How we have categorised Regions

 Fallowed into: 3 Major and 4 minor but important Categories based on: "The Great Himalayan River system" River catchment, River flow and Plains (river slow){ Chure originated river system will fall into Plains,} [1. (Koshi, Gandaki and Karnali river system) 2. (Mecchi, Bagmati, Seti and Mahakali) Chure originated major river systems(Maai, Kamalaa, Rapti, ....so on)

🗺️ Nepal’s River Systems: A Regional Infogram

Mapping the Lifelines of the Nation from Chure to Himalaya

Nepal’s geography is shaped by its rivers—originating from glaciers, snowfields, and the Chure hills, flowing through valleys and plains, and nourishing ecosystems, agriculture, and culture. This infogram categorizes Nepal’s river systems into three major and four minor but vital groups, based on their origin, catchment areas, and flow dynamics.

🌊 1. Major River Systems

These rivers originate from the Greater Himalayas, fed by glaciers and snowfields, and form the backbone of Nepal’s hydrology.

🏔️ Koshi River System

  • Origin: Eastern Himalayas
  • Tributaries: Tamor, Arun, Dudh Koshi, Likhu, Tamakoshi, Sunkoshi, Indravati
  • Catchment Area: ~57,700 km²
  • Flow: Rapid descent through gorges into the Terai plains
  • Significance: Hydropower, agriculture, Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve
  • Challenge: Sedimentation, flooding, erosion

🏞️ Gandaki River System

  • Origin: Mustang region
  • Tributaries: Kali Gandaki, Marsyangdi, Trishuli, Budhi Gandaki, Seti, Madi, Daraudi
  • Catchment Area: ~32,057 km²
  • Flow: Deep gorges, cultural valleys, merges into Narayani
  • Significance: Religious heritage, hydropower, biodiversity
  • Challenge: Glacier lake outburst floods, deforestation

🌄 Karnali River System

  • Origin: Lake Mansarovar, Tibet
  • Tributaries: Humla Karnali, Mugu Karnali, Seti, Bheri
  • Catchment Area: ~45,000 km²
  • Flow: Western Nepal through steep terrain
  • Significance: Longest river, biodiversity hotspot, hydroelectric potential
  • Challenge: Landslides, sediment load, seasonal variation

🏞️ 2. Minor but Vital River Systems

These rivers are regionally significant, often originating from the Chure (Siwalik) hills, and play crucial roles in local agriculture, flood control, and cultural identity.

🌾 Mecchi River

  • Origin: Eastern Chure hills
  • Flow: Crosses Jhapa district into India
  • Role: Irrigation, border demarcation

🕉️ Bagmati River

  • Origin: Shivapuri hills near Kathmandu
  • Tributaries: Bishnumati, Dhobi Khola, Manohara
  • Role: Sacred river, urban drainage, cultural rituals
  • Challenge: Pollution, urban encroachment

🏔️ Seti River

  • Origin: Slopes of Api and Nampa peaks
  • Flow: Western Nepal, joins Karnali
  • Role: Aquatic biodiversity, hydroelectric potential

🌿 Mahakali River

  • Origin: Lipulekh Pass, Greater Himalayas
  • Tributaries: Chamelia, Surnagad
  • Role: Border river, irrigation, religious significance
  • Challenge: Transboundary management, climate vulnerability

🏞️ 3. Chure-Originated River Systems

These rivers begin in the Chure hills, flow slowly through the Terai, and are vital for local agriculture and floodplain ecology.

🌾 Maai River

  • Origin: Chure hills of Ilam
  • Flow: Eastern Terai
  • Role: Local irrigation, sediment transport

🌾 Kamala River

  • Origin: Chure Range near Maithan, Sindhuli
  • Flow: Through Siraha and Dhanusha into Bihar
  • Catchment Area: ~7,232 km²
  • Role: Agriculture, floodplain ecology
  • Challenge: Flooding, embankment breaches

🌾 Rapti River

  • Origin: Siwaliks of mid-western Nepal
  • Flow: Through Dang, Banke, Bardiya
  • Role: Irrigation, cultural landscape
  • Challenge: Sinuosity, sedimentation

🧭 Regional Focus: Chure to Himalaya vs. Tarai Belt

🏔️ Hill Region (Chure to Himalaya)

  • Topography: Steep, fragile, erosion-prone
  • River Flow: Fast, seasonal, high sediment load
  • Communities: Dependent on springs, small catchments
  • Challenges: Landslides, water scarcity in dry season

🌾 Tarai Belt

  • Topography: Flat, fertile floodplains
  • River Flow: Slower, meandering, prone to flooding
  • Communities: Dense population, agriculture-based
  • Challenges: Embankment breaches, waterlogging, transboundary issues

🌐 Explore More

Visit our Regional Infogram page 

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