.36 Bouldary
Formation
42 Falakata 75 Bouldary
Formation
90 21 2 77 Un-consolidated
Sediments
(Quaternary -Recent)
5.71 55 6 1 61 Un-consolidated
Sediments
(Quaternary -Recent)
3.11 42.40 4 4 80 Un-consolidated
Sediments
(Quaternary -Recent)
5.08 18.98 8 3 24 Un-consolidated
Sediments
(Quaternary -Recent)
43 Phalimari 306.71 Alluvium 4.38 45.83 4 5 138.77 Un-consolidated
Sediments
(Quaternary -Recent)
44 Dharambanikuti 290.24 Alluvium 0.63 33.89 6 4 119.64 Un-consolidated
Sediments
(Quaternary -Recent)
www.india-wris.nrsc.gov.in
86

Brahamaputra Basin
45 Dewanhat 167.68 Alluvium 1.10 27.31 10 4 87.74 Un-consolidated
Sediments
(Quaternary -Recent)
46 Kanubari 108.89 Tertiary 8.56 11.66 14 4 71 Semi-Consolidated
Sediments
(Carboniferous -
Pliocene and other
ages)
47 Bongaigaon
College
NA NA NA
48 Kalbari 100.05 3.50 9.90 3 3 48 NA
49 Gerukabari 81.25 3.03 10.56 2 59 NA
50 Keotkuchi 299.92 Alluvium 3.98 34.56 3 6 123 Un-consolidated
Sediments
(Quaternary -Recent)
51 Mandia 203.25 2.39 10.56 1 3 68 NA
52 Sonapur 73.60 2.55 0.68 8 1 12 NA
53 Rangamati 189.45 4.33 2.68 0 2 56 NA
54 Sakhati 181.50 5.92 1.63 3 5 70 NA
55 W. Sualkuchi 62.50 4.53 0.41 1 7 NA
www.india-wris.nrsc.gov.in
87

Brahamaputra Basin
56 Krishna Nagar 191 0 0.35 1 1 NA
57 Bargaon (singra) 120.70 4.10 1 4 NA
58 Siddheswartem
ple
113 9.53 4.18 111 1 10.9 NA
59 Balijuri 200.70 Hard rock 2.85 5.15 6 5 95 Consolidated
Sediments (Pre-
Cambrian -Devonian
and other ages)
60 Sensowa 201.65 Hard rock 2.10 12.03 3 3 78 Consolidated
Sediments (Pre-
Cambrian -Devonian
and other ages)
61 Dakhin Pat 200 NA NA NA
www.india-wris.nrsc.gov.in
88

Brahamaputra Basin
Annexure VI : Salient features of hydro-meteorological stations
A. Salient features of Hydro-meteorological Stations
Sl.
No
Station
Name
Station
type
Independent
river
Regional
office
Circle Division Sub
division
Section
office
Drainage
area (Sq.
Km.)
Zero
of
Gaug
e (m)
Stati
on
bank
Status
1 Bijni G Brahamaputra B & B BO,
Shillong
2 Deopani GDS Brahamaputra B & B BO,
Shillong
3 Kopupanu G Brahamaputra B & B BO,
Shillong
4 Lish G Brahamaputra B & B BO,
Shillong
5 Bonsoi GD Brahamaputra TBO,
Siliguri
6 Bhomoraguri
GDQ Brahamaputra B & B BO,
Shillong
7 Bihubar GQ Brahamaputra B & B BO,
Shillong
8 Bokajan GQ Brahamaputra B & B BO,
Shillong
9 Chungthang GDS Brahamaputra TBO,
Siliguri
www.india-wris.nrsc.gov.in
H.O.Circle,
Guwahati
H.O.Circle,
Guwahati
Investigation
Circle,
Gangtok,
Sikkim
H.O.Circle,
Guwahati
H.O.Circle,
Guwahati
H.O.Circle,
Guwahati
Investigati
on Circle,
Gangtok,
Sikkim
L Brahmaputra
Div., Jalpaiguri
L Brahmaputra
Div., Jalpaiguri
Sikkim
Investigation
Division,
Gangtok
U Brahmaputra
Div., Dibrugarh
U Brahmaputra
Div., Dibrugarh
U Brahmaputra
Div., Dibrugarh
Sikkim
Investigation
Division,
Gangtok
Manas,
Barpeta
Road
Manas,
Barpeta
Road
120 Left Closed
Closed
Closed
153 Left Closed
Existing
Existing
Existing
Existing
Existing
89

Brahamaputra Basin
10 Jiadhalmukh G Brahamaputra B & B BO,
Shillong
11 Kampur GQ Brahamaputra B & B BO,
Shillong
12 Kokrajhar GDSQ Brahamaputra B & B BO,
Shillong
13 Kulsi GDSQ Brahamaputra B & B BO,
Shillong
14 Mago Chu GD Brahamaputra B & B BO,
Shillong
15 Majhitar GQ Brahamaputra B & B BO,
Shillong
16 Mathanguri GQ Brahamaputra B & B BO,
Shillong
17 Mekhliganj GDQ Brahamaputra B & B BO,
Shillong
18 Namsai GQ Brahamaputra B & B BO,
Shillong
19 NH-31 GDSQ Brahamaputra B & B BO,
(Jaldhaka)
Shillong
H.O.Circle,
Guwahati
H.O.Circle,
Guwahati
H.O.Circle,
Guwahati
H.O.Circle,
Guwahati
NEIC,
Shillong
H.O.Circle,
Guwahati
H.O.Circle,
Guwahati
H.O.Circle,
Guwahati
H.O.Circle,
Guwahati
H.O.Circle,
Guwahati
U Brahmaputra
Div., Dibrugarh
U Brahmaputra
Div., Dibrugarh
L Brahmaputra
Div., Jalpaiguri
M Brahmaputra
Div., Guwahati
NEI Div. III,
Itanagar
L Brahmaputra
Div., Jalpaiguri
L Brahmaputra
Div., Jalpaiguri
L Brahmaputra
Div., Jalpaiguri
U Brahmaputra
Div., Dibrugarh
L Brahmaputra
Div., Jalpaiguri
MANAS,
Barpeta
road.
M
Brahma
putra
SD,Guw
ahati
U
Teesta
U Mahananda,Si
liguri
Manas,
Barpeta
Road
Jaldhaka
L
Teesta,
Jalpaigu
ri
Jaldhaka
L
Teesta,
Existing
Existing
770 35 Left Existing
2500 48 Right Existing
1397 273.0
9
Left
Existing
Existing
25000 Left Existing
10205 60 Right Existing
Existing
1590 74 Right Existing
www.india-wris.nrsc.gov.in
90

Brahamaputra Basin
20 Tezpur GQ Brahamaputra B & B BO,
Shillong
21 Tezu GQ Brahamaputra B & B BO,
Shillong
22 Tuting GDQ Brahamaputra B & B BO,
Shillong
23 Udaipur GDQ Brahamaputra B & B BO,
Shillong
24 Teesta- GDQ Brahamaputra B & B BO,
Bazar
Shillong
25 Sagbari Teesta B & B BO,
Shillong
26 Kundilbarra
ge
G Brahamaputra B & B BO,
Shillong
27 Miao GQ Brahamaputra B & B BO,
Shillong
28 Saralpara G Brahamaputra B & B BO,
Shillong
29 Barabisha GDSQ Brahamaputra B & B BO,
Shillong
H.O.Circle,
Guwahati
H.O.Circle,
Guwahati
H.O.Circle,
Guwahati
H.O.Circle,
Guwahati
H.O.Circle,
Guwahati
Investigati
on Circle,
Gangtok,
Sikkim
H.O.Circle,
Guwahati
H.O.Circle,
Guwahati
H.O.Circle,
Guwahati
U Brahmaputra
Div., Dibrugarh
U Brahmaputra
Div., Dibrugarh
U Brahmaputra
Div., Dibrugarh
U Brahmaputra
Div., Dibrugarh
L Brahmaputra
Div., Jalpaiguri
Sikkim
Investigation
Division,
Gangtok
U Brahmaputra
Div., Dibrugarh
L Brahmaputra
Div., Jalpaiguri
L Brahmaputra
Div., Jalpaiguri
Jalpaigu
ri
U
Teesta
U
Mahana
nda,Silig
uri
Manas,
Barpeta
Road
Torsa-
Raidak-
Sankos,
Kochbe
har
Existing
Existing
Existing
Existing
7714 200 Right Existing
981 Existing
Closed
Existing
125 Left Closed
4573 40 Left Existing
www.india-wris.nrsc.gov.in
91

