Question

Which one of the following statements about the Brahmaputra River is correct?

• A. It carries the maximum volume of water during its Tibetan stretch.
• B. It originates in India and flows westward into Tibet.
• C. It enters India near Namcha Barwa after taking a U-turn.
• D. Its left bank tributaries originate mainly from Bhutan.

Answer 1

Answer:

C. It enters India near Namcha Barwa after taking a U-turn.

• Correct Answer: Option C - It enters India near Namcha Barwa after taking a U-turn.

• Origin and Course: The Brahmaputra originates in Tibet (not India) as the Yarlung Tsangpo River from the Angsi Glacier near Mount Kailash. It flows eastward (not westward) through Tibet for about 1,800 km.

• The Great Bend: Near Mount Namcha Barwa in Tibet, the river makes a dramatic U-turn around the Namcha Barwa massif and enters India through Arunachal Pradesh. This section is known as the "Great Bend" and is where the river enters India.

• Tributaries: The Brahmaputra's major tributaries come from both sides - the left bank tributaries come primarily from the Himalayas in the north, not just from Bhutan. Major left bank tributaries include the Lohit, Dibang, and Subansiri rivers.

• Water Volume: The river carries a relatively moderate volume during its Tibetan stretch (where it's called Yarlung Tsangpo). It becomes much more voluminous after entering India due to heavy rainfall in the northeastern region and the addition of numerous tributaries.