Bhotekoshi River
The Bhote Koshi is the upper river course of the Sun Kosi, known as Poiqu in Tibet.[2] It is part of the Koshi River system in Nepal.[1]
Bhote Koshi (Poiqu) | |
---|---|
Bhote Koshi near the Tibetan border during dry season | |
Physical characteristics | |
Source | |
• location | Zhangzangbo Glacier, Tibet Autonomous Region |
• elevation | 8,012 m (26,286 ft) |
Mouth | |
• location | Sun Kosi near Balephi, Sindhupalchowk, Nepal |
• coordinates | 27°43′58″N 85°46′47″E |
• elevation | 640 m (2,100 ft)[1] |
Basin features | |
River system | Koshi River |
A western tributary of the upper Dudh Koshi is also called Bhote Koshi.[3]
River course
The headwaters of Poiqu and Bhote-Sun Koshi River are located at the Zhangzangbo Glacier in Tibet.[4] The river flows out of the Lumi Chimi lake. When entering Nepal, it is called Bhote Koshi. Further downstream, from the village of Bahrabise onwards, it is called Sun Koshi.[1]
Hazards
In July 1981, a sudden ice avalanche caused a Glacial Lake Outburst Flood in the moraine-dammed Zhangzangbu-Cho Lake in the headwaters of the Bhote Koshi. The ensuing debris flow destroyed bridges, and sections of both the Arniko and the Nepal–China highways.[5]
Names and etymology
Nepali: भोटे कोशी; Chinese: 波特科西; pinyin: Bōtè Kēxī
In Nepali language, the word "bhoṭe" or "bhoṭiyā" means Tibetan;[6] and the word "kosi" means river.[7]
Tourism and sports
The Bhote Kosi is used for both rafting and kayaking. It is the steepest river rafted in Nepal, with a gradient of 15 m per km. Bungee jumping or swinging over the Bhote Kosi has been described as the ‘ultimate experience’.[8]
The river carves a steep and direct drop at the top that gradually eases to more placid streams and calmer pools with a 46-km run at the Lamosunga dam. The rapids are class IV-V at high flow, and III at lower levels. The river is steep and continuous with one rapid leading into another.
References
- Shrestha, A. B., Eriksson, M., Mool, P., Ghimire, P., Mishra, B., & Khanal, N. R. (2010). Glacial lake outburst flood risk assessment of Sun Koshi basin, Nepal. Geomatics, Natural Hazards and Risk 1(2): 157–169.
- Yamada, T., Sharma, C. K. (1993). Glacier lakes and outburst floods in the Nepal Himalaya. IAHS Publications-Publications of the International Association of Hydrological Sciences, 218: 319–330.
- Kattelmann, R. (2003). Glacial lake outburst floods in the Nepal Himalaya: a manageable hazard? Natural Hazards 28(1): 145–154.
- Bajracharya, S. R., Mool, P. K., Shrestha, B. R. (2006). The impact of global warming on the glaciers of the Himalaya. Pages 231–242 in: Proceedings of the International Symposium on Geodisasters, Infrastructure Management and Protection of World Heritage Sites. Nepal Engineering College, Ehime College and National Society for Earthquake Technology Nepal.
- Mool, P. K.; Joshi, S. P.; Bajracharya, S. R. (2001). Glacial Lake Outburst Floods and Damage in the Country. Pages 121–136 in: Inventory of Glaciers, Glacial Lakes and Glacial Lake Outburst Floods: Monitoring and Early Warning Systems in the Hindu Kush-Himalayan Region, Nepal. International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development, Kathmandu.
- Turner, R. L. (1931). "bhote". A Comparative and Etymological Dictionary of the Nepali Language. K. Paul, Trench, Trubner: London.
- Turner, R. L. (1931). "kosi". A Comparative and Etymological Dictionary of the Nepali Language. K. Paul, Trench, Trubner: London.
- Bindloss, J. (2010). "Bungee Jumping". Nepal. Lonely Planet. p. 87. ISBN 9781742203614. Retrieved 2010-05-23.