Brahamaputra Basin
30 Behalpur GQ Brahamaputra B & B BO,
Shillong
31 Badatighat GQ Brahamaputra B & B BO,
Shillong
32 Beki Road GDQ Brahamaputra B & B BO,
Bridge
Shillong
33 Bhalukpong GDQ Brahamaputra B & B BO,
Shillong
34 Chel GQ Brahamaputra B & B BO,
Shillong
35 Chenimari
(Khowang)
GDSQ Brahamaputra B & B BO,
Shillong
36 Chepan GDQ Brahamaputra B & B BO,
Shillong
37 Chouldhowa
ghat
GDSQ Brahamaputra B & B BO,
Shillong
38 Coronation GQ Brahamaputra B & B BO,
Shillong
39 Daporizo G Brahamaputra B & B BO,
Shillong
H.O.Circle,
Guwahati
H.O.Circle,
Guwahati
H.O.Circle,
Guwahati
H.O.Circle,
Guwahati
H.O.Circle,
Guwahati
H.O.Circle,
Guwahati
H.O.Circle,
Guwahati
H.O.Circle,
Guwahati
H.O.Circle,
Guwahati
H.O.Circle,
Guwahati
L Brahmaputra
Div., Jalpaiguri
U Brahmaputra
Div., Dibrugarh
L Brahmaputra
Div., Jalpaiguri
U Brahmaputra
Div., Dibrugarh
L Brahmaputra
Div., Jalpaiguri
U Brahmaputra
Div., Dibrugarh
L Brahmaputra
Div., Jalpaiguri
U Brahmaputra
Div., Dibrugarh
L Brahmaputra
Div., Jalpaiguri
U Brahmaputra
Div., Dibrugarh
Manas,
Barpeta
Road
MANAS,
Barpeta
road.
Jaldhaka
L
Teesta,
Jalpaigu
ri
Torsa-
Raidak-
Sankos,
Kochbe
har
U
Teesta
U
Mahana
nda,Silig
uri
1220 Right Existing
Existing
7320 36 Right Existing
Existing
103 136 Left Existing
Existing
124 40 Left Existing
Existing
8147 140 Right Existing
Existing
www.india-wris.nrsc.gov.in
92

Brahamaputra Basin
40 Lachung GDS Brahamaputra TBO,
Siliguri
41 Lemeking GDQ Brahamaputra B & B BO,
Shillong
42 Sankalang GDS Brahamaputra TBO,
Siliguri
43 Rothak GD Brahamaputra TBO,
Siliguri
44 Sankalan GQ Brahamaputra B & B BO,
Shillong
45 Khanitar GQ Brahamaputra B & B BO,
Shillong
46 Khanitar G Brahmaputra B & B BO,
Shillong
47 Sutaley GDS Brahamaputra TBO,
Siliguri
48 Reshi GDS Brahamaputra TBO,
Siliguri
Investigati
on Circle,
Gangtok,
Sikkim
H.O.Circle,
Guwahati
Investigati
on Circle,
Gangtok,
Sikkim
Investigati
on Circle,
Gangtok,
Sikkim
H.O.Circle,
Guwahati
H.O.Circle,
Guwahati
S.E.,
B&BBO
Investigati
on Circle,
Sikkim
Investigation
Division,
Gangtok
U Brahmaputra
Div., Dibrugarh
Sikkim
Investigation
Division,
Gangtok
Sikkim
Investigation
Division,
Gangtok
L Brahmaputra
Div., Jalpaiguri
L Brahmaputra
Div., Jalpaiguri
Sikkim
Investigation
U
Teesta
U
Mahana
nda,Silig
uri
U
Teesta
U
Mahana
nda,Silig
uri
Existing
Existing
Existing
Existing
4200 750 Left Existing
5100 288.8
2
Left
Existing
Existing
Existing
Existing
www.india-wris.nrsc.gov.in
93

Brahamaputra Basin
49 Toyum GDS Brahamaputra TBO,
Siliguri
50 Tawang Chu
(Muruga
Bridge)
51 Aie NH
Crossing
GDS Brahamaputra B & B BO,
Shillong
GQ Brahamaputra B & B BO,
Shillong
52 Bana G Brahamaputra B & B BO,
Shillong
53 Ghish GQ Brahamaputra B & B BO,
Shillong
54 Hayuliang G Brahamaputra B & B BO,
Shillong
55 Ghugumari GDSQ Brahamaputra B & B BO,
Shillong
56 Goalpara G Brahamaputra B & B BO,
Shillong
Gangtok,
Sikkim
Investigati
on Circle,
Gangtok,
Sikkim
NEIC,
Shillong
H.O.Circle,
Guwahati
H.O.Circle,
Guwahati
H.O.Circle,
Guwahati
H.O.Circle,
Guwahati
H.O.Circle,
Guwahati
H.O.Circle,
Guwahati
Division,
Gangtok
Sikkim
Investigation
Division,
Gangtok
NEI Div. III,
Itanagar
L Brahmaputra
Div., Jalpaiguri
U Brahmaputra
Div., Dibrugarh
L Brahmaputra
Div., Jalpaiguri
U Brahmaputra
Div., Dibrugarh
L Brahmaputra
Div., Jalpaiguri
M Brahmaputra
Div., Guwahati
Manas,
Barpeta
Road
Jaldhaka
L
Teesta,
Jalpaigu
ri
Torsa-
Raidak-
Sankos,
Kochbe
har
M
Brahma
putra
SD,Guw
ahati
168 Existing
Existing
38176 Left Existing
156 160.1
1
Left
Existing
Existing
Existing
4530 35 Right Existing
463220 27 Left Existing
57 Golaghat GDSQ Brahamaputra B & B BO, H.O.Circle, U Brahmaputra Existing
www.india-wris.nrsc.gov.in
94

