Ganges Basin

On the east the Ganges merges with the Brahmaputra through a complex system of common distributaries into the Bay of Bengal.

Several tributaries rise inside Tibet before flowing south through Nepal.

The basin comprises semi-arid valleys in the rain shadow north of the Himalaya, densely forested mountains south of the highest ranges, the scrubby Shiwalik foothills and the fertile Gangetic Plains.

In India, the states of Uttrakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and West Bengal are affected by floods.

The Ganges is joined by Kosi, Ghaghra, Gandak from the Himalayas and by Chambal, Betwa, Son from the peninsular region.