HIMALAYAN RIVERS vs.

PENINSULAR RIVERS

Criteria Himalayan Rivers Peninsular Rivers

Arise in Himalayan glaciers/snow elds or high Arise mostly in Peninsular plateau regions
Origin
mountainous areas (Western/Eastern Ghats, etc.)
Perennial Often seasonal (depend on monsoon rains,
Perennial (fed by glaciers, snowfall, and rainfall)
vs. Seasonal many go dry in summer)
Flow & Typically large volume, can have high ow even in drier Generally lower volume, major ow during/
Volume months just after monsoons
River Long meandering courses with deeper valleys (due to Shorter courses, relatively stable channels,
Course tectonic uplift) often owing over hard rocks
Erosion & Very active erosion in upper reaches, deposit huge Some have eroded valleys and plains, but less
Deposition alluvium in plains alluvial deposit overall
Major Indus, Ganga, Brahmaputra and their tributaries Godavari, Krishna, Kaveri, Narmada, Tapi,
Examples (Yamuna, etc.) Mahanadi, etc.
Often form ‘V-shaped’ deep gorges in upper Himalayan More commonly ‘U-shaped’ or broader
Valley Type
tracts, broad oodplains in lower courses valleys in older plateau terrains
Flood
Can cause massive oods due to glacier melt + monsoon Flood risk mainly monsoon-driven, local
Characterist
synergy scale (coastal/river plains)
ics
Delta Some form deltas (e.g., Godavari, Krishna),
Large delta systems (e.g., Ganga-Brahmaputra Delta)
Formation but comparatively smaller
Younger, tectonically active regions → frequent changes Older, stable block → rivers ow on
Other Notes
in course, more sediment load underlying peninsular rock, lesser changes

INDUS RIVER SYSTEM

INDUS – CORE FACTS & COURSE

Aspect Details
Indus (ancient “Sindhu”): Begins near Lake Mansarovar & Mt. Kailash in southwestern Tibet
Name & Origin
(~4,800+ m)
Length (Approx.) ~2,900–3,180 km total (varies by source).

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 Enters Ladakh (UT), ows NW. Collects local tributaries (e.g., Zanskar). Exits Indian-controlled
Course in India
region into Gilgit-Baltistan (disputed area).
Course in
Through Gilgit-Baltistan → Punjab & Sindh → Arabian Sea near Karachi.
Pakistan
Drainage Area ~1.16 million km² (majority in Pakistan).
- Bhakra (Sutlej, India, but allied to Indus system)
Major Dams/
- Tarbela (Indus, Pakistan)
Projects
- Mangla (Jhelum, Pakistan)
Signed by India & Pakistan, brokered by World Bank. Allocates usage:
Indus Water
- Western Rivers (Indus, Jhelum, Chenab) mainly to Pakistan
Treaty (1960)
- Eastern Rivers (Ravi, Beas, Sutlej) mainly to India.
Historical - Indus Valley Civilization (Harappa, Mohenjo-daro).
Signi cance - “Sindhu” is root of “India” and “Hindu”.

PIC CREDIT S - EDUBABA MAP SHARED BY SOMEONE 2

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INDUS IN LADAKH & NEARBY
Region Key Notes
Entry into
Crosses from Tibet into SE Ladakh. High-altitude desert terrain.
Ladakh
Main Towns/
Near Leh (though the river is slightly away from the city center). Passes Nimo region.
Areas
Zanskar merges at Nimo. (Zanskar River: origin in Zanskar Range, known for “Chadar Trek” in
Con uence
winter).
Flows NW toward Gilgit-Baltistan (Pakistan-administered) after crossing line of control from
Exit
Indian Ladakh.

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NORTHERN TRIBUTARIES (KARAKORAM/HIGH MOUNTAINS)
(These largely flow in Gilgit-Baltistan region, but important to note as part of the Indus system. They meet Indus
before it enters the plains.)

Tribut
Origin/Route Con uence Notes
ary
Siachen Glacier / Eastern Meets Indus in Gilgit-Baltistan (northwest of Key glacial river, known for
Shyok
Karakoram Ladakh) rugged valleys.
Near Wakhan Corridor (Hindu Karakoram Highway
Gilgit Converges with Indus near the town of Gilgit
Kush/Karakoram nexus) region.
High Karakoram glaciers (e.g., near Famous for scenic valleys
Hunza Joins Indus also around Gilgit region
Rakaposhi) (Hunza Valley).
Zansk Merges at Nimo (Ladakh, India). Then Indus Con uence is a tourist site
Zanskar Range (Ladakh, India)
ar heads to Gilgit-Baltistan. near Leh.

