Rivers in Naogaon District

Origins of Rivers in Naogaon District

Naogaon district has 10 rivers. Most rivers flowing in Bangladesh originate from the Himalayas — their primary water source is Himalayan snowmelt. Naogaon’s land slopes southeast, so most rivers and canals here flow southeast and act as tributaries or branches of larger rivers.

The Role of Rivers in Bangladesh and Naogaon

Rivers are central to Bangladesh’s environment and economy; the Bangladesh Water Development Board documents a rich network of waterways. Recently many rivers have experienced falling water levels, which harms climate resiliency and agriculture. Causes include blocked international river flows and reduced navigability. These problems affect Naogaon as well as the whole country.

List of Rivers in Naogaon District

The list of rivers in Naogaon district is below.

01. Atrai River

Atrai River (Bangla: আত্রাই/আত্রেয়ী নদী) is an international river flowing through Bangladesh and India. Length: 269 km in Bangladesh and 121 km in India. It reaches a maximum depth of about 30 m. Historically mentioned as Atreyi (Mahabharata). The river begins about 6 miles northeast of Siliguri in the Himalayan foothills, enters Bangladesh via Balurghat border (South-Dinajpur, India) and flows through Dhamoirhat (entry in Naogaon), then Patnitala, Mohadevpur, Manda and Atrai upazilas of Naogaon district.

02. Punarbhaba River

(Entry reserved — list places it among district rivers.)

03. Little Jamuna River

Little Jamuna River (Bangla: ছোট যমুনা নদী) originates from Bara Chandipur Bil in Parbatipur Upazila (Dinajpur). It flows through Parbatipur, Phulbari, Hakimpur and Birampur, enters India, then re-enters Bangladesh near Panchbibi (Joypurhat) and connects to the Tulsi Ganga via a canal near Naogaon town. Naogaon town stands on its banks; after passing Naogaon town and Sadar Upazila it joins the Atrai River in Atrai Upazila.

04. Gur River

Gur River (Bangla: গুড় নদী) branches from the Atrai River after Atrai Railway Station — the eastern branch becomes the Gur. It runs about 35 km and drains into the Chalanbil (চলনবিল).

05. Dhol River (Dhol Sea)

(Listed among Naogaon’s rivers.)

06. Tulshiganga River

(Tulshiganga is an important local channel; dredging has been attempted to restore flow and navigation.)

07. Nagor River

Nagor River (Bangla: নাগর নদী) is a 105 km river celebrated in Bengali literature. It originates from the Karatoa near Shibganj (Bogura) and joins the Atrai at Singra (Natore). It inspired Rabindranath Tagore’s poem “Amader Chhoto Nodi” and historically had many bends; it fills in monsoon and largely dries in the dry season. Tagore travelled this river by boat; his Patisar Kachhari Bari stands on its bank.

08. Noor River

(Listed among district rivers.)

09. Fokirni (Fakirni) River

Fakirni River (Bangla: ফকিরনী নদী) is a small tributary of the Atrai. It originates near Srinagar in Manda Upazila and has a limited 12,000-meter course within Manda. Locals long called it a dead river (মরা নদী), but government dredging began in 2022, raising hopes for year-round water.

10. Shiva River

Shiva River (Bangla: শিব নদী) originates from the Atrai at Baidyapur in Manda Upazila. It flows through Manda (Naogaon) and Tanore & Mohanpur (Rajshahi). It crosses roughly 10 km in Niamatpur and 11 km in Manda. Historically it supported boat travel and livelihoods; its flow has declined since.