Correct Option
The correct option is (a).
Explanation
The Brahmaputra is one of the largest rivers in the world, originating in the Himalayas and flowing through Tibet (China), India, and Bangladesh. Its hydrological characteristics vary significantly across these regions due to climatic differences.
Statement-wise Analysis
- Statement 1 is Correct: The Brahmaputra rises in Tibet east of Mansarovar lake very close to the sources of the Indus and the Satluj. It originates specifically from the Chemayungdung glacier of the Kailash range. It flows eastwards parallel to the Himalayas.
- Statement 2 is Incorrect: On reaching Namcha Barwa (7,782 m), the river takes a sharp ‘U’ turn and enters India in Arunachal Pradesh (not Sikkim) through a deep gorge. Here, it is known as the Dihang. It is joined by tributaries like the Dibang and the Lohit to form the Brahmaputra in Assam.
- Statement 3 is Incorrect: In Tibet, the river passes through a region that is cold and dry. Consequently, it carries a smaller volume of water and less silt in this stretch. It is only after entering India, where it passes through a region of high rainfall, that the river carries a large volume of water and a considerable amount of silt.
Key Takeaway: The Brahmaputra enters India through Arunachal Pradesh, not Sikkim. Furthermore, despite its length in Tibet, it carries low silt and water volume there due to the arid climate, gaining volume and silt load only upon entering the high-rainfall regions of India.