THE FIVE EASTERN RIVERS (PUNJAB TRIBUTARIES)

These are the “Panjab” (land of five rivers) tributaries. They merge eventually in Pakistan to form Panjnad,
which joins Indus near Mithankot.

River Origin Path/Key Regions Con uence

Verinag Spring in
Wular Lake → Baramulla → crosses LoC →
Jhelum Kashmir Valley (J&K, Joins Chenab in Pakistan
enters Pakistan near Mangla Dam
India)
Chandra + Bhaga near Flows through Pangi Valley, Kishtwar (J&K), Merges with Jhelum,
Chenab
Keylong (Himachal) enters Pak in Punjab region Ravi, Sutlej, then Indus
Near Rohtang Pass Chamba Valley → enters Punjab plains near
Ravi Joins Chenab eventually
(Himachal) Madhopur → crosses into Pakistan near Lahore
Beas Kund (above Kullu Valley, then enters Punjab, merges with Entire ow in India until
Beas
Manali, Himachal) Sutlej at Harike Sutlej con uence
Rakshastal (near Then joins Chenab
Kinnaur district → Bhakra Dam → Punjab plains
Sutlej Mansarovar) in Tibet, (through Pakistan) →
→ merges with Beas at Harike
enters HP at Shipki La Indus

Sub-tributaries:

• Tawi: Flows near Jammu, eventually joins Chenab in Pakistan territory.

• Marusudar: A sub-tributary of Chenab in Doda/Kishtwar region.

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Topic Details
- Signed 1960, mediated by World Bank
Indus Water - Western Rivers (Indus, Jhelum, Chenab) for Pakistan’s major usage; Eastern Rivers (Ravi, Beas,
Treaty Sutlej) for India’s major usage
- India can have run-of-river projects on Western Rivers
- Indus Valley Civilization (Harappa, Mohenjo-daro)
Historical - “Sindhu” mentioned in Rig Veda
- “India” name derived from “Indus”
Irrigation & - Vital for NW India (Punjab, part of Rajasthan’s canal systems) & heavily for Pakistan’s Punjab/
Agriculture Sindh provinces
- Located in Sindh (Pakistan) near Arabian Sea
Indus Delta
- Contains mangroves, tidal ats
Environmental - Glacial retreat in Ladakh/Karakoram can affect Indus ows
Issues - Delta shrinkage, salinity intrusion in lower Sindh region

GANGA DRAINAGE SYSTEM

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 FACTS & COURSE
Aspect Details
Of cial Name Ganga (English: “Ganges”), historically referred to as the Ganga
Formed at Devprayag (Uttarakhand) by con uence of Bhagirathi (Gangotri Glacier) &
Formation
Alaknanda (Satopanth Glacier region)
Length (approx.) ~2,525 km (from Himalayan source to Bay of Bengal)
States Covered (Main
Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand (Sahebganj segment), West Bengal
Channel)
Entry into
Crosses into Bangladesh (near Farakka, West Bengal), known as Padma
Bangladesh
Delta Out ow Merges with Brahmaputra (“Jamuna” in Bangladesh) → Sundarbans Delta → Bay of Bengal
Cultural/Religious Most sacred river in Hinduism, major pilgrimage locations (Rishikesh, Haridwar, Prayagraj,
Importance Varanasi).
Economic/Population Dense agricultural & urban corridor along plains (Kanpur, Patna, Kolkata, etc.), crucial for
Role irrigation, drinking water, transportation.

HEADSTREAMS & EARLY HIMALAYAN COURSE

Headstr
Origin Con uence Notes
eam
Bhagira Gangotri Glacier (~3,900 m, Often considered the “true sacred source”;
Joins Alaknanda at Devprayag
thi Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand) site of Gomukh (glacial snout).
Alaknan Satopanth Glacier near Receives tributaries: Dhauliganga, Pindar,
Devprayag
da Badrinath (Uttarakhand) Mandakini, etc.
1) Vishnuprayag (Alaknanda +
Dhauliganga)
2) Nandaprayag (Alaknanda +
Nandakini)
Panch 3) Karnaprayag (Alaknanda + All in Uttarakhand; each is a Key for understanding how smaller
Prayag Pindar) holy con uence spot. Himalayan streams join to form Ganga
4) Rudraprayag (Alaknanda +
Mandakini)
5) Devprayag (Alaknanda +
Bhagirathi = Ganga)

MAJOR LEFT-BANK TRIBUTARIES

Con uence (with
River Origin Key Points
Ganga)
Ramgan Near Gairsain (Doodhatoli Hills, Near Kannauj Passes through Corbett area, Moradabad,
ga Uttarakhand) (UP) Bareilly.

