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| Last Updated:: 08/12/2023

Rivers

Drainage Map of Sikkim

 

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 Tributaries of Teesta River

Sl. No.

Left-bank Tributaries

Right-bank Tributaries

 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

 Lachung Chhu

Chakung Chhu

Dik Chhu

Rani Khola

Rangpo Chhu

Zemu Chhu

Rangyong Chhu

Rangit River

 

 

 

Major Rivers of Sikkim. Khola or Chu means a River

S.No

Name River

1

Teesta River

2

Rangeet River

3

Takcham Chu

4

Ramphu Chu

5

Aho Khola

6

Andheri Khola

7

Lachen Chu

8

Lachung Chu

9

Ratgabg Chu

10

Dickling Khola

11

Rongli Khola

12

Dichu

13

Pachey Khola

14

Rongni Chu

15

Roro Chu

16

Lungze Chu

17

Biju Chu

18

Rate Chu

19

Bakcha Chu

20

Resh Chu

21

Dick Chu

22

Reshi Chu

23

Chakung Chu

24

Ongchu

25

RumChu

26

Monmu Chu

27

Rang Phap Chu

28

Ramphu Chu

29

Rangyong Chu

30

Kayam Chu

31

Relli Chu

32

Rothak Chu

33

Reshi Chu

34

Kalej Chu

35

Rong Dung Chu

36

Rimbi Chu

37

Riyong Chu

38

Bhari Khola

39

Meyong Chu

40

Prekchu

41

Raman Khola

42

Song Khola

43

Pabong Khola

44

Yalichu

45

Reshi Chu

46

Kanaki

47

Hee Khola

48

Dentam Khola

49

Sangya Khola

50

Manpur Khola

51

Rolu Khola

52

Rab Khola

53

Seti Khola

54

Rabong Khola

55

Kaliz Khola

56

Rakel Chu

57

Talung Chu

58

Ringi Chu

59

Rahi Chu

60

Rongnek Chu

61

Rong Chu

62

Gangtok Chu

63

Khedum Chu

64

Byangya Chu

65

Bitchu Chu

66

Chyakum Chu

67

Yumthang Chu

68

Damang Chu

69

Berung Chu

70

Dongkhya Chu

71

Sebuchu

72

Toklumchu

73

Semachu

74

Sevochu

75

Zemachu

76

Chholamchu

77

Lhonakchu

78

Nakuchu

79

Lhorachu

80

Lungurachu

81

Gomarchu

82

Thomp

83

Pokechu

84

Burungchu

85

Gyamthang Chu

86

Kalep Chu

87

Lasha Chu

88

Tholangchu

89

Ringphichu

90

Umram Chu

91

Rubel Chu

92

Phensang Chu

93

Rateychu

94

Rangrang Chu

95

Rangchang Chu

96

Q Khola

97

Martam Khola

98

Neem Khola

99

Chokchurang Chu

100

Yangsha Chu

101

Chil Khola

102

Bareli Khola

103

Khani Khola (Melli)