Brahamaputra Basin
Shillong Guwahati Div., Dibrugarh
58 Golokganj GQ Brahamaputra B & B BO, H.O.Circle, L Brahmaputra
Shillong Guwahati Div., Jalpaiguri
59 Guwahati G Brahamaputra B & B BO,
Shillong
60 Hasimara GDSQ Brahamaputra B & B BO,
Shillong
www.india-wris.nrsc.gov.in
H.O.Circle,
Guwahati
H.O.Circle,
Guwahati
61 Jagibhakatg
aon
GDSQ Brahamaputra B & B BO,
Shillong
H.O.Circle,
Guwahati
62 Jiabharali GQ Brahamaputra B & B BO, H.O.Circle,
NT Road
Shillong Guwahati
Crossing
63 Jiagaon G Brahamaputra S.E.,
B&BBO
64 Kambang G Brahamaputra B & B BO, H.O.Circle,
(Kabu)
Shillong Guwahati
65 Kheronighat GQ Brahamaputra B & B BO, H.O.Circle,
Shillong Guwahati
66 Kibithu GDQ Brahamaputra B & B BO, H.O.Circle,
Shillong Guwahati
67 Manas NH GDQ Brahamaputra B & B BO, H.O.Circle,
Crossing
Shillong Guwahati
M Brahmaputra
Div., Guwahati
L Brahmaputra
Div., Jalpaiguri
U Brahmaputra
Div., Dibrugarh
U Brahmaputra
Div., Dibrugarh
U Brahmaputra
Div., Dibrugarh
U Brahmaputra
Div., Dibrugarh
U Brahmaputra
Div., Dibrugarh
L Brahmaputra
Div., Jalpaiguri
Torsa-
Raidak-
Sankos,
Kochbe
har
M
Brahma
putra
SD,Guw
ahati
Torsa-
Raidak-
Sankos,
Kochbe
har
Manas,
Barpeta
Road
8521 20 Left Existing
416990 40 Left Existing
3920 110 Left Existing
Existing
Existing
Existing
Existing
Existing
Existing
34160 42 Right Existing
95

Brahamaputra Basin
68 Margherita GQ Brahamaputra B & B BO,
Shillong
69 Mathabhan GDSQ Brahamaputra B & B BO,
ga
Shillong
70 Matunga G Brahamaputra B & B BO,
Shillong
71 Murti GQ Brahamaputra B & B BO,
Shillong
72 Nagrakata GQ Brahamaputra B & B BO,
Shillong
73 Naharkatia GQ Brahamaputra B & B BO,
Shillong
74 Pancharatna GDSQ Brahamaputra B & B BO,
Shillong
75 Nanglamora
ghat
GQ Brahamaputra B & B BO,
Shillong
H.O.Circle,
Guwahati
H.O.Circle,
Guwahati
H.O.Circle,
Guwahati
H.O.Circle,
Guwahati
H.O.Circle,
Guwahati
H.O.Circle,
Guwahati
H.O.Circle,
Guwahati
H.O.Circle,
Guwahati
U Brahmaputra
Div., Dibrugarh
L Brahmaputra
Div., Jalpaiguri
M Brahmaputra
Div., Guwahati
L Brahmaputra
Div., Jalpaiguri
L Brahmaputra
Div., Jalpaiguri
U Brahmaputra
Div., Dibrugarh
M Brahmaputra
Div., Guwahati
U Brahmaputra
Div., Dibrugarh
Torsa-
Raidak-
Sankos,
Coochb
ehar
Puthima
ri-
Pagladiy
a
SD,Nalb
ari
Jaldhaka
L
Teesta,
Jalpaigu
ri
Jaldhaka
L
Teesta,
Jalpaigu
ri
M
Brahma
putra
SD,Guw
ahati
Existing
3039 40 Right Existing
45 Left Existing
180 136 Right Existing
804 155.3
2
Left
Existing
Existing
468790 27 Left Existing
Existing
www.india-wris.nrsc.gov.in
96

Brahamaputra Basin
76 Neamatigha
t
GQ Brahamaputra B & B BO,
Shillong
77 Neora GQ Brahamaputra B & B BO,
Shillong
78 Numaligarh GQ Brahamaputra B & B BO,
Shillong
79 Nuranang GDS Brahamaputra B & B BO,
Chu
Shillong
80 Nyukcharon G Brahamaputra B & B BO,
g Chu
Shillong
81 Pagladiya G Brahamaputra B & B BO,
N.T.Road
Shillong
Crossing
82 Panbari GQ Brahamaputra B & B BO,
Shillong
83 Passighat GDQ Brahamaputra B & B BO,
Shillong
84 Pandu GDSQ Brahamaputra B & B BO,
Shillong
H.O.Circle,
Guwahati
H.O.Circle,
Guwahati
H.O.Circle,
Guwahati
NEIC,
Shillong
NEIC,
Shillong
H.O.Circle,
Guwahati
H.O.Circle,
Guwahati
H.O.Circle,
Guwahati
U Brahmaputra
Div., Dibrugarh
L Brahmaputra
Div., Jalpaiguri
U Brahmaputra
Div., Dibrugarh
NEI Div. III,
Itanagar
NEI Div. III,
Itanagar
M Brahmaputra
Div., Guwahati
L Brahmaputra
Div., Jalpaiguri
M Brahmaputra
Div., Guwahati
Jaldhaka
L
Teesta,
Jalpaigu
ri
Puthima
ri-
Pagladiy
a
SD,Nalb
ari
Manas,
Barpeta
Road
M
Brahma
putra
SD,Guw
ahati
Existing
158 Left Existing
Existing
Existing
Existing
830 48 Left Existing
120 52 Right Existing
Existing
417100 39 Left Existing
85 Rong Chu GD Brahamaputra B & B BO, NEIC, NEI Div. III,
Existing
Shillong Shillong Itanagar
86 Puthimari G Brahamaputra B & B BO, H.O.Circle, M Brahmaputra Puthima 1000 Existing
www.india-wris.nrsc.gov.in
97

Brahamaputra Basin
D.R.F Shillong Guwahati Div., Guwahati ri-
Pagladiy
a
SD,Nalb
ari
87 Puthimari
N.H
Crossing
88 NT-Road
Crossing(Ra
nganadi)
G Brahamaputra B & B BO,
Shillong
GDQ Brahamaputra B & B BO,
Shillong
89 Rangpo GQ Brahamaputra B & B BO,
Shillong
90 Tufanganj GDQ Brahamaputra B & B BO,
Shillong
91 Singla-Bazar GQ Brahamaputra B & B BO,
Shillong
H.O.Circle,
Guwahati
H.O.Circle,
Guwahati
H.O.Circle,
Guwahati
H.O.Circle,
Guwahati
H.O.Circle,
Guwahati
M Brahmaputra
Div., Guwahati
U Brahmaputra
Div., Dibrugarh
L Brahmaputra
Div., Jalpaiguri
L Brahmaputra
Div., Jalpaiguri
L Brahmaputra
Div., Jalpaiguri
Puthima
ri-
Pagladiy
a
SD,Nalb
ari
U
Teesta
U
Mahana
nda,Silig
uri
Torsa-
Raidak-
Sankos,
Coochb
ehar
U
Teesta
U
Mahana
nda,Silig
uri
1300 44 Left Existing
Existing
531 296 Left Existing
520 26.70 Right Existing
217 303 Existing
92 Yazali G Brahamaputra B & B BO, H.O.Circle, U Brahmaputra Existing
www.india-wris.nrsc.gov.in
98

Brahamaputra Basin
Shillong Guwahati Div., Dibrugarh
93 Yingkiang G Brahamaputra B & B BO,
Shillong
H.O.Circle,
Guwahati
U Brahmaputra
Div., Dibrugarh
94 Yusum GDS Brahamaputra B & B BO,
Village
Shillong
95 Sankosh GDSQ Brahamaputra B & B BO, H.O.Circle, L Brahmaputra
Shillong Guwahati Div., Jalpaiguri
96 Seppa GQ Brahamaputra B & B BO,
Shillong
97 Sevoke GQ Brahamaputra B & B BO,
Shillong
98 Sivasagar GDSQ Brahamaputra B & B BO,
Shillong
99 Sonapur GDSQ Brahamaputra B & B BO,
Shillong
10
0
Suklai G Brahamaputra B & B BO,
Shillong
H.O.Circle,
Guwahati
H.O.Circle,
Guwahati
H.O.Circle,
Guwahati
H.O.Circle,
Guwahati
H.O.Circle,
Guwahati
U Brahmaputra
Div., Dibrugarh
L Brahmaputra
Div., Jalpaiguri
U Brahmaputra
Div., Dibrugarh
M Brahmaputra
Div., Guwahati
M Brahmaputra
Div., Guwahati
Torsa-
Raidak-
Sankos,
Coochb
ehar
U
Teesta
U
Mahana
nda,Silig
uri
M
Brahma
putra
SD,Guw
ahati
Puthima
ri-
Pagladiy
a
SD,Nalb
ari
Existing
Existing
8230 40 Left Existing
Existing
8179 140 Right Existing
Existing
1210 50 Right Existing
25 Left Existing
10 Desangpani GQ Brahamaputra B & B BO, H.O.Circle, U Brahmaputra Existing
www.india-wris.nrsc.gov.in
99

