ENVIS Hub: Sikkim
Status of Environment and Related Issues

THE TEESTA and ITS TRIBUTARIES

Teesta is the major river system in the State. Teesta river originates as Chhombo Chhu from a glacial lake Khangchung Chho at an elevation of 5,280 m in the northeastern corner of the state. The glacial lake lies at the snout of the Teesta Khangse glacier descending from Pauhunri peak (7,056 m) in north western direction. Teesta Khangse glacier and Chho Lhamo are also considered as the source of Teesta river by many authors. Along its traverse from its origin to the plains, the river receives drainage from a number of tributaries on either side of its course. The tributaries on the eastern flank are shorter in course but larger in number whereas the tributaries on the western flank are much longer with larger drainage areas, consequently contributing much more amount of discharge to the main Teesta river. Furthermore, right-bank tributaries drain heavily glaciated areas with large snow-fields. The left bank tributaries, on the other hand, originate from semi-permanent and much smaller snow-fields as compared to right bank tributaries.

The major tributaries of Teesta river are listed below. For better understanding of Teesta river system, it has been divided into a number of river sub-systems which are described in the succeeding paragraphs. These sub-systems are: i) Chhombo Chhu/ Teesta river upstream of Zemu Chhu-Teesta confluence, ii) Zemu Chhu, iii) Teesta river between Lachen and Chungthang, iv) Lachung Chhu, v) Chungthang-Mangan and Chakung Chhu sub-system, vi) Rangyong (Talung) Chhu, vii) Dik Chhu, viii) Teesta river between Mangan and Singtam, ix) Rani Khola, x) Teesta river between Teesta-Rani Khola confluence and Teesta-Rangpo Chhu confluence, xi) Rangpo Chhu, xii) Rangit River, and xiii) Jaldhaka River.

Major Rivers of Sikkim. Khola or Chu means a River