Karnaphuli, Major river system in Chittagong region, Bangladesh and Mizoram state, India
The Karnaphuli is a river system that extends 270 kilometers from Saithah village in Mizoram through the Chittagong Hill Tracts before reaching the Bay of Bengal. It flows through diverse terrain and forms a vital water route connecting different regions.
British colonial forces and missionaries used the river as a route to reach Mizoram, traveling by motorboat for about five days during their expeditions. This early pathway shaped how people have accessed the region ever since.
The river's name comes from the Arabic word 'qarnaful', linked to the clove trade that Arab merchants once conducted along this waterway. This heritage remains visible in the communities that live along its banks and depend on it for their daily life.
The river supports the Kaptai hydroelectric plant, Bangladesh's major power facility, which generates electricity for the region. Visitors can explore the waterway and the communities that depend on it for transportation and farming.
An underwater tunnel beneath the river is Bangladesh's first subaqueous tunnel project, linking two parts of Chittagong city. This engineering feat represents a major modern infrastructure development for the region.
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