The pride of Bangladesh is its rivers with one of the
largest networks in the world with a total number of about 700 rivers
including tributaries, which have a total length of about 24,140 km.
They consist of tiny hilly streams, winding seasonal creeks, muddy
canals (
khals), some truly magnificent rivers and their tributaries and distributaries. In some places, such as Patuakhali, Barisal and
sundarbans
area the watercourses are so plentiful that they form a veritable maze.
The watercourses of the country are obviously not evenly distributed.
They increase in numbers and size from the northwest of the northern
region to the southeast of southern region. Bangladesh has predominantly
four major river systems - (1) the Brahmaputra-Jamuna, (2) the
Ganges-Padma, (3) the Surma-Meghna, and (4) the Chittagong Region river
system. However, Brahmaputra is the 22nd longest (2,850 km) and
the Ganges is the 30th longest (2,510 km) river in the world.
Preparing a complete list of the rivers of Bangladesh
is more or less tough as often a single river possesses different names
at different places. Even a five or six-kilometre segment has a different
name upstream or downstream. Also a single name is used for different
rivers in different locations. Here, an attempt has been made to present
districtwise list of rivers.
Rangpur Dudhkumar,
Raidak, Dharala, Tista, Shati, Burikhora-Chiki, Kharvaja, Ghaghat, Jamuneshwari,
Aakhir, Kharkharia, Basmai, Dewnai, Chiki, Nilkumar, Bharola, Gadadhar,
Sankona, Noadihing, Buridihing, Disang, Dikhu, Kalanga. Kopili, Titash-Giri,
Brahmaputra: (26 rivers).
Dinajpur
Pathraj, Talma, Punarbhaba, Tepa, Tangon, Dahuk, Ghoramara, Jamuna,
Koram, Atrai, Kulica, Baral, Garveshwari, Jabuneshwari, Jaldhaka, Torsa,
Kollani, Raidak: (18 rivers).
Rajshahi Fakirni-Baranai, Shiba-Baranai, Mahananda, Pagla, Musa Khan, Ganges, Baranai, Hoja, Godari, Gumani: (10 rivers)
Pabna Gur, Bogra Ichamati, Baral, Hurasagar, Durgadaha, Sukhdaha, Bagra (Usium), Talan: (8 rivers)
Bogra Karatoya,
Kathakoli, Bangali, Tulsiganga, Little Jamuna, Nosar, Badal: (7 rivers).
Dhaka
Bangsi, Turag, Tongi Khal, Buriganga, Dhaleshwari, Kaliganga, Gazi
Khal, Banar, Balu,
Shitalakshya, Lohajang, Fuldi, Bhubaneshwari, Kirtinasha or Sreepur
(Shitalakshya), Ichamati, Malik Bader Khal, Gajahatar Khal, Ilshamari:
(18 rivers).
Mymensingh
Jheenai, Aiman, Sutia, Old Brahmaputra, Gharota Nadi,
Simahali, Narasundar, Bothai, Nitari, Shomeshwari, Kangsha, Gunai,
Kachamathia, Pankura, Saidul, Mogra, Rangra, Kharmori, Mahadeva,
Jadukata, Dhanu, Baulai, Shirkhali, Chellakhali, Motichick, Chalhi,
Bangshai, Manas, Putia, Jinjiram, Subonfiri, Baleshwar, Vogai Kangsa,
Kaulai, Dhanu, Silai, Kharmeni: (37 rivers).
Sylhet
Surma, Piyain, Sharigoyain, Bagra Gang, Noiya Gang, Shawla, Dhamalia,
Manai Bardal, Juri, Manu, Dhalai, Langla (Karangi), Khowai, Sutang,
Kushiyara, Madhabpur, Mahasing, Khajanchi, Vattakhal, Kalni, Jamalpur,
Boraba, Lova, Hari, Bogapani, Dhariana, Dhoai, Jadukata, Dhala-Dhalai
Gang, Gopla-Langla, Mogai-Chalti, Rakti, Poiyanda, Vera, Mohana,
Dhanu-Baulai: (36 rivers).
