RIVERS OF ASSAM

 

Q.Name the two major rivers of Assam.

Ans:Brahmaputra and Barak .

Q. Which area is called as the Brahmaputra River Basin?

Ans:The Brahmaputra and its tributaries receive water from the rivers of Tibet, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Assam, Meghalaya, Bhutan, Sikkim, West Bengal and some parts of Bangladesh. The area from which these rivers and tributaries receive water is called the Brahmaputra River Basin.

Q.Which separates Brahmaputra river basin of north and Barak river basin of south?

Ans:The Barail mountain of Dima Hasao separates Brahmaputra river basin of north and Barak river basin of south.

Q. What is the length of The Brahmaputra river from its source to mouth ?

Ans:The Brahmaputra is 2,906 k.m. from its source to mouth.

Q. How is the Brahmaputra river known by different names in different places?

Ans:The Brahmaputra river is known by different names in different places. In Assam it was known as Lohitya. But later it is known as Lohit. From its source the river flows through Tibetan plateau in the north and Himalayan in the south and in an eastward direction covering 1,700 k.m. In this region the local name of the river is Tsangpo or Sangpo. The river then turns south-westward near Namsa Barwa peak and enters Arunachal Pradesh. After flowing for some distances, it changes its course and flows southwards and enteres the plains near Pashighat. The local name of the river is Siang in the upper region of Arunachal Pradesh.

Q. What is the source of origin of the Brahmaputra river ?

Ans:According to sources the origin of Brahmaputra is from a glacier named Chema-young-dung located in a place called Tamchuk Khambla Chorten near Kailash mountain in Tibet. It is at a height of 5,150 metres above sea level.

Q. From which region the river Brahmaputra is known as Brahmaputra river?

Ans:While entering the plains of Assam from south of Pashighat to Dhubri,  in the western end of the state, the course of the river can be called as the middle course. The length of the course of the river is 640 kilometres in Assam. From Pashighat the Dihang flows for some distance and near Sadiya it joins the river Dibang and Lohit. From this region the river is known as Brahmaputra.

Q. What is called braided pattern of a river?

Ans: The course of a river is obstructed by the depositions and the river water is divided into several streams. This is called braided pattern of a river. 

Q. Name  some permanent highlands formed on the Brahmaputra flood plains .

Ans: Kandhulimari, Shiyalmari,Alopatty, Bhanganmari are some permanent highlands formed on the Brahmaputra flood plains .

Q. Where is Majuli ituated?

Ans: Majuli situated in between Kherkatia Suti and main stream of the Brahmaputra on the south.

Q. Which is the largest river island ?

Ans: Majuli .

Q. What is the total land area of  Majuli?

Ans:The total land area of Majuli is 514 squ.km.

Q. Give some  examples of habitation on the banks of the

Brahmaputra.

Ans:Dibru-Saikhowa, Kaziranga, Laokhowa .

Q. Fill in the blanks:

a) There are 57  tributaries on the north bank and 33  tributaries on the south bank of the Brahmaputra.

b) In Bangladesh the length of Brahmaputra is 450 k.m.

Q. Write the two features of a river.

Ans: The two features of a river are ---

a) Erosion and 

b) Deposition 

Q. What are the causes of flood?

Ans: The several causes of flood are as follows:

a) Due to several years of depositional activities the  river bed of Brahmaputra and Barak have become shallow. As a result ,the water retaining capacity of these rivers is decreasing. Therefore when it rains continuously for several days the water level rises and the rivers overflow and the adjacent areas get flooded.

b) High rainfall during monsoon

c) Flow of water through narrow areas because of embankments.

Q. Name some places where severe erosion can be seen on the South Bank of the Brahmaputra.

Ans: Dibrugarh, Rohmaria, Dishangmukh , Dikhowmukh, Moriahola, Nimati, Majuli, Dhing, Palasbari , Fakirganj etc.

Q.How is the rivers of Assam played an important role in transport sector?

Ans: Water transport is a cheap means of transport system. 

 There are several records in history which says that during Ahom rule the river Brahmaputra was used  not only for transportation purposes but also during wars and battle.  The Britishers also used waterways for  transportation of goods and people. During those days ship plied on the Brahmaputra between Kolkata and Sadiya. After the earthquake of 1950, the river bed became shallow. Hence big ships can sail only upto Nimati throughout the year. There is scope for development of water transport system in the lower part of some major tributaries of Brahmaputra like Subansiri, Jiyabharali, Manas, Dikhow, Dhansiri, etc. The Inland Water Transport Department has established two river ports one at Pandu and another at Dhubri. Now, heavy machineries, coal and other goods are transported through these two ports between Assam and Kolkata via Bangladesh. A number of motor boats and boats are also plying on the Brahmaputra carrying people, animals and goods.

Q.How is the rivers of Assam played an important role in agricultural sector?

Ans: The rivers of Assam play an important role in the field of agriculture. The flood water of the river Brahmaputra and its tributaries carry silt and deposit them on the flood plains making them suitable for agricultural activities. On the other hand because of flood during rainy season, most areas remain moist. This period is convenient for agricultural activities. The forests are covered with green vegetations. Because of such an environment Assam is regarded as rich in respect of its bio-diversity. There is ample scope of increasing production of rabi crops by harnessing the water of Brahmaputra and its tributaries through properly planned irrigation system.

Q. From where is the Barak river originated?

Ans: The river Barak originates from Moram situated in the Nagaland and Manipur border.