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 Kaithi near
Gomti Near Pilibhit (UP) Flows ~900 km; crosses Lucknow.
Varanasi (UP)
Ghaghr Karnali region, Nepal/Tibet (some Doriganj area, A very large tributary by volume; known as
a references to Mt. Kailash) Saran (Bihar) Saryu in local contexts.
Nepal Himalayas (Trisuli, Kali Near Hajipur, Splits into East/West Gandak in upper sections,
Gandak
Gandaki) Patna (Bihar) can cause local oods
“Sorrow of Bihar,” famously shifting channels,
Kosi Eastern Nepal (Sapt Kosi system) Kursela (Bihar)
frequent oods.
Mahana Darjeeling Hills (WB/Nepal border Katihar area Easternmost major left tributary, partially ows
nda region) (Bihar) along Indo-Nepal boundary

MAJOR RIGHT-BANK TRIBUTARIES

Con uence (with
River Origin Key Details
Ganga)
Yamunotri Glacier
Triveni Sangam at Largest right tributary (~1,376 km). Sub-
Yamuna (Garhwal Himalayas,
Prayagraj (UP) tributaries: Chambal, Betwa, Ken, etc.
Uttarakhand)
Kaimur Hills near Panna Near Sirsa (east of
Tons (Tamsa) Historical references in Ramayana.
(MP) Prayagraj, UP)
Maner area, near Patna Flows parallel to Narmada for a while, then
Son (Sone) Amarkantak plateau (MP)
(Bihar) turns NE.
Damodar (merges
Chota Nagpur plateau Joins Hugli (offshoot of Known historically as “Sorrow of Bengal,”
with a Ganga
(Jharkhand) Ganga) near Falta (WB) dammed (DVC) for ood control & power.
distributary)

(Note: Damodar meets the Hugli, which is a distributary of Ganga in West Bengal, not the main Ganga channel.)

STATE-WISE FLOW (MAIN CHANNEL OF GANGA)

State Key Route Major Locations / Notes
- From Devprayag (Ganga formation) → ows
Uttarakh Haridwar (famed pilgrimage city); Rishikesh (yoga,
south to Rishikesh → Haridwar.
and adventure sports).
- Mountainous, steep valley.
- Enters near Bijnor/Haridwar border → ows E/
Uttar SE across upper Ganga plain. Prayagraj (Triveni Sangam with Yamuna), Varanasi
Pradesh - Passes Muzaffarnagar region, Meerut region, (Kashi). Highly populated, heavily cultivated.
Kanpur, Prayagraj, Varanasi.
- Crosses from UP near Buxar → ows E across
Con uence with Son near Maner (Patna). Also meets
Bihar plains.
several big left tribs (Ghaghra, Gandak, Kosi).
- Passes Arrah, Patna, Bhagalpur.

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 - Short stretch (~40–50 km) in Sahebganj district
Jharkha (NE corner). Sahebganj is main district. Ganga touches the scenic
nd - Then continues to West Bengal border near Rajmahal hills.
Rajmahal hills.
- Enters near Farakka Barrage → from here the
West main ow heads to Bangladesh as “Padma.” Farakka (barrage controlling ow to Bangladesh).
Bengal - Another branch: Bhagirathi–Hooghly ows The Hooghly branch passes Kolkata.
southwards in WB.

COURSE IN BANGLADESH & DELTA

Phase Details
- In West Bengal near Bangladesh border
Farakka Barrage
- Regulates ow into the Hooghly & the main Ganga channel (Padma).
- Name of Ganga in Bangladesh
Padma
- Con uence with Brahmaputra (“Jamuna”) near Goalundo.
Meghna
- Further downstream, Padma–Jamuna merges with Meghna near Chandpur.
Con uence
- The river system drains out via the Sundarbans Delta (mangrove forests, UNESCO
Bay of Bengal
site).