Comilla
Titas, Gumti, Dhanagoda, Dakatia, Dapla Gang, Haora, Kathalia, Sonai,
Satnal, Buri, Khaliajhuri, Batakandi, Moricha, Aarshi, Gopi, Marjora,
Ghungat, Kheru Nadi, Baijani, Pagli, Shirai, Chandina Khal, Kakri,
Malda, Anderson Khal, Matlab, Udnandi or Udmadhi, Kagni, Harimangal,
Kurulia, Jaidind, Sonaimuri, Handachera, Jangalia, Durduria, Buri or
Bijoy Ganga, Kaladumuria, Burigang, Bijoypur Khal, Chauddagram Khal,
Nolia, Bijoli, Ghungar: (44 rivers).
Noakhali
Madhukhali Khal, Rahmatkhali Khal, Muhuri, Little Feni, Silonia, Feni,
Vulua, Hatiya, Atiabari Khal, Kalir Khal, Patkata Khal, Kothakoli Khal,
Baparashi Khal, Goalkhali Khal, Atra Khal, Hura Khal, Gahojatli Khal,
Halda, Ichamati: (19 rivers).
Chittagong
Halda, Karnafuli, Sangu, Matamuhuri, Bogakhali, Satal Khal, Ichamati,
Muhuri, Nad, Kablong, Rakhiang, Satta, Shilpa, Tuibang, Koka, Sreema,
Boalkhali, Mogdai, Dongkhal, Naraiyangiri, Chiringa, Icchakhali, Kursai,
Sindur Ganga, Kaptai, Rigari Khingar, Chandakhali, Kumirakhali, Chengi,
Maini: (30 rivers).
Kushtia Mathabhanga, Garai, Jalangi, Magarkhali: (4 rivers).
Jessore
Upper Bhairab, Lower Bhairab, Chitra, Begavati, Nabaganga, Chandana,
Kobadak, Barasia, Kholpotua, Alengkhali, Pangubi, Kaba, Kaliganga,
Kathipata, Dartanar Khal, Marichhop, Chandkhoni, Pangani, Naingatra
Samudra, Baragang, Kumar, Bara Gangdiadaha, Amla Madarpur, Dakoiya, Mara
Gorai, Barasia, Palang, Atrai: (28 rivers).
Faridpur Madhumati, Kumar, Arial Khan, Atai, Madaripur Beel Rout: (5 rivers).
Khulna
Bhadra, Atharobanki, Alaipur Khal, Kholpotua, Shibsa, Rupsa,
Baleshwar, Gasiakhali, Pasur, Aar, Pangania, Oratama, Ichhamati, Namud
Samudra, Sonagang, Bhangra, Kunga, Malancha, Satkhira, Sutakhali,
Raimangal, Marjat, Harinbhanga, Mahavanga, Galangi, Haripur, Sonai,
Budhatar Gang, Dhaki, Galghemia, Uzirpur, Katakhal, Guchiakhali,
Badurgachha, Deluti, Manas, Koiyara, Aar-Shibsa, Kalindi, Majudkhali
Khal, Aakrar Khal, Mongla, Sola, Paiyra, Aandranmukho, Muhuri, Modla,
Hariabhanga, Gangubi, Katcha, Pakashia, Moiyar Gang, Kabipata, Jhank,
Shialir Khal, Naraiyankhali, Kadamtali, Bangra, Shila, Kalagachhia,
Banshtali, Salokhi, Shakbaria, Aalki, Manikdia, Chandeshwar, Pankushi,
Baleshwar Balmarjar or Manjal, Kagibagh, Rampal: (71 rivers).
