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Principal River Course in Bangladesh
“Explore the lifeblood of Bangladesh with its intricate network of rivers, weaving through lush landscapes and shaping communities. Discover the diverse ecosystems, cultural significance, and economic vitality of Bangladesh’s rivers in this immersive journey.”
“Prominent River Courses Across Bangladesh”
| Sl. No. | Name of River | Length in Kilometer (km) | Flow by District |
| 1. | Brahmaputra | 2,900 km | The Brahmaputra River traverses across Tibet (China), Northeastern India, and Bangladesh, crossing international boundaries along its course. |
| 2. | Meghna River | 130 km | The Meghna River flows into the Bay of Bengal through four main mouths located in Bhola District: Tetulia (Ilsha), Shahbazpur, Hatia, and Bamni. |
| 3. | Teesta River | 414 km | In Bangladesh, the river passes through Lalmonirhat, Rangpur, Kurigram, and Gaibandha Districts before merging with the Brahmaputra River at Phulchhari Upazila. Approximately 305 kilometers (190 miles) of its course run through India, while 109 kilometers (68 miles) flow within Bangladesh. |
| 4. | Jamuna River | 205 km | It serves as the downstream section of the Brahmaputra River, originating as the Yarlung Tsangpo in Tibet, coursing through India, and ultimately bending southwestward into Bangladesh. |
| 5. | Surma River | 900 km | Passing through Sylhet, Sunamganj, Netrokona, and Kishoreganj, the river eventually converges with the Meghna. In the division of Bangladesh’s river system into four parts, Surma blends with the Meghna. These combined waterways reunite with the Meghna River near Bhairab Bazar in the Kishoreganj district. |
| 6. | Bangshi River | 238 km | The Bangshi (also spelled Bansi) holds significance as a central river in Bangladesh. Beginning its journey in Jamalpur, it traces its origins back to the old Brahmaputra course, meandering through the Madhupur tract. Continuing its flow, it passes through Tangail and converges with the Tongi River in Ghazipur. |
| 7. | Ganges | 2,510 km | The Ganges River enters Bangladesh from India via the Chapai Nawabganj district. Upon crossing into Bangladesh, it traverses several districts such as Rajshahi, Nawabganj, Pabna, Kushtia, and Faridpur, before merging with the Padma River close to Munshiganj district. |
| 8. | Karnaphuli River | 270 km |
The river, stretching 667 meters (2,188 ft) wide, meanders through the southeastern region of Bangladesh. It begins its journey from the Saithah village in Mamit district, Mizoram, India, then flows 270 kilometers (170 mi) southwestward, traversing the Chattogram Hill Tracts and Chattogram, before ultimately emptying into the Bay of Bengal. |
| 9. | Dhaleshwari River | 160 km | The Dhaleshwari River, originating as a distributary of the Jamuna, starts its journey in the northwestern part of Tangail district. This winding river comprises two branches: the main stream flows north of Manikganj and merges with the other branch, the Kaliganga, south of Manikganj. Subsequently, the Kaliganga reunites with the Dhaleshwari. Previously, the Buriganga served as a distributary of the Dhaleshwari, redirecting its flow back into the Dhaleshwari. Near Narayanganj, it joins the Shitalakshya River, flowing southward until it meets the Meghna near Shaitnol, thereafter losing its distinct identity. |
| 10. | Old Brahmaputra River | 356 km | This river spans 667 meters (2,188 feet) in width and is situated in the southeastern region of Bangladesh. Beginning its journey from Saithah village in the Mamit district of Mizoram, India, it courses southwest for 270 kilometers (170 miles) through the Chattogram Hill Tracts and Chattogram before reaching the Bay of Bengal. |
| 11. | Padma River | 356 km | It flows, creating a natural border between India and Bangladesh, dividing the Rajshahi District of Bangladesh and the Murshidabad District of West Bengal. |
| 12. | Kushiyara River | 161 km | The Kushiyara flows westward, delineating the boundary between Assam, India, and the Sylhet District of Bangladesh, passing between the towns of Zakigonj. |
| 13. | Bhairab River | 242 km | The Bhairab River, a distributary of the Ganges, flows through southwestern Bangladesh. It traverses Khulna, splitting the city into two sections. Originating from the Tengamari border of Meherpur District, the Bhairab River then courses through Jessore city. |