GOVERNMENT PROJECTS & GEOPOLITICAL SIGNIFICANCE

Project / Initiative Objective / Signi cance
Ganga Action Plan - First big attempt to reduce pollution in Ganga (STPs, ef uent control).
(launched 1985) - Faced challenges; partially successful.
Namami Gange (2014 - Integrated conservation mission for Ganga’s rejuvenation (pollution abatement, riverfront
onward) development, biodiversity).
Tehri Dam (Bhagirathi, - Large reservoir for hydropower, irrigation, and ood control.
Uttarakhand) - Key for upper Ganga water management.
Farakka Barrage (West - Built to maintain navigability of Kolkata port & control ow to Bangladesh (Padma).
Bengal) - Has bilateral water-sharing treaties.
- Declared from Allahabad (Prayagraj) to Haldia (WB) along Ganga–Bhagirathi–Hooghly
National Waterway-1 route.
- Aims for inland navigation.
Ganges Water Sharing
- Between India & Bangladesh for equitable water distribution at Farakka.
Treaty (1996)
Interlinking of Rivers - Plans to link certain Ganga tributaries with peninsular rivers for broader water resource
(Proposed) management; partially implemented.

Geopolitical Points:

• India–Bangladesh relationship shaped by Ganga (Farakka Treaty, 1996).

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 • Nepal involvement: Some upstream tributaries (Kosi, Gandak) have bilateral treaties (Kosi barrage,
Gandak project).
• High population dependence → Interstate coordination among Uttarakhand, UP, Bihar, Jharkhand, WB
for water usage, pollution control.

HIGHLIGHTS & FACTS

Topic Details
Drainage Basin
~1.09 million km² spanning India, Nepal, small portion of Tibet, and Bangladesh.
Size
Fertile Plains Ganga plains across UP, Bihar, parts of Jharkhand, West Bengal – major agricultural zone.
Combination of monsoonal rains + Himalayan snowmelt. Kosi region in Bihar especially prone to
Flood Hazard
major oods and course shifts.
Religion &
Haridwar, Rishikesh, Prayagraj, Varanasi are major pilgrimage spots for Hindu devotees.
Culture
Pollution Industrial (tanneries, etc.), domestic sewage. “Namami Gange” aims for comprehensive cleaning &
Concerns rejuvenation.
National
NW-1 from Prayagraj to Haldia fosters inland water transport.
Waterway

BRAHMAPUTRA RIVER SYSTEM

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FACTS
Aspect Details
Tibet: Yarlung Tsangpo (or just Tsangpo),
Local/
Arunachal: Siang / Dihang (upstream),
Regional
Assam: Brahmaputra,
Names
Bangladesh: Jamuna
Length
~2,900–3,100 km total (sources vary). In India, main channel ~900+ km.
(Approx.)
Near Angsi Glacier / Kailash Range, southwestern Tibet, close to Mansarovar region (alt. ~4500–
Origin
5000m).
Route Tibet (eastward) → “Great Bend” near Namcha Barwa → enters India (Arunachal) → ows across
Outline Assam → enters Bangladesh, merges with Ganga → Bay of Bengal.
Major Basin In India: Arunachal Pradesh & Assam (main channel). Some tributaries from Nagaland, Meghalaya,
States Bhutan hills, etc.
Dominant
High sediment load, major oods, extremely wide braided channels in Assam Valley.
Feature
Delta
Part of the huge Ganga–Brahmaputra–Meghna (GBM) Delta in southern Bangladesh.
Formation

TIBETAN SEGMENT
1. Name: Yarlung Tsangpo
2. Flow: High plateau, traveling east along southern edge of Tibet.
3. Nyang / Lhasa River (Tibet) merges from the north near Lhasa city (not all references detail each
Tibetan tributary, but it’s significant).
4. Great Bend / Eastern Syntaxial Bend near Namcha Barwa peak (~7,782 m), river turns south into
deep gorges (among the world’s deepest).
5. Crosses into India near the Indochina border region (Southeastern Tibet → Upper Siang in Arunachal).
(No major large Indian/Hydropower projects in the Tibetan portion under Indian control, though China has
smaller hydropower/dams and proposed bigger ones, e.g., near Zangmu.)

ENTRY INTO INDIA (ARUNACHAL PRADESH)

1. Name: Called Siang or Dihang upon entry.

2. Geographic Entry: Near Kepang La region or further east of the Upper Siang district.

3. Terrain: Mountainous, steep valleys.

4. Significant Local Confluences:

◦ Siang merges with Dibang and Lohit near Sadiya (the tri-river confluence).
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 ▪ Dibang: Origin in Mishmi Hills (northeast AR). Also called “Sikang” or “Talon” in some
references.
▪ Lohit: Origin near Indo–Myanmar frontier hills (the Patkai range), flows west-northwest
into this confluence.
5. Post-Confluence: Downstream of Sadiya, from this point the river is universally called Brahmaputra.

