Indravati River, Nepal

The Indravati River (Nepali: इन्द्रावती नदी) is part of the Kosi river system in Nepal.

Kosi river system

The Kosi or Sapt Kosi drains eastern Nepal. It is known as Sapt Koshi because of the seven rivers which join together in east-central Nepal to form this river. The main rivers forming the Kosi system are – the Sun Kosi River, the Indravati River, the Bhola Koshi, the Dudh Kosi, Arun River, Barun River, and Tamur River. The combined river flows through the Chatra Gorge in a southerly direction to emerge from the hills.^[1][2]

Course

It rises in the south-facing slopes of the main Himalayan range. The catchment of this river extends from the eastern rim of the Kathmandu basin to the Indravati – Sun Kosi water divide. That includes the eastern slopes of Kathmandu basin.^[3]

The Indravati River flows over a steep gradient, resulting in large rapids in its upper course. The steep edges virtually terminate at the water’s end. The water flows past inter locking spurs. Alpine, sub-alpine and temperate forests occur at different heights in the catchment area. Small villages have come up along the middle and lower courses.^[3]The Indravati meets the Sun Kosi at Dolalghat. It is on the Arniko Highway linking Kathmandu with the Nepal-Tibet border.^[4]

References