| 14. | Sangu River | 270 km | The Sangu River begins its journey in the Arakan Hills of Myanmar, entering Bangladesh near Remarki (Thanchi Upazila of Bandarban district). It then flows northward, passing through Thanchi, Rowangchhari, and Bandarban upazilas of Bandarban district. |
| 15. | Bura Gauranga River | 203 km | The Bura Gauranga River and its associated sea channel are situated within the Patuakhali district of Barisal Division in south-central Bangladesh. |
| 16. | Punarbhaba | 160 km | Emerging from the lowlands of Thakurgaon District in Bangladesh, this river’s upper reaches lie a few kilometers west of the Atrai River. Dinajpur town in Bangladesh is positioned on the eastern bank of this river. Continuing its course, it flows through the Gangarampur and Tapan community development blocks of the Dakshin Dinajpur district in West Bengal. |
| 17. | Arial Khan River | 164 km | The Arial Khan River is a significant southeastward distributary of the Padma River. Branching off from the Padma approximately 51.5 kilometers southeast of Goalanda in Rajbari District, it courses through Faridpur and Madaripur districts before merging into the Tentulia River at the northeastern corner of Barisal. |
| 18. | Dakatia River | 141 km | The Dakatia River flows through both Bangladesh and India. Upon re-entering India from Comilla District, it converges with the Meghna River at Chandpur Boro Station molehead. |
| 19. | Nabaganga River | 214 km | The Nabaganga River begins its journey near the town of Chuadanga in Chuadanga District. It flows eastward, with the Kumar and Chitra rivers joining it at Magura and Narail, respectively. Continuing its course, the river then turns southward and combines with the Bhairab River. This amalgamation represents a recent alteration, as the Nabaganga was previously a tributary of the Ichamati River. |
| 20. | Betna River | 192 km | The Betna River, situated in Bangladesh, originates in Jessore District. It traverses through Satkhira and Khulna, where it transforms into the Kalia River and gives rise to a tributary known as the Dalua River. The Kalia River subsequently becomes a tributary of the Kobadak River. |
| 21. | Danu River | 90 km | The Bangshi River courses through the heart of the district, diverging from the old Brahmaputra to the north, near Jamalpur. |
| 22. | Atrai River | 390 km | The Atrai River originates near Baikanthapur forest of West Bengal, specifically in Siliguri ward no. 40. After traversing Dinajpur District in Bangladesh, it re-enters India. It flows through Kumarganj and Balurghat community development blocks in Dakshin Dinajpur district before crossing back into Bangladesh. |
| 23. | Buriganga River | 27 km | The Buriganga, a 27-kilometer-long river, meanders through the southern and western parts of Dhaka city. It serves as a vital link connecting Dhaka to other channels of the Bengal region and beyond, a key factor that influenced the Mughals in selecting Dhaka as the capital of Bengal. Originating from the Dhaleswari at Kalatia, it merges with the Turag at Kamrangir Char in Dhaka. |
| 24. | Feni River | 116 km | The Feni River begins its journey in South Tripura district, passing through Sabroom town before crossing into Bangladesh. Near its mouth, it is joined by the Muhuri River, also known as Little Feni, originating from Noakhali District. |
| 25. | Madhumati River | 372 km | The Madhumati River courses through several districts in Bangladesh, including Kushtia, Jessore, Rajbari, Faridpur, Khulna, Pirojpur, and Barguna. |
| 26. | Ichamati River | 216 | The river courses through Bangladesh for a span of 35.5 kilometers (22.1 miles) before re-entering India at Habaspur Village near Duttaphulia in Nadia district. |
| 27. | Kumar River | 124 km | The Kumar River, an ancient waterway, originates from the Mathabhanga river at Hatboalia in Chuadanga district. Rennell featured this river in his atlas prepared in 1764. During that era, the river exhibited minimal activity. Despite overflowing during the monsoon season, it nearly dries up in lean periods. Locally, the river was referred to as Kalobeel, owing to its black-colored appearance. |
| 28. | Karatoya River | 187 km | The Karatoya River begins its journey from the foothills of the Himalayas, north of the Bhutan border. It enters Bangladesh through Vitgarh in Panchagarh district, crossing Darjeeling and Jalpaiguri districts. Continuing its course, it enters Gaibandha district near Ghoraghat via Dinajpur district and flows westward through Gebindganj Thana to Shivganj in Pabna. |
| 29. | Banar River | The Banar River meanders through the districts of Faridpur, Jamalpur, and Mymensingh in north-central Bangladesh. | |
