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About Wang Chhu |
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The Wang Chhu (also called Wong Chhu
or Raidak in Bhutan) is a tributary of the Brahmaputra River,
and a trans-boundary river which flows through India,
Bangladesh and Bhutan. |
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Wang Chhu in
West Bengal and
Bangladesh |
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It debouches into the plains in
Jalpaiguri district and then flows through Cooch Behar district
in West Bengal. The Raidak confluences with the Brahmaputra at
chain age 327 km in Kurigram District in Bangladesh, where it is
sometimes referred to Dudhkumar River.
The total length of the main river is
370 kilometres (230 mi) but along with its tributaries, it
covers a length of almost 610 kilometres (380 mi) in Bhutan
alone. |
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Wang Chhu in
Bhutan |
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The Wang Chhu, or Raidāk, rises in the
Himalayas. In its upper reaches it is also known as the Thimphu
Chhu. The main river is a speedy stream which runs over a bed of
large stones. Between Thimphu and the convergence with the Paro
Chhu, the course of the river is not harshly confined but, after
leaving the convergence, it runs through a narrow defile between
very steep cliffs. Then it flows southeast through a fairly open
valley, its course spreads with large boulders against which the
water bubbles violently. It is joined by some small tributaries
flowing from nearby mountains. Just above Paro Dzong a
substantial feeder, the Ta Chhu, joins it from the left. To the
west, the Ha Chhu drains into the Wong Chhu. At Tashichho Dzong
the bed of the river is about 2,121 metres (6,959 ft) above sea
level and at the point of its exit in the Dooars its altitude is
only 90 metres (300 ft). |
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Chukha
hydel plant |
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The 336 MW Chukha hydel project,
which links the waters of the Wang Chhu or Raidak River,
was historically one of the largest single investments
undertaken in Bhutan, and it symbolized a major step
toward exploiting the country's vast hydroelectric
potential. It was founded by India on a turnkey basis,
with India providing 60% of the capital in a grant and 40%
in a loan at very concessional terms and conditions. In
the arrangement, India receives in turn all the
electricity generated from the project in excess of
Bhutan’s demand at much cheaper prices than India’s
generation cost from alternative sources.
Diversion dam is situated between
Thimphu and the Indian border, a 40 metres (130 ft).
Diversion dam was founded at Chimakoti village, 1.6
kilometres (0.99 mi) upstream of the convergence of the Ti
Chhu and Wong Chhu rivers. Construction started in 1974
and completed in 1986-88.
From the dam water was diverted
through 6.5 kilometres (4.0 mi) long channels to a fall of
more than 300 metres (980 ft) to Chukha power house for
generation of electricity. |
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