Source: TOI
Context: A recent flash flood in Dharali, Uttarakhand altered the course of the Bhagirathi River, forcing the Kheer Gad tributary back to its old channel and significantly reshaping the river’s morphology, as confirmed by ISRO satellite imagery.
About Bhagirathi River:
- What It Is?
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- A major Himalayan River and one of the two headstreams of the Ganga.
- Holds mythological significance in Hinduism as the river brought to earth by King Bhagiratha.
- Origin:
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- Emerges from the Gaumukh glacier at an elevation of 3,892 m in Uttarakhand’s Gangotri region.
- States Flow Through:
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- Uttarakhand (primary state) — flows through towns such as Gangotri, Harsil, Uttarkashi, Tehri, and Devprayag.
- Tributaries:
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- Kedar Ganga – at Gangotri.
- Jadh Ganga – at Bhaironghati.
- Kakora Gad, Jalandhari Gad, Siyan Gad – near Harsil and Jhala.
- Asi Ganga – near Uttarkashi.
- Bhilangna River – near Old Tehri (originates from Khatling Glacier).
- It Is Tributary Of: Joins Alaknanda River at Devprayag, after which the river is known as the Ganga.
- Key Features:
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- Hydrological Significance – Although mythologically considered the Ganga’s source, hydrologically the Alaknanda has greater length and discharge.
- Cultural Importance – Sacred to Hindus and linked with legends from the Ramayana and Puranas.
- Dynamic Morphology – Prone to course changes due to landslides, floods, and high sediment load in the tectonically active Himalayas.
- Strategic Infrastructure – Tehri Dam built at the confluence with Bhilangna River.
- Environmental Sensitivity – Originates in an ecologically fragile zone, prone to glacial meltwater surges and flash floods.