Barisal
Bishkhali, Shawrupkathi or Sandhiya, Babuganj, Agunmukha, Hemda,
Lohalia, Shahbazpur, Naiyabhanga, Rajganj, Ganeshpur, Dubaldia, Torki or
Turkey, Kirtankhola, Dharamganj, Jhilinha, Mankutha, Multani, Karkhoma,
Aagli, Dhulia, Gangalia, Burishwar, Kaliganga, Haringhata, Patua,
Tentulia, Dhalia, Nilashi, Nabaganga, Bhola, Pakashia, Chandana or
Pangsa, Jabnashbad, Baleshwar, Shamsan Ghat, Moiyar Gang, Naiya Bhangni,
Gournadi, Kalabadar, Mirgamari, Katcha, Lata, Ilish or Ilsha,
Kabahkali, Madhumati, Andhar Manik, Rabnabad or Patua, Bura Gauranga,
Bakerganj, Aamtola, Dhansiri, Sugandha, Jhalokati, Chalna, Aalengkali,
Nalbiti, Kharborabad, Galachipa: (58 rivers).
Sundarban area
Baleshwar, Sumati, Chhaprakhali, Bara Sheola, Harin China,
Sharankhola, Ambare, Chandeswar, Kapa, Kalida, Sathka, Javo, Mara Pasur,
Dangmari, Bile, Chhutorkhali, Chalo Bagi, Harmahal, Beri-aada, Bakir
Khal, Aar-Shibsa, Hadda, Mahishe, Chhachhon Hogla, Majjot,
Shakbare-Singa, Golkhali, Kukumari, Kalagachhe, Domorkhali, Hansarag,
Kaga, Nilkamal, Khejurdana, Sejikhali, Baintala, Bangabali, Dobeki,
Firingi, Mando, Keorasuti, Bando, Dhakola, Lataberi, Bhetoipara,
Baluijhanki, Kalikabari, Bekardon, Andharmanik, Jhale, Patkosta, Base,
Golbhaksa, Dhanibune, Harikhali, Manasar Ber, Puspakati, Gangasagar,
Kali Lai, Bogi Chenchane, Kurekhali, Bhuer Dane, Katheswar,
Sonarupakhali, Dudhmukh, Lathikara, Terokati, Dhanghara, Arbase,
Dakshinchara, Sapkhali, Kadamtali, Burer Dabur, Luxmi Pasur, Manki,
Ashashuni, Taltakta, Dhabjikhali, Mandaptala, Netokhali, Bhayela,
Baganbari, Jharabagna, Bagaura, Baksakhali, Chailtabari, Singartali,
Mathabhanga, Narayantali, Kaikhali, Mathura, Khasitana, Agunjala,
Phuljhuri, Malabaga, Khamurdana, Ubde, Gubde, Sonaipanthi, Dhonairgang,
Kanaikhathi, Marichjhapi, Netai Talpanthi, Dhanpati, Ragakhali, Mukta
Bangal, Arijakhali, Dulor Tek, Zingili, Bibir Made, Tekakhali, Deur
Zande, Chamta Kamta, Kunche Mathe, Bayla Koyla, Madar Bare, Bayar Nala,
Hunke, Dhancher Nadi, Mulye Meghna, Bailo, Betmuri, Burigolli, Chunkuri,
Mayadi, Phulbari, Taltali, Angra Kana, Garar Nadi, Badamtali, Bhuter
Gang, Baikuntha Hana, Karpuro, Chhaya Halri, Arbhanga, Talakpanthi,
Khejure Kurule, Chhoto Sheola, Kanchikata, Dair Gang, Baikiri, Jalghata,
Ilishmari, Jhalki, Satnala, Makurni, Helar Ber, Kalinde, Shakbhate,
Gonda, Pala, Terobenki, Talbare, Her Matla, Bhurbhure, Chhadankhali,
Phataker Dane, Bharkunde, Kendakhali, Naobenki, Kalaser Bali, Panir
Khal, Kultali, Barabare, Mukule, Madhukhali, Pashkati, Gochhba, Ghat
Harano, Gabandara, Loker Chhipi, Bahar Nadipar, Bara Matla, Payra Thuni,
Kalbeyara, Dhukuni, Parshe Mari: (177 rivers). [Mohd Shamsul Alam and
Masud Hasan Chowdhury]
Bibliography
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the Soils of Bangladesh, University Press Limited, Dhaka, 1996; Bangladesh
Bureau of Statistics (BBS), Statistical Year Book of Bangladesh 1998,
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