Brahamaputra Basin
1 Shillong Guwahati Div., Dibrugarh
10
2
Dharamtul GQ Brahamaputra B & B BO,
Shillong
H.O.Circle,
Guwahati
U Brahmaputra
Div., Dibrugarh
10 Dhemaji G Brahamaputra B & B BO, H.O.Circle, U Brahmaputra
3
Shillong Guwahati Div., Dibrugarh
10 Dholabazar GQ Brahamaputra B & B BO, H.O.Circle, U Brahmaputra
4
Shillong Guwahati Div., Dibrugarh
10 Dhubri GQ Brahamaputra B & B BO, H.O.Circle, L Brahmaputra
5
Shillong Guwahati Div., Jalpaiguri
10
6
10
7
10
8
10
9
11
0
11
1
Diana G Brahamaputra B & B BO,
Shillong
Dibrugarh GQ Brahamaputra B & B BO,
Shillong
Dillighat GQ Brahamaputra B & B BO,
Shillong
Domohani GDSQ Brahamaputra B & B BO,
Shillong
Dudhnai GDSQ Brahamaputra B & B BO,
Shillong
Gazaldoba GQ Brahamaputra B & B BO,
Shillong
www.india-wris.nrsc.gov.in
H.O.Circle,
Guwahati
H.O.Circle,
Guwahati
H.O.Circle,
Guwahati
H.O.Circle,
Guwahati
H.O.Circle,
Guwahati
H.O.Circle,
Guwahati
L Brahmaputra
Div., Jalpaiguri
U Brahmaputra
Div., Dibrugarh
U Brahmaputra
Div., Dibrugarh
L Brahmaputra
Div., Jalpaiguri
M Brahmaputra
Div., Guwahati
L Brahmaputra
Div., Jalpaiguri
Manas,
Barpeta
Road
Jaldhaka
L
Teesta,
Jalpaigu
ri
Jaldhaka
L
Teesta,
Jalpaigu
ri
M
Brahma
putra
SD,Guw
ahati
Jaldhaka
L
Teesta,
Existing
Existing
Existing
476560 Right Existing
160 192 Left Existing
Existing
Existing
9432 88 Left Existing
476 45 Left Existing
8503 110 Right Existing
100

Brahamaputra Basin
11
2
11
3
11
4
Gelabil G Brahamaputra S.E.,
B&BBO
Motipur G Brahamaputra S.E.,
B&BBO
Talangchu GD Brahmputra TBO, TBO,
Siliguri Siliguri
Jalpaigu
ri
Existing
Existing
Existing
B. Salient features of Flood-Forecasting Stations
Sl.
No.
Site Name
Met Sub
Division
Indepen
dent
river
Type
of
Forec
ast
Base
Station-1
Travel
Time
Base
Statio
n-1
(hrs)
Base
Station-
2 (hrs)
Travel
Time
Base
Station-
2
Full
Reservo
ir Level
(m)
Max
Reservo
ir Level
(m)
Highest
Flood
Level
(m)
Year of
H.F.L
Mode of
Collecti
on
1 Badatighat Assam and
Meghalaya
Braham
aputra
Level
Forec
ast
Chouldho
waghat
18 86.84 1972 Wireless
2 Road Bridge Assam and
Meghalaya
Braham
aputra
Level
Forec
ast
Kurijampa,
(Bhutan)
12 46.20 2000 Wireless
3 Chenimari
(Khowang)
Assam and
Meghalaya
Braham
aputra
Level
Forec
ast
Naharkatia 21 103.92 1988 Wireless
www.india-wris.nrsc.gov.in
101

Brahamaputra Basin
4 Dharamtul Assam and
Meghalaya
Braham
aputra
Level
Forec
ast
Kampur 15 58.09 2004 Wireless
5 Dhubri Assam and
Meghalaya
Braham
aputra
Level
Forec
ast
Goalpara 15 30.36 1988 Wireless
/
Telemet
ry
6 Dibrugarh Assam and
Meghalaya
Braham
aputra
Level
Forec
ast
Passighat 12 Tezu 12 106.48 1998 Wireless
/
Telemet
ry
7 Domohani
Road Bridge
Sub-
Himalayan
West
Bengal and
Sikkim
Braham
aputra
Level
Forec
ast
Tista
Bazaar
8 Ghista 4-6 89.30 1968 Wireless
8 Ghughumari Sub-
Himalayan
West
Bengal and
Sikkim
Braham
aputra
Level
Forec
ast
Hasimara 8 41.46 2000 Wireless
9 Goalpara Assam and
Meghalaya
Braham
aputra
Level
Forec
ast
Guwahati 24 37.43 1954 Wireless
/
Telemet
www.india-wris.nrsc.gov.in
102

Brahamaputra Basin
ry
10 Golaghat Assam and
Meghalaya
Braham
aputra
Level
Forec
ast
Bokajan 14 Gelabil 14 91.30 1986 Wireless
11 Golokganj Assam and
Meghalaya
Braham
aputra
Level
Forec
ast
Sankosh
LRP
12 Barabisa 12 30.95 2007 Wireless
/
Telemet
ry
12 Guwahati D
C Court
Assam and
Meghalaya
Braham
aputra
Level
Forec
ast
Tezpur 24 51.46 2004 Wireless
/
Telemet
ry
13 N T Road
Crossing
Assam and
Meghalaya
Braham
aputra
Level
Forec
ast
Seppa 9 78.50 2007 Wireless
14 Kampur Assam and
Meghalaya
Braham
aputra
Level
Forec
ast
Kheronigh
at
24 61.86 1973 Wireless
15 N H Crossing Assam and
Meghalaya
Braham
aputra
Level
Forec
ast
Panbari 6 50.08 1984 Wireless
16 Mathabhang
a
Sub-
Himalayan
Braham
aputra
Level
Forec
N H 31 6 49.85 2007 Wireless
www.india-wris.nrsc.gov.in
103

Brahamaputra Basin
West
Bengal and
Sikkim
ast
17 Mekhligunj Sub-
Himalayan
West
Bengal and
Sikkim
Braham
aputra
Level
Forec
ast
Domohani
Rd Brdige
6 66.45 1996 Wireless
18 Naharkatia Assam and
Meghalaya
Braham
aputra
Level
Forec
ast
Margherit
a
10 122.69 1973 Wireless
19 Nanglamora
ghat
Assam and
Meghalaya
Braham
aputra
Level
Forec
ast
Dillighat 18 96.49 1998 Wireless
20 Neamatighat Assam and
Meghalaya
Braham
aputra
Level
Forec
ast
Dibrugarh 24 Chenim
ari
24 87.37 1991 Wireless
/
Telemet
ry
21 N H 31 Sub-
Himalayan
West
Bengal and
Sikkim
Braham
aputra
Level
Forec
ast
Nagarakat
a
6 Diana 6 81.33 1972 Wireless
22 Numaligarh Assam and Braham Level Golaghat 10 79.87 1985 Wireless
www.india-wris.nrsc.gov.in
104

