Ghaghara River, Origin, Tributaries, Biodiversity, Flood Risk

The Ghaghara River is a major left bank tributary of the Ganga River and a perennial trans boundary river. It starts in the Mapchachungo Glaciers of the Tibetan Plateau and ends by joining Ganga River in Bihar after a total course of 1,080 km. It flows through Nepal as the Karnali River before entering India. The river is also known as Gogra, Ghaghra, Ghagra and Kauriala.

Ghaghara River Latest News

Recently in August 2026, heavy monsoon rainfall and water releases from upper barrages in Nepal have pushed the Ghaghara River above the danger mark in several Uttar Pradesh districts. Flooding, bank erosion and waterlogging have affected low lying villages of Gonda, Azamgarh, Ambedkar Nagar, Barabanki and Bahraich..

Ghaghara River

The key features of the Ghaghara River are:

• Origin: The river originates in the Mapchachungo glaciers on the northern slopes of the Himalayas in the Tibetan Plateau at about 3,962 metres above sea level.
• Names: The river is called Karnali in Nepal and Mapcha Tsangpo in Tibet. In India’s Awadh region, its lower course is locally known as the Sarayu or Saryu River.
• Course: The river flows southeast through Nepal and cuts across the Siwalik Hills. Near Chisapani, it divides into the Geruwa and Kauriala branches before rejoining south of the Indian border.
• Course in India: The river enters India near Kotia Ghat and flows through Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. It joins the Ganga River near Revelganj in Bihar after a total course of 1,080 km.
• River System: The Ghaghara is a major left bank tributary of the Ganges. It is the largest Ganga tributary by volume and the second longest by length after the Yamuna.
• Catchment Area: The Ghaghara has a catchment area of about 127,950 sq. km. Around 45% of the basin lies in India, while about 55% lies in Nepal.
• Basin Extent: The Ghaghra basin covers China, Nepal, Uttarakhand, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh.
• Major Tributaries: Important tributaries include the Seti, Bheri, Rapti, Kuwana, Sarda, Saryu and Little Gandak. The Seti and Bheri are the main tributaries of the Karnali.
• Major Towns: Important towns in the basin include Ayodhya, Bahraich, Barabanki, Basti, Gonda, Gorakhpur, Sitapur, Tanda, Chapra, Siwan and Sonepur.
• Irrigation: The Girija Barrage in Bahraich is an important structure on the Ghaghara. The Sarda Sahayak Irrigation Project uses the combined flows of the Ghaghara and Sarda rivers.
• Flood Risk: Heavy monsoon rainfall and upstream water releases can rapidly increase river levels. 

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Ghaghara River Biodiversity

The Ghaghara and Karnali basin supports Himalayan, Siwalik and Terai ecosystems with important forests, aquatic species and protected wildlife habitats.

• Wildlife: Bardia supports Asian elephants, deer species, gaur, nilgai, Himalayan tahr, serow and goral. The Karnali-Ghaghara system also supports mugger crocodiles, gharials and golden mahseer.
• River Dolphins: The river supports the Gangetic River Dolphin Platanista gangetica. The Karnali basin contains Nepal’s last potentially viable population of Ganga River Dolphins.
• Vegetation: Vegetation changes with altitude. Alpine plants occur at higher elevations, while tropical and subtropical forests occur across the Siwalik and lower river regions.
• Bardia National Park: Bardia National Park covers 968 sq. km on the southern slopes of the Sivalik Hills. It is among the largest and least disturbed protected areas in the Karnali River basin.
• Katarniaghat Sanctuary: Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary in Uttar Pradesh is another important protected area associated with the Ghaghara river system and its diverse Terai ecosystem.
• Nepal Protected Areas: The Karnali basin includes important protected landscapes such as Shey Phoksundo National Park and Rara National Park, representing high altitude and Himalayan biodiversity.

Also Read: National Park in Uttar Pradesh