Ghaghara

Ghaghara River is a major river in northern India and Nepal. In Nepal it is known as Karnali, the longest river in the country. It originates in the Tibetan Plateau near the Nepal-Tibet border and descends into Nepal's far-western region, where it is fed by glacial melt and rainfall.

From Nepal, the Ghaghara enters India in the state of Uttar Pradesh, continuing to flow through the northern plains and into Bihar, where it ultimately joins the Ganges. It is one of the principal tributaries of the Ganges, contributing to the river system that sustains large parts of northern India. As a transboundary river, it is part of broader water-management considerations between Nepal and India.

Hydrology and environment: The river's flow is highly seasonal, with floods during the monsoon and lower discharge in the dry season. The Ghaghara supports irrigation and agriculture across its plains, and provides habitats for freshwater fish. It is subject to siltation and sediment transport from upstream catchments, and several dam and irrigation projects have been proposed or built on sections of the river to regulate flow and generate power.

Cultural and economic significance: Along its course, towns and communities have depended on the Ghaghara for centuries for water, transportation, and livelihoods. The river also has ecological and economic importance for Nepal and India as part of the Ganges river basin.