Surma River, River system in northeastern India and eastern Bangladesh
The Surma River is a river system in northeastern India and eastern Bangladesh that flows from the Manipur Hills and divides into branches near the border region. The waterway spreads across a significant distance before its various channels eventually reconnect and flow toward larger river systems.
The river system served as a vital route for ancient trade, connecting the Manipur region with the Bay of Bengal through various water channels. These pathways enabled the movement of goods and cultural exchange across the region for centuries.
The communities living along its banks have developed fishing and farming practices that depend on the seasonal water patterns, shaping how people work and live in the region.
During the monsoon season, boats can travel upstream to Silchar, while throughout the year the river provides water for irrigation in farming areas on both sides of the border. The water level changes dramatically with the seasons, so the landscape and navigation conditions shift significantly between months.
The river creates multiple separate channels that rejoin at different points, forming a complex natural network that puzzles many visitors. These branches eventually merge with the Old Brahmaputra to form the Meghna River at a place called Bhairab Bazar.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
