News: The Bheja–Bakaur Kosi Bridge project is nearing completion to improve connectivity in flood-affected regions of Madhubani and Supaul in Bihar.
About Kosi River
- Origins: The Kosi River is formed by the confluence of the Sun Kosi, Arun Kosi, and Tamur Kosi, originating in the Himalayan regions of Nepal and Tibet, and enters India in Bihar.
- Geographical boundaries Kosi river basin: The river basin is surrounded by ridges which separate the Kosi from the Yarlung Tsangpo River in the north, the Gandaki River in the west and the Mahananda River in the east.
- Length: The Kosi River is about 724 km long.
- Tributaries of Kosi: It is called Saptakoshi because it has seven main tributaries, namely Sun Kosi, Tama Kosi, Dudh Koshi, Indravati, Arun Kosi, Likhu Khola, and Tamur.
- Joins into: It joins the Ganges River near Kursela in the Katihar district of Bihar.
- It is the third-largest tributary of the Ganges by water discharge after the Ghaghara and the Yamuna.
- It is known as the “Sorrow of Bihar” due to frequent floods and rapid westward shifting of its river channel.
- Its vast alluvial fan in north-east Bihar is one of the largest in the world and supports fertile agriculture.
- Cultural Significance: The Kosi River, known as Kausiki in the Mahabharata, is the lifeline of the Mithila region.