| 30. | Chitra River | 170 km | The Chitra River begins its journey from the lower regions of Chuadanga and Darsana. It flows approximately 170 kilometers southeastward, passing through Darsana, Kaliganj, Jessore, Salikha, and Kalia upazilas, before merging with the Nabaganga in Gazirhat of Narail district. |
| 31. | Kopotakkho River | 250 km | The river courses through Jessore, Satkhira, and Khulna districts before ultimately converging with the Kholpetua River in Khulna District. The lower segment of the river experiences tidal fluctuations. |
| 32. | Mathabhanga River | 121 km | The Mathabhanga River is a transboundary river shared between Bangladesh and India. It winds through Kushtia, Meherpur, and Chuadanga districts of Bangladesh, stretching 121 kilometers in length. Near Darshan, it spans 29 meters in width and reaches a depth of 10 meters. |
| 33. | Mahananda River | 360 km | It brushes against Jalpaiguri district and crosses into Bangladesh near Tentulia in Panchagarh District, flowing for 3 kilometers (1.9 miles) before re-entering India. Passing through Uttar Dinajpur district in West Bengal and Kishanganj, Purnia, and Katihar districts in Bihar, it re-enters Malda district in West Bengal. |
| 34. | Shitalakshya River | 110 km | The Shitalakshya River, spanning 110 kilometers in length and coursing through various regions including Gazipur, Narsingdi, Narayanganj, and Dhaka, used to be a primary source of livelihood for fishermen. According to locals, not too long ago, the river teemed with diverse fish species like Rui, Katla, Kalbaush, Gutum, Boal, Puti, Shrimp, Shail, Chapila, and Baira. |
| 35. | Pasur River | 142 km | The Pasur River, a significant waterway in the Sundarbans area, is an extension of the Rupsa River. South of Khulna, the Bhairab or Rupsa River continues its southerly course and is renamed Pasur near Chalna, eventually emptying into the Bay of Bengal to the right of Trikona and Dubla islands. As it flows south of Mongla Upazila, it enters the Sundarbans. The maximum flow of the Gorai-Madhumati River converges with the Pasur River through the Nabaganga. In terms of size, the Pasur ranks second after the Meghna in the deltaic region. Approximately 32 kilometers south of Chalna, the Pasur River is joined by the Mongla canal. Continuing its southward journey, the river meets the Shibsa around 32 kilometers north of its mouth and finally flows into the sea, maintaining its original name, Pasur. |
| 36. | Kirtankhola River | 160 km | The Kirtankhola River originates from Sayeshtabad, located in the Barisal district of Bangladesh, and concludes its journey near the Gabkhan canal in Gajalia. The total length of the river spans approximately 160 kilometers (99 miles). |
| 37. | Someshwari River | 145 km | In Bangladesh, it courses through Susang-Durgapur and other regions of Netrakona before merging with the Kangsha River in Netrakona district. |
| 38. | Piyain River | 145 km | Traveling in a southern direction, the river makes its way into Bangladesh via the Sylhet district, where it divides into two separate streams: the Piyain and the Dauki, which is also referred to as Jaflong. Upon entering Bangladesh, the Piyain stream veers westward, spanning approximately 7 kilometers along the international border before bending southwestward to join the Surma River at Chatak. |
| 39. | Matamuhuri River | 295 km | The river courses its way northward, traversing Thanchi, Rowangchhari, and Bandarban upazilas within the Bandarban district. Subsequently, it continues its journey westward, passing through Satkania and Banshkhali upazilas of the Chittagong district, until it converges with the Bay of Bengal in the vicinity of Khankhanabad, near Chittagong. |
| 40. | Kazipur River | The Kazipur River meanders through Kazipur Upazila situated in the Sirajganj District of Bangladesh. | |
| 41. | Nagar River | The Kazipur River, originating in Kazipur Upazila within the Sirajganj District of Bangladesh, proceeds southward where it eventually merges with the Ichamati River. | |
| 42. | Barak River | 900 km | Originating from the Manipur hills, specifically south of Mao in the Senapati district of Manipur, the Barak River begins its journey at an elevation of 2,331 meters. It then traverses the border between Nagaland and Manipur, winding through hilly terrain before eventually entering the state of Assam. |
| 43. | Raidak River | 370 km | The Raidāk River, also known as Wang Chhu, courses through the territories of Bhutan, India, and Bangladesh. Within West Bengal, India, it holds significance as one of the primary rivers in Alipurduar District. |
