Brahmaputra and Indus mapped by China
Using satellite images, Chinese scientists have mapped the rivers Brahmaputra and Indus. This is first of its kind study in which the sources of rivers have been pinpointed, and have found that the length and drainage areas of both the rivers exceeded earlier estimates.The researchers have made use of remote-sensing satellite images and data from several expeditions to the Tibetan Plateau to map the sources of the Brahmaputra, Indus, Salween and Irrawaddy rivers.
Brahmaputra's source has been located on the Angsi glacier on the northern side of the Himalayas, in the Tibetan country of Burang. The source was earlier thought to be on the Chemayungdung glacier, further south. Accordingly, the length of the river will be more by about 500 km. because of change in source.
In the case of Indus, the length adds by about 400 km. since its source is now located near the Mount Kailash in Tibet, which is away from the earlier location.