The Barak River, known as the Surma River in Bengali, is a significant waterway in Northeast India and Bangladesh. It is the largest river in Assam’s Barak Valley, India, and the second-largest in Bangladesh, following the Padma River.
Key Points
The Barak Valley encompasses an expansive geographical area of 6922.00 square kilometres, excluding two hill districts. The valley receives rainfall, along with runoff from the surrounding hilly terrain, feeds into the Barak River and its numerous tributaries, ultimately flowing into Bangladesh.
Key tributaries contributing to Barak’s flow include Katakhal, Jiri, Chiri, Modhura, Longai, Sonai, Rukni, and Singla. These tributaries primarily rely on rainfall, posing flood-related challenges during periods of precipitation.
The Barak sub-basin is a drainage system for India, Bangladesh, and Burma regions. In India alone, it covers an area of 41,723 square kilometres, accounting for approximately 1.38% of the country’s total geographical expanse. The primary tributaries joining the Barak River include Jiri, Dhaleswari, Singla, Longai, Sonai, and Katakhal.
This river hosts the sixth stretch of the national waterway.
Latest Development
The contract for dredging the Barak River (NW-16) from Badarpur to Bhanga, covering a distance of 10.5 kilometers, has been granted to the Dredging Corporation of India.
Projects on Barak River
Hydropower potential within the Barak River basin is 3,908 MW when operating at a 60% load factor. Some major projects associated with this river include the Tipaimukh Dam Project, Tista Champamati, and Dhansiri barrages.
Challenges
Floods are a recurring issue in the Brahmaputra-Barak basin, affecting vast areas totalling approximately 4.33 million hectares. Additionally, numerous towns and villages contend with the erosive impact of these rivers.
F.A.Q.
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Q. Which of the following river is in the barak valley ?
Answer :- The Barak Valley in India is home to the scenic Barak River. This beautiful river meanders through the northeastern regions of Manipur, Nagaland, Mizoram, and Assam. Specifically, in Assam, the Barak Valley is named after this river, and it is renowned for its picturesque landscapes.
