Top 10 Major Rivers in North East India

The northeastern region of India is home to numerous rivers that play a vital role in the region’s ecosystem, culture, and economy. Many of these rivers originate from the eastern Himalayas and are tributaries of the Brahmaputra. Here are the top 10 major rivers in North East India:

1. Brahmaputra River

• Length: Approx. 2,900 km (total length; within India, it’s about 916 km)
• Significance: One of the major rivers in the world, flowing through Tibet, India, and Bangladesh. It is a lifeline for Assam and Arunachal Pradesh.

2. Barak River

• Length: About 900 km (total)
• Significance: Originates in Manipur and flows through Assam before entering Bangladesh. It is a key river in southern Assam.

3. Dibang River

• Length: Around 195 km
• Significance: A major tributary of the Brahmaputra, it flows through Arunachal Pradesh and meets the Lohit River.

4. Subansiri River

• Length: Around 442 km
• Significance: A large tributary of the Brahmaputra, it originates in Tibet and flows through Arunachal Pradesh and Assam.

5. Lohit River

• Length: 200 km (in India)
• Significance: It originates in Tibet and flows through Arunachal Pradesh, joining the Brahmaputra near Dibrugarh.

6. Manas River

• Length: 376 km
• Significance: A transboundary river flowing from Bhutan into Assam, it is a UNESCO World Heritage site and vital to the region’s biodiversity.

7. Tista (Teesta) River

• Length: 309 km
• Significance: Flows through Sikkim and West Bengal before entering Bangladesh. It is a tributary of the Brahmaputra.

8. Noa Dihing River

• Length: Around 117 km
• Significance: A tributary of the Brahmaputra, it flows through Arunachal Pradesh and Assam.

9. Kameng River

• Length: Around 264 km
• Significance: Originating in Arunachal Pradesh, it flows into Assam and is an important tributary of the Brahmaputra.

10. Dhansiri River

• Length: Around 352 km
• Significance: Flows through Nagaland and Assam, playing a critical role in the agricultural and economic life of these regions.

These rivers are essential for agriculture and transportation, There are few more rivers in seven sister states such as Kopili River, Umngot River, Manipur River and Tlawng River maintaining the biodiversity of the region.

The Umngot River, also known as the Dawki River in Meghalaya is known for its cleanliness and transparent water – one of India’s cleanest rivers.