The Khawthlangtuipui River Flooding in Mizoram

The Khawthlangtuipui River Flooding in Mizoram

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Why in News

  • Continuous monsoon rainfall over the past week caused the Khawthlangtuipui River to overflow its banks.
  • The overflowing water submerged parts of the border town of Tlabung in Mizoram's Lunglei district.

About The Khawthlangtuipui River

  • The Khawthlangtuipui River is a major transboundary river flowing through Northeast India and southeastern Bangladesh.
  • Internationally, people know this river by its downstream name, the Karnaphuli River.
  • It serves as the main water source and drainage system for the entire southwestern zone of the Mizoram hills.
  • The river originates in the southwestern territory of Mizoram, crosses the international border into the Chittagong Hill Tracts in Bangladesh, and empties into the Bay of Bengal.
  • It acts as a natural geographical border between India and Bangladesh near the border sub-division of Tlabung.
  • The river begins its journey high up in the Lushai Hills located in northern Mizoram.

Key Features

  • The river relies on a strong network of hill streams like the Tuichawng and Phairuang in India, and the Kasalong and Chengi in Bangladesh.
  • The Kaptai Dam creates a large reservoir called Kaptai Lake, which helps generate electricity, manage water flow, and control seasonal floods.
  • The lower section of the river serves as a crucial shipping route for the Port of Chattogram, which is Bangladesh's largest maritime gateway.
  • A proposed transboundary bridge near Tlabung will connect Mizoram directly to Bangladesh and boost bilateral trade.

Significance

  • This river supports India's Act East Policy by giving landlocked Mizoram direct and shorter access to the Port of Chattogram and regional trade routes.
  • The Karnaphuli Hydroelectric Project generates electricity for industrial zones and processing plants, boosting economic growth in southeastern Bangladesh.