Brahamaputra Basin
Meghalaya aputra Forec
ast
23 N T Road
Crossing
Assam and
Meghalaya
Braham
aputra
Level
Forec
ast
Melabazar 12 55.45 2004 Wireless
/
Telemet
ry
24 N H Crossing Assam and
Meghalaya
Braham
aputra
Level
Forec
ast
DRF 13 55.08 2008 Wireless
/
Telemet
ry
25 Sibsagar Assam and
Meghalaya
Braham
aputra
Level
Forec
ast
Bihubar 9 95.62 1974 Wireless
26 Tezpur Assam and
Meghalaya
Braham
aputra
Level
Forec
ast
Neamatigh
at
24 66.59 1988 Wireless
/
Telemet
ry
27 Tufangunj Sub-
Himalayan
West
Bengal and
Sikkim
Braham
aputra
Level
Forec
ast
Chepan 12 36.36 1993 Wireless
www.india-wris.nrsc.gov.in
105

Brahamaputra Basin
Annexure VII : Inventory of water tourism sites
www.india-wris.nrsc.gov.in
A. Water Tourism Sites in the Basin
Sl.
Name Type Waterbody WB Relation District State
No.
1 Elephant Waterfall Waterfall Elephant Falls On East Khasi Hills Meghalaya
2 Pelga Waterfall Waterfall Ganol River On West Garo Hills Meghalaya
3 Sweet Waterfall Waterfall Sweet Falls On East Khasi Hills Meghalaya
4 Spread Eagle fall Waterfall Spread Eagle Falls On East Khasi Hills Meghalaya
5 Koya-kujiya Lake Lake Koya-Kujiya Lake On Bongaigaon Assam
6 Ganga Pukhuri Pilgrimage (Temple) Ganga Pukhuri On Nalbari Assam
7 Mahmara Pukhuri Pilgrimage (Temple) Mahmara Pukhuri On Nalbari Assam
8 Pokhi Tirtha (Samaguri Tourist Spot Samaguri Bill On Nagaon Assam
Bill)
9 Agnigarh Tourist Spot Brahmaptra River Near by Sonitpur Assam
10 Chitralekha Udyan Tourist Spot Brahmaptra River Near by Sonitpur Assam
11 Padum Pukhuri Lake Brahmaputra River On Sonitpur Assam
12 Mahabhairab Temple Pilgrimage (Temple) Padum Pukhuri On Sonitpur Assam
13 Jayanti Tourist Spot Jayanti River Near by Jalpaiguri West Bengal
14 Sevoke Kali Mandir Pilgrimage (Temple) Teesta River On Darjiling West Bengal
15 Coronation Bridge Museums / Monument Teesta River On Darjiling West Bengal
16 Kalijhora Tourist Spot Teesta River Near by Darjiling West Bengal
17 Gourisagar Tank And Dol Pilgrimage (Temple) Gourisagar Tank On Sibsagar Assam
18 Majuli Island amist Brahmaputra river On Jorhat Assam
and the Kherkutia Xuti
19 Sibasagar Lake Lake Sivasagar Tank On Sibsagar Assam
20 Bhalukpong Tourist Spot Kameng River Near by West Kameng Arunachal Pradesh
21 Gekar Sinyi Lake Gekar Sinyi On Papum Pare Arunachal Pradesh
22 Aritar Lake Lake Aritar Lake On East Sikkim
23 Bomdila Tourist Spot Bharali River Near by West Kameng Arunachal Pradesh
24 Seppa Tourist Spot Kameng River Near by East Kameng Arunachal Pradesh
25 Shiva Mandir Pilgrimage (Temple) Rangeet River Near by West Sikkim
106

Brahamaputra Basin
26 Sanga Chelling
Pilgrimage (Temple) Teesta and Rangeet river Near by West Sikkim
Monastery
27 Pemayangtse Monastery Pilgrimage (Temple) Rangeet River Near by West Sikkim
28 Rumtek Monastery Pilgrimage (Temple) Teesta River Near by East Sikkim
29 Ravangla Tourist Spot Rangeet River Near by South Sikkim
30 Pelling Major Tourist Spot Teesta River Near by West Sikkim
31 Dirang Tourist Spot Dirang River Near by West Kameng Arunachal Pradesh
32 Tashiding Monastry Pilgrimage (Temple) Between the Rathong chu Near by West Sikkim
and the Rangeet River
33 Khecheopalri Lake Lake Khecheopalri Lake On West Sikkim
34 Ban Jhakri Waterfall Waterfall Ban Jhakri Falls On East Sikkim
35 Kyongnosla Waterfall Waterfall kyongnosla waterfall On East Sikkim
36 Yuksam Tourist Spot Rathong Chuu River Near by West Sikkim
37 Tsongmo Lake Lake Tsongmo Lake On East Sikkim
38 Nathula Pass Tourist Spot Tsongmo Lake Near by East Sikkim
39 Seven Sisters Waterfall Waterfall Seven sisters watefall On North Sikkim
40 Miao Tourist Spot Noa-Dihing river Near by Changlang Arunachal Pradesh
41 Umiam Lake Lake Umiam Lake On Ri Bhoi Meghalaya
42 Chandubi Lake Lake Chandubi Lake On Kamrup Assam
43 Resubelpara Hot Spring Simsang River Near by East Garo Hills Meghalaya
44 Gurdwara Sri Guru Pilgrimage (Temple) Brahmaptra On Dhubri Assam
Tegbahadur Sahibji
45 Basistha Ashram Pilgrimage (Temple) Basistha and
On Kamrup Assam
Bahini/Bharalu Rivers
46 Sri Surya Pahar Pilgrimage (Temple) Brahmaputra river and Near by Goalpara Assam
Krishnai River
47 Srivanta Sankardev Pilgrimage (Temple) Bharalu river On Kamrup Assam
Sanskriti Kala Kshetra
48 Deepor Beel Lake Brahmaputra River Near by Kamrup Assam
49 Kamakhya Temple Pilgrimage (Temple) Brahmaputra River On Kamrup Assam
50 Assam State Museum Museums / Monument Bank of Dighali Pukhuri Near by Kamrup Assam
www.india-wris.nrsc.gov.in
107

Brahamaputra Basin
51 Umananda Temple Pilgrimage (Temple) & Brahmaputra On Kamrup Assam
River Island
52 Mahamaya Dham Pilgrimage (Temple) Brahmaputra River Near by Dhubri Assam
53 Florican Garden Tourist Spot Dhubri Assam
54 Hajo Pilgrimage (Temple) Brahmaputra On Kamrup Assam
55 Dheer Beel Lake Dheer Beel On Dhubri Assam
56 Diplai Beel Lake Diplai Beel On Dhubri Assam
57 Sela Pass Major Tourist Spot Sela lake Near by West Kameng Arunachal Pradesh
58 Tawang Pilgrimage (Temple) Sangetsar Lake Near by Tawang Arunachal Pradesh
59 Rathong Glacier Rangeet River Near by West Sikkim
60 Chungthang Tourist Spot Confluence of River Near by North Sikkim
Lachen and Lachung Chu
61 Lachung Monastry Pilgrimage
Confluence of the Lachen Near by North Sikkim
(Temple)
River and Lachung River,
tributaries of the Teesta
River
62 Namsai Pilgrimage (Temple) Dirang River Near by Lohit Arunachal Pradesh
63 Glow Lake Lake Glow lake On Lohit Arunachal Pradesh
64 Kunchanjungha Peak Third highest mountain of
North
Sikkim
the world
65 Yumthang Tourist Spot Lachung Chu Near by North Sikkim
66 Parsurama Kund Pilgrimage (Temple) Lohit river On Lohit Arunachal Pradesh
67 Daporijo Tourist Spot Subansiri river Near by Upper Subansiri Arunachal Pradesh
68 Gurudongmar Lake Lake Gurudongmar Lake On North Sikkim
69 Pasighat Major Tourist Spot Siang river Near by East Siang Arunachal Pradesh
70 Hayuliang Hill Station Delai River Near by Lohit Arunachal Pradesh
71 Walong Hot Spring Lohit river Near by Lohit Arunachal Pradesh
72 Mehao Lake Lake Mehao Lake On Dibang Valley Arunachal Pradesh
73 Along Tourist Spot Sipu and Siyom rivers Near by West Siang Arunachal Pradesh
74 Dong Tourist Spot Lohit river Near by Lohit Arunachal Pradesh
75 Rajbari Palace Fort Tista River Near by Jalpaiguri West Bengal
www.india-wris.nrsc.gov.in
108

