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Key Facts about Subansiri River

Aug. 16, 2026

The Subansiri River in Arunachal Pradesh's Upper Subansiri district has risen to an unusually high and forceful level despite no rainfall being reported in the area, raising concerns among local residents.

About Subansiri River:

  • It is a right-bank tributary of the Brahmaputra River, originating in Tibet and flowing through Arunachal Pradesh and Assam.
  • It is a trans-Himalayan and an antecedent river, meaning it existed before the Himalayas rose and continued its course through the mountains.
  • It is also called the “Gold River” because of the gold dust found in its waters.
  • Course:
    • It originates in the Tibetan Plateau, where it is formed by the confluence of three small streams: Lokong Chu, Chayal Chu, and Tsari Chu.
    • It flows eastward in Tibet before turning south and entering India near Taksing in Arunachal Pradesh.
    • In Arunachal Pradesh, the Subansiri River flows east and southeast through the Miri Hills, carving deep gorges and creating a rugged landscape.
    • In the Eastern Himalayas, it descends into the Assam Valley at Dulangmukh in Dhemaji district.
    • Here, it slows down and meanders through the plains for about 86 km, passing near Majuli—the world’s largest river island—before merging with the Brahmaputra River at Jamurighat in Lakhimpur district, Assam.
    • It is the largest tributary of the Brahmaputra
  • The river is fed by a combination of snowmelt from its Tibetan headwaters and the intense southwest monsoon precipitation that falls over the Himalayan foothills between June and September.
  • Tributaries: Major tributaries of the river are Laro, Nye, Yume, Tsari, Kamla, Jiyadhol, Ranganadi and Dikrong.
  • Lower Subansiri Hydroelectric Project:
    • It is a 2000 MW run-of-the-river hydro project being constructed on the Subansiri River.
    • It is located at Gerukamukh on the Arunachal Pradesh–Assam border.
    • It will be the single largest hydroelectric plant in India when completed.

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