Introduction to Raidak river

The Raidak River may be a tributary of the Brahmaputra and a transboundary river. It flows through Bhutan, India and Bangladesh. The Wang Chhu, or Raidāk, rises within the Himalayas. In its upper reaches, it’s also called the Thimphu Chhu. The river may be a rapid stream, running over a bed of huge boulders.
Between Thimphu and the confluence with the Paro Chhu, the course of the river isn’t very confined but, after leaving the confluence, it runs through narrow spaces between the cliffs.
It subsequently flows southeast through a relatively open valley and its course strewed with large boulders against which the water foams violently. It’s joined by several small tributaries flowing from nearby mountains. Just above the Paro Dzong, a substantial feeder, called the Ta Chhu, joins it from the left side.
To the west of it, the Ta Chhu river drains into the Wong Chhu. At Tashichho Dzong, the bed of the river is about 2,121 metres (6,959 ft) above water level and at the purpose of its exit within the Dooars, its elevation is barely 90 metres (300 ft).

Raidak river

It merges into the plains of the Jalpaiguri district. Next, it flows through the Cooch Behar district in West Bengal. The Raidak confluences with the Brahmaputra at chainage 327 km in Kurigram District in Bangladesh, where it’s sometimes mentioned as Dudhkumar River.
The entire length of most rivers is 370 kilometres (230 mi) but together with its tributaries, it covers a length of nearly 610 kilometres (380 mi) in Bhutan alone.

The course of Raidak River

The river rises within the Himalayas and is thought of as Thimphu Chhu in its upper reaches. It also passes through various other mountains and valleys in Bhutan. In its journey, it’s joined by several small tributaries flowing from nearby mountains. The river is thought of because of the Wong in its upper course in Bhutan.
The river after traversing through the mountainous terrain in Bhutan comes back to the plains in India, into the plains in Jalpaiguri district and so flows through Cooch Behar district within the state. After flowing into the Indian subcontinent, the river enters Bangladesh. The Raidak River merges with the river within the national limits of Bangladesh.
The confluence takes place at the chainage of about 327 km. Raidak River flows through India, Bhutan and Bangladesh
The Wang Chhu, or Raidak, rises within the Himalayas. In its upper reaches, it’s also called the Thimphu Chhu. The river may be a rapid stream, running over a bed of enormous boulders. Between Thimphu and the confluence with the Paro Chhu, the course of the river isn’t severely confined but, after leaving the confluence, it runs through a narrow defile between various cliffs.
It subsequently flows southeast through a relatively open valley, its course strewed with large boulders against which the water foams violently. It’s joined by several small tributaries flowing from nearby mountains. Just above the Paro Dzong, the Ta
Chhu joins it from the left. Towards the west, the Ta Chhu drains into the Wong Chhu. At Tashichho Dzong the bed of the river is about 2,121 metres (6,959 ft) above water level and at the purpose of its exit within the Dooars, its elevation is just 90 metres (300 ft).

West Bengal and Bangladesh

It debouches into the plains in Alipurduar District ( Kamakhyaguri ) and so flows through the Cooch Behar district in the state. The Raidak confluences with the Brahmaputra at chainage 327 km in Kurigram District in Bangladesh, where it’s sometimes brought up as Dudhkumar River.
The total length of many rivers is around 370 kilometres but Raidak, combined with its tributaries, covers a length of nearly 610 kilometres (380 mi) in Bhutan alone.

Tributary of Raidak River

An important tributary of the river is the River Torso. The Torso River originates from the Chambi Valley of Tibet and is referred to as the Machu in this region. The river then travels through Bhutan as Amo then again enters India, Bangladesh and at last meets the Raidak River.

Chukha Hydel Project on Raidak River

India built a 336MW Chukha Hydel project on Raidak River in Bhutan on a turnkey basis, with India providing 60% of the capital in the form of grants and 40% in the form of loans on highly concessional terms and conditions. The development of the project began in 1974 and completed in 1986-88.

Tala hydroelectric plant

Tala Hydroelectric powerhouse may be a run-of-the-river type hydroelectric powerhouse on the Wangchu River in Chukha District, Bhutan. The station consists of a 92-metre (302 ft) tall gravity dam which diverts water through a 22 km (14 mi) long headrace tunnel to the facility station, which contains six 170 megawatts (230,000 hp) Pelton turbine-generators.
The Tala dam is found about 3 km downstream of the Chukha powerhouse.

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Fact about the dry and drought land in India

By Arpit Mangal