Key Facts about Jiadhal River

April 15, 2024

The tranquil flow of the Jiadhal river is now being disrupted by the harsh realities of climate change.

About Jiadhal River:

  • It is a northern tributary of the Brahmaputra River.
  • Course:
    • It originates in the sub-Himalayan mountains of Arunachal Pradesh at an altitude of 1247m. The total length of the river is 187 km.
    • After passing through a narrow gorge in Arunachal Pradesh, the river enters the plains of Assam in Dhemaji district, where it flows in braided channels. 
    • The river finally debouches into the Brahmaputra near Selamukh in Lakhimpur district. But after the construction of the embankment over the Kherkutiya Suti of the Brahmaputra, the river confluences with the Subansiri River.
  • Topographically, the upper part of the basin is hilly (Himalayan range), and the middle part onwards is a plain area.
  • The sub-basin of Jiadhal experiences heavy rainfall. It carries heavy silt load from its 1346 sq. km catchment area during the rainy season and deposits them on its bed in the plains, resulting in the considerable rise of its riverbed. It is known for frequent changing of its course and devastating floods.
  • The river is a classic example of a flashy river and produces floods with a sudden, high discharge over a short time interval (a few hours to a day) and with a high sediment load and debris.

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