Indigenous River Model BRAHMA-2D

December 22, 2023

GS Paper III Science and Technology

Context: An indigenous river model BRAHMA-2D (Braided River Aid: Hydro-Morphological Analyzer) is developed by the researchers of IIT Guwahati along with the Brahmaputra Board, Ministry of Jal Shakti.

IIT Guwahati researchers develop BRAHMA-2D model to understand flow of large braided rivers

The model was successfully validated on the Brahmaputra River near Majuli Island.
Findings of the research were published in the ISH Journal of Hydraulic Engineering earning the prestigious ‘ISH Jal Vigyan Puraskar’ (Best Paper in ISH Journal) 2023.

About BRAHMA-2D

BRAHMA-2D is a quasi-3D river flow mathematical model.
Aim: To study and understand the pace and movement of water at different depths inside a river and its circulation around a structure like a spur(installed to prevent river bank erosion) for large braided rivers like Brahmaputra.
It has also been applied to understand habitat suitability of aquatic species, especially endangered species, based on the availability of required depth and flow velocity.
Application:
- It will help understand how fast water moves at different depths in a river
- It will provide valuable insights to field engineers to design sustainable hydraulic structures like Spurs, Revetment and other river bank protection measures.
- The model will help to design bioengineering methods for controlling river bank erosion.

About Brahmaputra River

Origin: In the Mansarovar Lake region, near Mount Kailash, Tibet and is known as Yarlung Tsangpo here.
It is a trans-boundary river which flows through 3 countries ie. Tibet (China), India, and Bangladesh.
Major Tributaries:
- North bank: Subansiri, Ronganadi, Dikrong, Buroi, Borgong, Jia Bharali, Dhansiri (North) Puthimari, Manas, Beki, Aie, Sonkosh.
- South bank: Noadehing, Buridehing, Desang, Dikhow, Bhogdoi, Dhansiri (South), Kopilli, Kulsi, Krishnai, Dhdhnoi, Jinjiran.

Majuli Island

Majuli means ‘land in the middle of two parallel rivers’.
It is located in the Brahmaputra River, in Assam
It is the second largest freshwater river Island in the world which is prone to extensive river bank erosion.
It is formed by the convergence of the Kherkutia Xuti, a branch of the Brahmaputra and Subansiri River in the north.
It is the abode of the Assamese neo-Vaishnavite culture.
In 2016 it became the first island to be made a district in India.