Examine the drainage network and hydrological characteristics of the Barak River system in Assam: Statement I: The Barak River enters Assam through Cachar district after flowing through Manipur and Mizoram, subsequently bifurcating into the Surma and Kushiyara rivers in Bangladesh. Statement II: The Barak Valley is geographically separated from the Brahmaputra Valley by the intervening upland barrier of the Karbi Anglong hills and North Cachar ranges. Which of the following is correct?

💡 Solution & Explanation

The Barak River forms the principal drainage artery of southern Assam, flowing past Silchar before splitting into distributaries across the Bangladesh border, while being physically segregated from the Brahmaputra basin by the Barail hill range. Alternative claims that the Barak drains directly into the Brahmaputra within India are geographically false. The valley experiences exceptionally heavy monsoon precipitation and frequent flood inundation due to funnel-shaped topography.