Brahamaputra Basin
76 Rabdentse Ruins Fort Rangeet River Near by West Sikkim
77 Kohima War Cemetery Museums / Monument Kohima Nagaland
78 Darjeeling Hill Station Darjiling West Bengal
Sl.
No.
www.india-wris.nrsc.gov.in
Name Type Waterbody Water
Body
Relation
1 Pobitora Wildlife
Sanctuary
2 Intanki National
Park
3 Sonai Rupai
Wildlife
Sanctuary
4 Khangchendzong
a National Park
5 Chakrashila
Wildlife
Sanctuary
B. Wildlife Sanctuaries / National Parks in the Basin
Nearest
City
District State Year of
Establish
ment
Brahmaputra On Guwahati Marigaon Assam One horned
rhino,
leopard, wild
bora, Golden
langur
Dhansiri Near by Kohima Nagaland
River
Brahmaputra Near by Darrang Assam
River
Between
Sarabhanya
and
Champamati
River
North
Sikkim
Near by Dhubri Assam Indian Shorttailed
Mole,
Indian Flying
Fox, Short
Nosed Fruit
Bat, Indian
False
Vampire,
Indian
Pipistrelle,
Mammals Birds Reptiles
Migrat
ory
Birds
Pangoli
n,
Asiatic
Jackal
and
Bengal
Fox.
snakes,
crocodil
es,
alligator
s, lizards
and
turtles
109

Brahamaputra Basin
6 Nambor Wildlife
Sanctuary
7 Lawkhowa
Wildlife
Sanctuary
8 Bura Chapori
Wildlife
Sanctuary
9 Orang National
Park
10 Jaldapara
Wildlife
Sanctuary
11 Buxa Tiger
Reserve
12 Kaziranga
National Park
Tiger
Reserve
Dhansisri
River
Brahmaptra
an Roumari
Beel
Brahmaptra
River
Near by Golaghat Assam
Near by Nagaon Assam
Near by Sonitpur Assam
Brahmaptra
River
Near by Darrang Assam
Kalimini River Near by Jalpaiguri West
Bengal
Kalimini and
Jayanthi
Rivers
Brahmaputra
and the Mora
Diphlu River
Near by
Alipurdua
r
Koch
Bihar
West
Bengal
Rhesus
Macaque,
Chinese
1941 Rhinoceros,
Elephant,
Swamp Deer,
tiger,
Leopard, Hog
Badger
1983
Near by Jorhat Golaghat Assam 1974 Tiger,
Leopard,
fishing Cat,
Wild Buffalo,
Elephant,
Swamp Deer,
Hoolock,
Capped
Langur, Hog
Badger
Peacoc
k,
Falcon
Hornbil
l
Python,
monitor
Lizard
www.india-wris.nrsc.gov.in
110

Brahamaputra Basin
13 Manas Wildlife
Sanctuary
14 Gorumara
National Park
www.india-wris.nrsc.gov.in
Tiger
Reserve
Beki River Near by Kokrajhar Assam
Tista River Near by Malbazar Jalpaiguri West
Bengal
15 Bornadi Wildlife
Purhimari Near by Barpeta Assam
Sanctuary
River
16 Nameri National Tiger Brahmaptra Near by Sonitpur Assam
Park
Reserve River
17 Singalila National
Park.
Rammam
and Sirkheda
Near by Darjiling West
Bengal
rivers
18 Panidehing Bird Bird Brahmaptra Near by Sibsagar Assam
Sanctuary Sanctuary River
19 Maenam Wildlife
Teesta River Near by South Sikkim
Sanctuary
20 Namdapha Tiger
Reserve
Tiger
Reserve
Neo Dihing
River
Near by Lohit Arunachal
Pradesh
21 Dibru-saikhowa
Brahmaputra Near by Tinsukia Assam 1999
National Park
River
22 Kamlang Wildlife
Sanctuary
Kamlang
River
Near by Lohit Arunachal
Pradesh
23 Mouling National
Park
Siyom River Near by East Siang Arunachal
Pradesh
24 Chapramari
Tista River Near by Jalpaiguri
Wildlife
Sanctuary
25 Fambung Lho Rathong Chu Near by West Sikkim
26 Siju West
Garo Hills
Meghalay
a
Tiger,
Leopard,
Rhinoceros,
Elephant,
Swamp Deer
111

Brahamaputra Basin
27 Garampani Kaliani River Near by Karbi
Anglong
Assam
28 Mehao Dibang
Valley
Arunachal
Pradesh
29 Dr D Ering
Memorial
East Siang Arunachal
Pradesh
Wildlife
Sanctuary
30 Pakhui Tiger
Reserve
West
Kameng
Arunachal
Pradesh
31 Senchal Greatganga Near by
Darjiling
River
32 Neora Velley Tista River Near by South Sikkim
33 Itanagar Papum
Pare
Arunachal
Pradesh
Tiger,
Leopard,
Elephant
Hornbil
l
Python
www.india-wris.nrsc.gov.in
112

Brahamaputra Basin
AEZ
AIA
AIBP
APGCL
AWS
B&BBO
BB
BCB
BCM
BIS
BOD
BR
BRB
BWA
C&SRO
CAZRI
CBIP
CCA
CEA
CGWB
Ch
CIWTC
CO
CPCB
CSMRS
cumec
cusec
CWC
CWPRS
D
DEM
DOS
DVC
E
EC
EFR
ERM
ETP
EW
FAO
Acronyms
Agro-Ecological Zones
Annual Irrigated Area
Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme
Assam Power Generation Corporation Limited
Automatic Weather Stations
Brahmaputra and Barak Basin Organization
Brahmaputra Board
Basagar Control Board
Billion Cubic Meters
Bureau of Indian Standards
Biological Oxygen Demand
Balancing Reservoir
Betwa River Board
Barrage Weir Anicut
Cauvery and Southern rivers Organization
Central Arid Zone Research Institute
Central Board of Irrigation & Power
Culturable Command Area
Central Electricity Authority
Central Ground Water Board
Chainage
Central Inland Water Transport Corporation
Central Organization
Central Pollution Control Board
Central Soil & Materials Research Station
cubic meter per sec
cubic foot per sec
Central Water Commission
Central Water and Power Research Station
Discharge
Digital Elevation Model
Department of Space
Damodar Valley Corporation
East
Electrical Conductivity
East Flowing Rivers
Extension, Renovation and Modernization
Effluent Treatment Plant
Exploratory Well
Food and Agriculture Organization
www.india-wris.nrsc.gov.in
113