| 44. | Ghagat River | 320 km | The Ghaghat River, a distributary of the Tista River, originates from Jaldhaka in Nilphamari District. It follows a winding path from north to southeast, passing through Gaibandha town before merging with the Brahmaputra a few kilometers north of Fulchhari Ghat. Additionally, the Ghaghat gives rise to a distributary called the Bangali, which flows east of Gaibandha town, then southward to join the Karatoya River south of Sherpur Sadar Upazila in Sherpur District. Characterized by a slow current and often obstructed by vegetation, the Ghaghat River traverses its course. |
| 45. | Gomati | 95 km | The Gomati River flows through the northeastern Indian state of Tripura and the district of Comilla in Bangladesh. Near Dumbur, a dam has been built on the river, creating a reservoir spanning 40 square kilometers. |
| 46. | Naf River | 62 km | It empties into the Bay of Bengal within the Indian Ocean, positioned between Bangladesh’s Cox’s Bazar District of the Chittagong Division and Burma’s Rakhine State. |
| 47. | Haora River | 61.2 km | The river originates from the western side of the Baramura Hill range, flows in a southwestern direction, and eventually merges with the Titas River in Bangladesh. |
| 48. | Manu River | 167 km | The Manu River is a transboundary river shared between India and Bangladesh, with its source below the Kahosib Chura of the Shakhantang Mountains in the Indian state of Tripura. It flows northeastward through Kumarghat and Kailasahar before crossing into the Moulvibazar district of Bangladesh, where it eventually joins the Dholai River in the Sylhet Plain. |
| 49. | Khowai River | 70 km | Flowing in a north-northwest direction, it exits India at Khowai and enters Bangladesh at Balla in the Habiganj District. |
| 50. | Baral River | 147 km | The river spans approximately 147 kilometers (91 mi) in length, with an average width of 120 meters (410 ft) and depth of 6 meters (20 ft). It primarily receives water from the Ganges during the monsoon season. |
Frequently asked questions about Rivers of Bangladesh
1. Q: What are the major rivers of Bangladesh?
A: The major rivers of Bangladesh include the Brahmaputra (Jamuna), Ganges (Padma), Meghna, Surma, and Karnaphuli.
2. Q: What is the significance of rivers in Bangladesh?
A: Rivers play a crucial role in Bangladesh’s geography, economy, culture, and ecology. They provide transportation routes, irrigation for agriculture, livelihoods for millions of people, and are integral to Bangladesh’s rich biodiversity.
3. Q: How many rivers are there in Bangladesh?
A: Bangladesh is often referred to as the “land of rivers,” with over 700 rivers crisscrossing the country.
4. Q: What are the sources of the major rivers in Bangladesh?
A: The Brahmaputra River originates in Tibet, the Ganges from the Himalayas, the Meghna from the hills of Manipur in India, the Surma from the Barail Range in northeastern India, and the Karnaphuli from the Lushai Hills in Mizoram, India.
5. Q: Are the rivers of Bangladesh prone to flooding?
A: Yes, the rivers of Bangladesh are prone to annual flooding, primarily during the monsoon season (June-September), due to heavy rainfall in the upstream areas and snowmelt in the Himalayas.
6. Q: How do people utilize Bangladesh’s rivers?
A: People utilize Bangladesh’s rivers for transportation, fishing, irrigation, agriculture, hydropower generation, and as a source of livelihoods for millions of people engaged in river-related activities.
7. Q: What are the environmental challenges facing Bangladesh’s rivers?
A: Environmental challenges include pollution from industrial and agricultural runoff, unplanned urbanization, deforestation, erosion, sedimentation, and the impacts of climate change, such as increased frequency and severity of floods and droughts.
8. Q: Are there efforts to conserve Bangladesh’s rivers?
A: Yes, there are various governmental and non-governmental initiatives aimed at conserving and managing Bangladesh’s rivers, including riverbank protection projects, afforestation programs, pollution control measures, and community-based conservation efforts.
9. Q: How do rivers contribute to Bangladesh’s economy?
A: Rivers contribute significantly to Bangladesh’s economy through transportation, irrigation for agriculture, fisheries, hydroelectric power generation, and providing a source of livelihoods for millions of people involved in river-based activities.
