Context
The Teesta River was recently in the news after a four-day-old elephant calf was swept away by floodwaters and rescued.
About the River
- Origin: The Teesta originates in North Sikkim, with its headwaters linked to the Pahunri (Teesta Khangse) Glacier and Tso Lhamo Lake.
- Course: It flows through Sikkim and West Bengal, cutting through deep Himalayan gorges, passes the Sevoke/Sivok region, and enters Bangladesh.
- Drainage: The Teesta is a major tributary of the Brahmaputra and joins it in Bangladesh, near Rangpur, where the Brahmaputra is called the Jamuna.
- Tributaries: Major tributaries include Rangeet (Rangit), Lachung Chhu, Dik Chhu and Rangpo Chhu. The Rangeet joins the Teesta at Teesta Bazaar in West Bengal.
- Basin: About 83% of the Teesta basin lies in India and 17% in Bangladesh, making it an important transboundary river.
FAQs
Q1. The Teesta is a tributary of which major river?
Ans. It is a major tributary of the Brahmaputra.
Q2. Where does the Teesta originate?
Ans. It originates in North Sikkim, with its sources associated with the Pahunri/Teesta Khangse Glacier and Tso Lhamo Lake.
Q3. Which Indian states are drained by the Teesta basin?
Ans. The Teesta flows through Sikkim and West Bengal before entering Bangladesh.
Q4. Where does the Teesta ultimately drain?
Ans. It joins the Brahmaputra (Jamuna) in Bangladesh, and the combined river system ultimately drains into the Bay of Bengal.
