Meghna River, Origin, Depth, Formation, Tributaries, River System

The Meghna River is a major river of Bangladesh and a key watercourse of the Ganges Delta. It belongs to the Surma-Meghna River System. It is formed when the Surma and Kushiyara rivers meet in Kishoreganj District, Bangladesh. The river later joins the Padma and Jamuna near Chandpur. It finally drains into the Bay of Bengal through four principal mouths. The Meghna supports fisheries, navigation, agriculture, wetlands and floodplain ecosystems.

Meghna River

The Meghna River links northeastern India with Bangladesh and forms an important part of the Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna basin. Its major physical and ecological features are given below.

• Origin: The origin of Meghna River sources to the Barak River that originates in the Manipur Hills at 2,331 m and enters Assam before splitting into the Surma and Kushiyara rivers in Karimganj District in India.
• Formation: The Meghna River is formed by the confluence of the Surma and Kushiyara in Kishoreganj District, Bangladesh.
• Meghna River in India: The river does not flow as the Meghna in India. Its upstream source is the Barak River, which flows through Manipur, Mizoram and Assam.
• Meghna River Name in India: The upstream river is called Barak in India. Near Karimganj, the Barak divides into the Surma and Kushiyara before entering Bangladesh.
• Upper and Lower Meghna: The Upper Meghna extends towards Chandpur. After the Padma joins it at Chandpur, the river is called the Lower Meghna.
• River System: The Meghna forms part of the Ganga–Brahmaputra-Meghna basin and is a major watercourse of the Padma River delta in Bangladesh.
• Tributaries: Major tributaries include Dhaleshwari, Gumti, Feni, Kalni, Ghorautra, Old Brahmaputra and Titas. The Titas leaves and later rejoins the Meghna.
• Meghna River Depth: The river has an average depth of 1,012 feet. Its channels and sandbanks can shift, making navigation possible but potentially dangerous.
• Length and Basin: The Upper Meghna has a length of 140 km. The broader Upper Meghna-Kalni-Kushiyara-Barak course extends to 1,040 km and drains 85,401.1 sq km.
• Discharge Volume: The average discharge was recorded as 5,603.2 m³/s during 1971-2000.
• Flora and Vegetation: Charlands support grasses such as Kash. Wetlands contain floating and submerged plants, while lower estuarine areas support salttolerant Sundri and Gewa vegetation.
• Fauna: The river supports over 100 fish species, including Hilsa shad, Pabdah, Silond and carps. It also provides habitat for river dolphins, otters, turtles and migratory birds.
• Economic and Ecological Role: The Meghna supports fisheries, navigation and local livelihoods. Its freshwater, floodplain, wetland, charland and estuarine habitats sustain significant biodiversity.

Also Read:- Bay of Bengal

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