The Brahmaputra River, known as Yarlung Tsangpo in Tibet and Jamuna in Bangladesh, is one of the major rivers of Asia. It originates from the Angsi Glacier in the Himalayas in Tibet, China, at an elevation of about 5,300 meters (17,400 feet). From its source, the river flows eastward through the Tibetan Plateau, where it is joined by numerous tributaries.
As the Brahmaputra River enters Arunachal Pradesh, India, it cuts through the Himalayas, creating the Yarlung Tsangpo Grand Canyon, which is considered one of the deepest canyons in the world. After exiting the Himalayas, the river flows into the Assam Valley, where it is joined by the Dibang and Lohit Rivers. The river then turns south and flows through the states of Assam and West Bengal in India.
Landform Heights
The Brahmaputra River basin encompasses various landform heights, from high mountains to vast plains. In Tibet, the river flows through the Tibetan Plateau, which has an average elevation of over 4,500 meters (14,800 feet). As it enters India, the river descends rapidly through the Himalayas, where the elevation can reach up to 8,000 meters (26,250 feet). In the Assam Valley, the elevation drops to around 100 meters (330 feet), and the river becomes wide and braided.
Countries
The Brahmaputra River flows through three countries: China, India, and Bangladesh. In China, it is known as the Yarlung Tsangpo and flows for about 1,700 kilometers (1,060 miles) within Tibetan territory. In India, the river is known as the Brahmaputra and flows for about 900 kilometers (560 miles). Finally, it enters Bangladesh, where it is known as the Jamuna and flows for about 350 kilometers (220 miles) before joining the Ganges River and emptying into the Bay of Bengal.