Rapti River

The West Rapti River is a tributary of the Ghaghara River, both of which have their origins in Nepal. The Rapti Zone, located about 200 kilometers west of the Nepalese capital city of Kathmandu, is home to the West Rapti River.

• This river rises in the middle hills of Nepal, flowing initially through the Deukhuri valley and then taking a southeastern route into India. In India, the West Rapti River flows through the districts of Shravasti, Siddharth Nagar, Basti, Sant Kabir Nagar, and Gorakhpur before merging with the Ghaghara River at a place called Rajpur.
• From there, the Ghaghara River flows another 120 kilometers before joining the Ganga River in the Bihar state.

Origin and Journey

• The West Rapti River originates at a summit in the Western Himalayas and the Mahabharat range of mountains, at an elevation of 3,500 meters. Water flowing from the southern side of this summit eventually becomes the West Rapti River. As the river makes its way through Nepal, it passes through diverse terrains such as highlands, gorges, and valleys. Along the way, it is joined by several smaller rivers, including the Madi Khola, Lungri Khola, Amrukh Khola, Jhimruk Khola, and Mardi Khola, all of which merge with the West Rapti in Nepal.
• Another tributary of the West Rapti River is the Rohini, which also originates in Nepal but flows separately into India before becoming a left bank tributary of the West Rapti and merging with it near the city of Gorakhpur.

Seasonal Variations in Water Flow

• The water flow in the West Rapti River varies significantly depending on the season. During the monsoon season, the river can transform into a huge body of water, sometimes causing danger to agriculture and people in the surrounding area.
• In order to prevent such losses, the building of dams upstream is being considered as a priority. These dams can be used to store water for irrigation purposes and also have the potential to generate electricity. Other flood control programs are also being studied for their feasibility.

The West Rapti River is an important water source for the people and agriculture of Nepal and India. Its varying water flow and potential for danger during the monsoon season have led to efforts to find solutions such as dam building and flood control programs. The river’s journey through Nepal is also noteworthy, as it passes through a variety of terrains and is joined by several smaller tributaries along the way.