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Teesta River
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Teesta River Map of South Asia highlighting the Tista River in orange, showing its location flowing from northern India through Bangladesh. Surrounding countries including Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Sri Lanka are labeled, with major water bodies such as the Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal, and Indian Ocean also marked.
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Also spelled:
Tista
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Teesta River
Teesta River Originating in the eastern Himalayas, the Teesta River flows through northeastern India before joining the Brahmaputra.

Teesta River

river, Asia
Also known as: Tista River
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Britannica Editors
Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree....
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•History

Teesta River, a tributary of the Jamuna River (Brahmaputra River), flowing through India and Bangladesh. It rises in the Himalayas near Chunthang in Sikkim (India), flows to the south, cutting a deep gorge through the Siwalik Hills east of Darjiling (in West Bengal, India), and turns southeast to run through the Sivok Khola pass onto the plains of West Bengal. Originally, the river continued southward to empty directly into the upper Padma River (Ganges [Ganga] River). About 1787, however, the river changed its course to flow eastward, crossing the Rangpur region of Bangladesh to join the Jamuna River near Chilmari after a total course of about 200 miles (320 km).

Map of South Asia highlighting the Tista River in orange, showing its location flowing from northern India through Bangladesh. Surrounding countries including Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Sri Lanka are labeled, with major water bodies such as the Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal, and Indian Ocean also marked.
Teesta River

The flow of the Teesta is greatest during the summer (June to September), when the monsoon rains are heaviest and glaciers supply abundant meltwater. Its lower reaches are marked by flooding and frequent, violent course changes; navigation is impaired by shoals and quicksand near the junction with the Jamuna. The Teesta Barrage is a dam that helps to provide irrigation for the plains between the upper Padma and the Jamuna.

The Editors of Encyclopaedia BritannicaThis article was most recently revised and updated by Andrew Pereira.
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