Sapt Koshi (or "Sapta Koshi") is a large river in eastern Nepal. It flows into India to join the Ganges. The river name "Sapta" means "seven" in area languages, as seven rivers flow together out of the eastern himalaya to create the Sapta Koshi river. The seven rivers are the Indrawati, Bhote Koshi, Tama Koshi, Dudh Koshi, Liku, Arun, and Tamor. The Sapta Koshi river flow is controlled by a system of levees or embankments designed to control flooding and provide irrigation, and an adjustable dam at the Koshi Barrage at the Nepal-India border.
In August 2008, after very heavy rains, the Sapt Koshi broke through its eastern levee several miles north of the Nepal-India border. As the river changed course, it flooded a large swath across Sunsari District, Nepal, and Bihar, India, displacing millions of people.