Brahamaputra Basin
FC
FF
FMP
FRL
G
GCA
GD
GDQ
GDS
GDSQ
GFCC
GIS
GOI
GPI
GSC
ha
HE
HFL
HO
hrs
I&CAD
IBO
IBTL
IBWT
ICAR
ICPO
IM
IMD
India-WRIS
IR
IRS
ISRO
IWAI
IWT
K&GBO
km
LBC
LGBO
LGP
LISS
lps
LSC
Flood Control
Flood Forecasting
Flood Management Programme
Full Reservoir Level
Gauge
Gross Command Area
Gauge and Discharge
Gauge, Discharge and Water Quality
Gauge, Discharge and Sediment
Gauge, Discharge, Sediment and Water Quality
Ganga Flood Control Commission
Geographical Information System
Government of India
Grossly Polluting Industries
Gross Storage Capacity
Hectare
Hydro-electric
Highest Flood Level
Hydrological Observation
Hours
Irrigation and Command Area Development
Indus Basin Organization
Inter-Basin Transfer Link
Inter-Basin Water Transfer
Indian Council of Agricultural Research
Irrigation-Cum-Power Outlet
Moisture Index
Indian Meteorological Department
India-Water Resources Information System
Irrigation
Indian Remote Sensing
Indian Space Research Organization
Inland Waterways Authority of India
Inland Water Transport
Krishna and Godavari Basin Organization
Kilometer
Left Bank Canal
Lower Ganga Basin Organization
Length of Growing Period
Linear Imaging Self-scanning Sensor
Litres Per Second
Live Storage Capacity
www.india-wris.nrsc.gov.in
114

Brahamaputra Basin
LULC
m
M&ERO
MCM
Mcum
MDDL
mg/l
MI
MLD
mm
MMIR
MOSDAC
MoU
MoWR
MPN
MSL
MU
MW
N
N&TBO
NA
NBO
NBSS &
LUP
NEEPCO
NEIC
NF
NGRBA
NHPC
NHX
NRLD
NRSC
NTX
NW
NWDA
NWDT
NWMP
NWP
OW
P
PET
PH
pH
www.india-wris.nrsc.gov.in
Land Use Land Cover
meter
Mahanadi and Eastern rivers Organization
Million Cubic Meter
Million Cubic Meter
Minimum Draw Down Level
Milligram per Litre
Minor Irrigation
Million Liters per Day
Millimeters
Major and Medium Irrigation
Meteorological & Oceanographic Satellite Data Archival Centre
Memorandum of Understanding
Ministry of Water Resources
Most Probable Number
Mean Sea Level
Million Units
Mega Watt
North
Narmada and Tapi Basin Organization
Navigation
Narmada Basin Organization
National Bureau of Soil Survey & Land Use Planning
North Eastern Electric Power Corporation Limited
North Eastern Investigation Circle
No Flow
National Ganga River Basin Authority
National Hydro Power Corporation Limited
National Register of Large Dam
National Remote Sensing Centre
National Waterway
National Water Development Authority
Narmada Water Disputes Tribunal
Northern Water Monitoring Programme
National Water Policy
Observatory Well
Precipitation
Potential Evapotranspiration
Power House
puissance de Hydrogen
115

Brahamaputra Basin
ppm
PS
PW
Q
R&R
RBC
RF
RRR
RRSC
RSC
S
SAC
SAR
SD
SMCS
SOI
Sq. Km
SRTM
TAC
TBO
TC
TDS
Th ha
THDC
TW
UGBO
UIP
UJVNL
UNESCO
UPJVNL
UT
WB
WFR
WMO
WS
YBO
Parts per million
Pisciculture
Peizometer Well
Water Quality
Rehabilitation and Resettlement
Right Bank Canal
Rainfall
Repair, Renovation and Restoration
Regional Remote Sensing Centre
Residual Sodium Carbonate
Sediment
Standing Advisory Committee
Sodium Absorption Ratio
Sub Division
Soil Moisture Control Section
Survey of India
Square Kilometers
Shuttle Radar Topographic Mission
Technical Advisory Committee
Tapi Basin Organization
Total Coliform
Total Dissolved Solids
Thousand Hectare
Tehri Hydro Development Corporation
Tube well
Upper Ganga Basin Organization
Ultimate Irrigation Potential
Uttarkhand Jal Vidyut Nigam Limited
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
Uttar Pradesh Jal Vidyut Nigam Ltd
Union Territory
Water Body
West Flowing Rivers
World Meteorological Organization
Water Supply
Yamuna Basin Organization
www.india-wris.nrsc.gov.in
116

Brahamaputra Basin
References
Anwar, A. 2006. Long-term Strategies and Programmes for Mechanization of Agriculture in
Agro Climatic Zone–II: Eastern Himalayan region, Kashmir University of agricultural Sciences
and Technology of Kashmir, pp. 87-95.
Central ground water Board. 2009. Ground water quality in Shallow aquifers of India. pp. 6 &
12.
Central Pollution Control Board. 2009. Status of water quality in India, pp.73-85.
Central Water Commission. 1989. Major River Basins of India. New Delhi, pp. 15-17.
Central Water commission. 1997. India River Basin Atlas. New Delhi.
Central Water Commission. 2010. Water Year Book, CWC, 2009-2010. New Delhi.
Central Water Commission. 2013. Annual Report 2012-2013.
Links:
Das, H.P. ; Singh, D.K. ; Sharma, H.N. ; Singh, R.L. ; Kayastha, S.L. ; Singh, Kashi Nath; Singh,
Kailash Nath 1971. Assam Valley. In: Singh, R.L. et al. eds. India A Regional Geography.
Varansi, pp. 306-308.
Das, H.P. ; Singh, D.K.; Sharma, H.N. 1971. Meghalaya-Mikir Region. In: Singh, R.L. et al. eds.
India A Regional Geography. Varansi, pp. 679-682.
FAO, 1983. Land Evaluation of Rainfed Agriculture. Soil Bull. 52, FAO, Rome, pp. 237.
Goswami, D. C. and Das, P. J. 2003. The Brahmaputra River, India: The eco-hydrological
context of water use in one of world's most unique river systems. In: Ecologist Asia. Special
issue on large dams in North-east India Rivers, forests, people and power. Vol. 11. No. 1. Jan-
Mar 2003, pp. 9-14.
Jain, Sharad. K.; Agarwal, Pushpendra. K.; Singh, Vijay P. 2007. Hydrology and Water
Resources of India, pp. 419-472.
Ministry of Irrigation and Power. 1972. Report of the Irrigation Commission Volume III (Part
I). New Delhi, pp. 197-230.
National Remote Sensing Centre. 2011. Landuse land cover Atlas of India based on Multitemporal
Satellite Data of 2005-06. Hyderabad.
Regional Remote Sensing Center West Technical Report. 2009. Assessment of Waterlogging
and Salt and/or Alkaline affected Soils in the Commands of All Major and Medium Irrigation
Projects in the Country using Satellite Remote Sensing. Jodhpur, India, pp. 86-98.
RRSC- West, NRSC, ISRO. 2012. River Basin Atlas of India. Jodhpur, India.
Sehgal, J.; Mandal, D.K.; Mandal, C. and Vadivelu, S. 1992. Agro-Ecological Regions of India.
Second Edition, Tech. Bull. No. 24, NBSS and LUP, pp. 130.
Singh, Onkar. 1971. Purvanchal Region. In: Singh, R.L. et al. eds. India A Regional Geography.
Varansi, pp. 496-497.
Singh, Vijay; Sharma, Nayan; Shekhar, C.; Ojha, P. 2004. The Brahmaputra Basin Water
Resources.
India-Water Resources Information System: www.india-wris.nrsc.gov.in
Shuttle Radar Topography Mission SRTM) 90 m digital elevation Model: CGIAR. 2006,
http://srtm.sci.cgiar.org
www.cpcb.nic.in/water.php#2/nwmp.html
www.india-wris.nrsc.gov.in
117

