Mo Chhu

Mo Chhu
Confluence of the Mo Chhu (left) and the Pho Chhu (right) below Punakha Dzong (center)
Location
CountryBhutan
Physical characteristics
Source 
 • locationChomolhari
Mouth 
 • location
Puna Tsang Chhu

Mo Chhu is a major river in Bhutan. The river arises in the slopes of Chomolhari in the Himalayas and flows towards the Punakha valley. It is joined by the Pho Chhu near Punakha Dzong to form the Puna Tsang Chhu river, which forms part of the Brahmaputra river system.

Course

The headwaters of the Mo Chhu are located in the hills of Laya and Lingzhi Gewogs in northern Bhutan. It originates from the northeastern slope of Chomolhari in the Himalayas. The river basin extends from the Tsenda Kang–Gangla Karchung in the east to the Kangphu Kang–Nile La–Nigile La mountains in the west. The Mo Chu Basin consists of 118 glaciers covering 169 km2 (65 sq mi) with an estimated ice reserve of 11.34 km3 (2.72 cu mi). There are also at least 380 lakes in the catchment area of the river.

The Mo Chu consists of two main branches. The eastern branch is formed by four smaller rivers–Mo Chu Kangu, Zamtognangi Chu, Taksikhai Chu, and Rodhophugi Chu. The Mo Chu Kangu is formed by Sinchhe Chu and Sagchhagi Chu originating from the Gangchhen Ta glacier. Kamgigi Chu and Sachhuphugi rivulets originating from Masagang and Khebechen glaciers respectively combine to form the Zamtognangi Chu. The western branch of the Mo Chu is made up of Lingshi Chu and Chhijethang Chu rivers, which originate from Takaphu and Gangchhen Ta glaciers respectively. The Gasa Chu is a major tributary of Mo Chu, which is formed by the confluence of Lingshi Chu and Chhijethang Chu rivers. The Gasa Chu joins the Mo Chu near Gasa.

The Mo Chu flows southwards towards Punakha, where it is joined by the Pho Chhu near the Punakha Dzong. The two rivers combine to form the Puna Tsang Chhu river, and is joined by Tang Chu at Wangdue Phodrang. The Puna Tsang Chu later joins the Brahmaputra. The Puna Tsang Chhu is one of Bhutan's principal river systems with a basin of 9,900 km2 (3,800 sq mi). The river supports freshwater fish species such as Schizothorax richardsonii and Salmo trutta.

Cultural significance

In Bhutanese culture, the Mo Chhu and Pho Chhu are known as "mother river", and "father river" respectively. Situated at the confluence of Mo Chhu and Pho Chhu, the Punakha Dzong, constructed by Ngawang Namgyal in 1637–1638, is one of the important religious and political centres of Bhutan.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Punakha Dzong". Government of Bhutan. Archived from the original on 29 August 2026. Retrieved 5 October 2026.
  2. ↑ Major Rivers and Mountain Passes in Bhutan (PDF). Royal Education Council, Department of School Education, Government of Bhutan. p. 23. Archived (PDF) from the original on 4 April 2025. Retrieved 5 October 2026.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Hydro-meteorology of Bhutan. International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development. p. 14. Archived from the original on 29 April 2026. Retrieved 1 October 2026.
  4. 1 2 3 "Survey of the Waters of Bhutan: Physiography and Fisheries Potential". Food and Agriculture Organization. Archived from the original on 18 August 2026. Retrieved 5 October 2026.
  5. 1 2 Negi, Sharad Singh (1991). Himalayan Rivers, Lakes, and Glaciers. Indus Publishing. p. 109. ISBN 978-8-185-18261-2.
  6. ↑ "Schizothorax richardsonii (Gray, 1832)". National Research Centre for Riverine and Lake Fisheries. Archived from the original on 14 June 2026. Retrieved 5 October 2026.
  7. ↑ "Salmo trutta (Linnaeus, 1758)". National Research Centre for Riverine and Lake Fisheries. Archived from the original on 15 March 2026. Retrieved 5 October 2026.
  8. ↑ "Dzongs of Bhutan". UNESCO. Archived from the original on 13 December 2024. Retrieved 1 October 2026.

26°23′N 89°48′E / 26.383°N 89.800°E / 26.383; 89.800