Which Indian river is known as the “Sorrow of Bihar” because of its frequent flooding?
The Kosi River is known as the “Sorrow of Bihar” because of its frequent and destructive floods. Originating in the Himalayan region of Tibet and Nepal, the Kosi enters Bihar and eventually joins the Ganga. The river carries a large amount of sediment from the young and geologically active Himalayas. As this sediment accumulates in its channel, the river becomes shallow and can change its course, sometimes spreading across a wide area.
For centuries, these changes in the Kosi’s course have caused severe flooding in northern Bihar, damaging crops, homes, roads, and other infrastructure. The river is particularly associated with the flood-prone districts of northeastern Bihar. Embankments and other flood-control measures have been constructed to reduce the impact, but flooding remains a recurring challenge. The Kosi’s unpredictable nature and its effects on communities have earned it the enduring name “Sorrow of Bihar.”