Brahamaputra Basin
Authors
ISRO Officials
Dr. V.K. Dadhwal
Director
National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC)
ISRO, Department of Space, Govt. of India
Balanagar, Hyderabad
Dr. J.R. Sharma
Project Director, India-WRIS Project &
Chief General Manager
Regional Remote Sensing Centres - NRSC/ ISRO
DOS Branch Secretariat, Loknayak Bhawan
New Delhi
Dr. V. V. Rao
Scientist/Engineer ‘SG’
National Remote Sensing Centre
ISRO, Hyderabad
Dr. P. Satyanarayana
Scientist/Engineer ‘SE’
National Remote Sensing Centre
ISRO, Hyderabad
Mrs. Rashmi Rekha Dutta
Research Scientist
Regional Remote Sensing Centre-West
NRSC, ISRO, Jodhpur
Mr. Munish Gorsi
Research Scientist
Regional Remote Sensing Centre-West
NRSC, ISRO, Jodhpur
CWC Officials
Er. A.Mahendran
Member (WP & P)
Central Water Commission
New Delhi
Er. W.M. Tembhurney
Chief Engineer (EMO)
Central Water Commission
New Delhi
Er R.K.Jain
Chief Engineer (BPMO)
Central Water Commission
New Delhi
Er. YogeshPaithankar
Director
Remote Sensing Directorate
Central Water Commission, New Delhi
Er. Alok Paul Kalsi
Deputy Director
Remote Sensing Directorate
Central Water Commission, New Delhi
Ms. S. V Pravalika
Research Scientist
Regional Remote Sensing Centre-West
NRSC, ISRO, Jodhpur
www.india-wris.nrsc.gov.in
118

Brahamaputra Basin
India-WRIS Project Team
ISRO Officials
CWC Officials
Project Director Dr. J R Sharma Project In-charge
Er. Yogesh Paithankar, Director
Convener (S/W) Sh. P G Diwakar
Quality
Assurance Team
Convener
(Database)
Quality
Assurance Team
Project
Coordinators
Project Managers
Sh. V M Bothale, Sh. M V Ravikumar, Dr. S S Rao,
Dr. S N Das, Sh. D S P Rao, Ms. A Vijaya Banu,
Sh. Chandrasekaran, Sh. D J Chutia
Dr. A Jeyaram
Dr. S Sudhakar, Sh. Uday Raj, Dr. M Kudrat,
Ms. Rajashree V Bothale, Dr. D Dutta,
Dr. G Ravishankar, Sh. S Pathak, Dr. K K Sarma
Sh. Shantanu B., Sh.Uday Raj, Dr. A T Jeyaseelan
Dr. A K Bera, Dr. B K Bhadra, Sh. S Pathak, Dr. Rakesh Paliwal
Dy. Project In-charge
Er. Alok Paul Kalsi, Dy. Director
Er. Prashant Kumar Gupta, Dy.
Director
Technical Guidance
Er. C K Agarwal, Chief Engineer (B &
BBO)
Er. W M Tembhurney, Chief Engineer
EMO Er R.K. Jain, Chief Engineer
(BPMO)
Groups and Work
Components
S/W Design,
Architecture,
Integration, Data
Security, Web
Hosting & Website
Database
Organization & Geodatabase
Standards
Legacy Data ISRO
Projects
Watershed Atlas &
Water Resources
Projects
Administrative
& Thematic Layers
Environmental Data
Project Leads & Project
Scientists at Lead
Centre
Sh. Gaurav Kumar
Sh. K S Srinivasan
Sh. Hansraj Meena
Dr. A K Bera
Dr. Rakesh Paliwal
Dr. Rakesh Paliwal
Sh. Ashish Kumar Jain
Dr. A K Bera
Dr. Rakesh Paliwal
Er. Sagar S Salunkhe
Dr. B K Bhadra
Dr. Rakesh Paliwal
Sh. S Pathak
Sh. Sushilkumar B Rehpade
Sh. Amanpreet Singh
Dr. S Rama Subramoniam
Dr. Manoj Joseph
Research Scientists at
Lead Centre
Ms. Suman Gurjar
Ms. Pragya Chaturvedi
Ms. Shilpa Taneja
Ms. S V Pravalika
Ms. Divya Mishra
Ms. Jyotsana Chuchra
Mr. Samuel Lourdraj C
Mr. Rahul Sharma
Mr. Piyush Dubey
Mr. V Srinivasa Reddy
Ms. Chitra S Pai
Ms. Manasa Devi B
Mr. Mohamed Ali S
Ms. Hemlata Gehlot
Mr. Amit Kumar
Mr. Devdatta Tengshe
Mr. Jai Prakash Jyani
Mr. Munish Gorsi
Ms. Deepika Acharaya
Ms. Pratima Tak
Mr. Niteen K Bankar
Ms. Himani Singh
Ms. Sneha
Ms. Kamini Yadav
Mr. Goutam Bhati
Mr. Debhasish Bhakta
Mr. Nitin Chauhan
Ms. Ila Agnihotri
Mr. Vishal Singh
Ms. Vineeta Sharma
Dr. N Vyjayanthi
Dr. Shirsath Paresh B
Mr. Sanjay Kumar
Ms. Rashmi Rekha Dutta
Mr. Brij Kishor Jashal
DPDs & Project
Scientists
Sh. Vinod M Bothale
Sh. Shantanu B
Sh. K Nagajyothi
Sh. S S Rajashekhar
Sh. Harish Karnatak
Sh. D Giribabu
Dr. A V Suresh Babu
Sh. E Sivasankar
Dr. M C Gupta
Dr. S N Das
Dr. S S Rao
Sh. K Abdul Hakeem
Dr. V V Rao
Dr. G Ravishankar
Dr. A V Suresh Babu
Sh. B Simhadhari Rao
Ms. Rajashree V B
Dr. G Sreenivasan
Dr. S Ravindranath
Dr. K H V Durga Rao
Dr. D Dutta
Dr. V M Choudhary
Sh. P V Raju
Sh. P Satyanarayana
Dr. S N Das
Sh. John Mathew
Sh. M Shanker
Sh. B Simhadhari Rao
Team
Er. Navin Kumar, Director
Er. S N Abraham, Director
Er. R Azhagesan, Director
Er. Ashish Banerjee, Director
Er. Rajiv Kumar, Director
Er. Piyush Ranjan, Executive Engineer
Er. Pankaj Sharma, Dy. Director
Er. Amarjit Singh, Dy. Director
Er. S K Chaturvedi, Dy. Director
Er. Y S Varshney, Executive Engineer
Er. Manoj Paunikar, Executive Engineer
Er. Amitabh Prabhakar, Executive Engineer
Er. Vishal Garg, Assistant Director
Er. M Sahabdeen, Assistant Director
Er. Ashish Awasthi Assistant Director
Er. R. Bhaskaran, Assistant Director
Capacity Building,
Modelling, Value
Addition & Report
www.india-wris.nrsc.gov.in
Sh. S Pathak
Lead Centre: Regional Remote Sensing Centre - West, NRSC/ISRO, Jodhpur
Dr. P Manavalan
Sh. Pramod Kumar
Sh. P V Raju
Dr. K H V Durga Rao
119

Brahamaputra Basin
Lead Centre: Regional Remote Sensing Centre - West, NRSC/ISRO, Jodhpur
www.india-wris.nrsc.gov.in
120