Paleo-avulsion dynamics and morphological behaviour of the Kosi River in North Bihar, India Online publication date: Wed, 26-Feb-2025
by Nikhil Roy; Suraj Prasad; Ved Prakash; Jyotsna Verma; David Haflongbar
International Journal of Water (IJW), Vol. 16, No. 3, 2024
Abstract: The Himalayan rivers exhibit large seasonal variations in sediment properties and dynamic flow regimes triggered by multifaceted factors like discharge, slope and bed materials. Originating in the Nepal Himalayas, the Kosi is a transboundary river known for its unique geomorphological and hydrological characteristics. Often called the "Sorrow of Bihar", the Kosi brings high sediment loads, frequent channel changes, and widespread flooding during the monsoon, resulting in widespread devastation in the northern plains of Bihar, India. Thus, the present study examines the river's avulsion dynamics through historical records, revealing that the river migrated 115 km westward between 1736 and 1949, causing devastating floods. The present study adopts the Plan Form Index (PFI) to understand the braiding behaviour of the river. It has been observed from the study that the river has shown an increasing braiding tendency, indicating the escalating channel instability in the river.
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