river system

What is the estimated average annual water inflow into Bangladesh from India?

870 million acre-feet (MAF)

How much rainfall does Bangladesh receive on average annually?

203 million acre-feet (MAF)

What is the total flow out to the sea from Bangladesh?

953 million acre-feet (MAF)

Which months have the highest inflow of water from India?

August (195.5 MAF), September (165.6 MAF), July (152.5 MAF)

How much higher is the inflow in August compared to February?

About 7 times higher

How many miles of waterways does Bangladesh have?

Over 15,000 miles

What are the three major river systems in Bangladesh?

Ganges River System, Brahmaputra River System, Surma River System

Which river is the most important in the Northern Region till 1787?

Tista River

What happened in the 1787 flood related to the Tista River?

Vast flood of sand choked the Atrai channel; Tista burst into Ghaghat River; loss of one-sixth of Rangpur's population

What is the length of the Tista River within Bangladesh?

Approximately 110 miles

What is the discharge range of the Tista River?

Minimum 4,000 cusecs to maximum 35,000 cusecs

What is the origin of the name 'Tista'?

Derived from Sanskrit Tristrota meaning 'Three Currents'

What is the Ghaghat River?

A distributary of Tista, flows past Rangpur and Gaibandha, joins Brahmaputra north of Fulchari Ghat

What is the Bangali River?

Southward distributary from Gaibandha with flow from 400 to 21,000 cusecs

What is the Dharla River known for?

Swift river during rainy season, clear braided stream in winter, low shelving banks prone to course changes

Where does the Dudhkumar River flow?

Flows south-eastward into the Brahmaputra, majority lies in India near Bhutan Duars

What is the historical significance of the Karatoa River?

Once larger than the Ganges during Bakhtiar Khilji's invasion in 1115 A.D., sacred to Hindus, rapid decline post-1820 flood

What are Baors?

U-shaped water bodies formed from abandoned river meanders, more stagnant than bils, retain water throughout the year

What are Haors?

Large bowl-shaped floodplain depressions that fill during monsoon, important for fish habitat and Boro rice cultivation

What percentage of Bangladesh's inland fish production comes from Bils and Haors?

50%

What are some conservation measures for wetlands in Bangladesh?

Wetland restoration projects, sustainable fishing regulations, reforestation, promotion of eco-tourism