BRAHMAPUTRA IN ASSAM
D.1 Overall Flow

• Flows westward through the upper Assam plains, turning slightly south after Guwahati.
• Finally, it leaves India near Dhubri district, crossing into Bangladesh.
D.2 Important Left-Bank Tributaries in Assam

(Left bank means from the perspective of downstream flow; in Assam, that’s typically from the north side.)

1. Siang (continuation from AR).

2. Subansiri
◦ Origin: Eastern Himalayas (on the Sino–India border region).
◦ Enters Assam near Lakhimpur.
◦ Subansiri Lower Dam (under construction) for hydropower.
3. Kameng (a.k.a. Jia Bhoreli)
◦ Origin: Tawang region (Arunachal).
◦ Confluence near Tezpur.
4. Manas
◦ Arises in Bhutan’s Himalayas.
◦ Confluence near Jogighopa region, west of Guwahati.
◦ Manas National Park (UNESCO site).
5. Beki
◦ Offshoot/distributary from upper Manas area (enters Assam), merges with Brahmaputra
southwestern side.
6. Other smaller north side channels: Pagladiya, Aie, Champamati, etc. (Bhutan foothills).
D.3 Important Right-Bank Tributaries in Assam

(Right bank is from the south side in Assam.)

1. Dhansiri (South)
◦ Origin: Naga Hills (Nagaland), flows north into Brahmaputra near Dhansirimukh (Golaghat dt).
◦ Distinct from Dhansiri( North) in Karbi Anglong area.
2. Kopili
◦ Rises in Meghalaya border hills, flows via Nagaon dt.
◦ Has Kopili hydro projects.
3. Dehing / Burhi Dihing

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 ◦ Arises in Patkai hills near eastern AR–Myanmar border, flows through eastern Assam (Dibrugarh
dt) into the main channel.
4. Digaru, Kulsi, etc.
◦ Several smaller streams draining southern hill areas of Meghalaya into Brahmaputra.
(Note: Some references mention Jinjiram, Krishnai, etc., draining from Meghalaya to Brahmaputra as well.)

D.4 Major Towns/Cities Along Brahmaputra in Assam

• Dibrugarh, Jorhat (some distance away but in region), Tezpur, Guwahati (largest city on
Brahmaputra), Goalpara, Dhubri.
• River is extremely wide, forming many islands (Majuli, etc.).
D.5 Flood & Sediment Issues

• Annual monsoon floods are severe (peak in July–August).

• Brahmaputra carries one of the highest sediment loads globally, causing braided channels and frequent
channel shifts.

BANGLADESH PORTION
1. Name: Called Jamuna in Bangladesh.
2. Confluence with Tista: Tista River merges from the northwest (coming from north Bengal, India).
3. Merging with Ganga: Joins Padma (the Ganga in Bangladesh) near Goalundo.
4. Further: The Padma–Jamuna merges with Meghna near Chandpur, eventually outflowing into the Bay
of Bengal.
5. Sundarbans Delta: Shared with Ganga–Meghna system, forming the world’s largest delta, heavily
populated, includes Sundarbans mangrove forest.
(Bangladesh has Tista Water dispute with India. Also, broader floods heavily impact the region.)

DAMS & PROJECTS

F.1 India’s Large Dams / Projects

• Subansiri Lower Dam (NHPC) on Subansiri tributary (Arunachal–Assam).

• Ranganadi Project on Ranganadi (a sub-tributary in AR).
• No big multipurpose dam on the main Brahmaputra channel in India (due to complexities of a large
river + seismic zone).
F.2 China’s Developments

• Some hydropower dams in upper Yarlung Tsangpo region (e.g., Zangmu Dam), potential large projects
near Great Bend.
• India is cautious about any major diversion that could affect downstream flows.
F.3 Bangladesh

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 • Not large mainstream dams, but elaborate embankments & flood management structures.
• Embankments along Jamuna, Tista Barrage in northern Bangladesh.

CROSS-BORDER & GEOPOLITICAL NOTES

1. China–India: Monitoring upstream developments; no formal water treaty, but sharing some
hydrological data.
2. India–Bangladesh:
◦ Bilateral understanding on Tista, general cooperation for Ganga–Brahmaputra–Meghna basin.
◦ Flood forecasting, data exchange efforts.
3. Within India (Arunachal–Assam): Some local controversies about large dams on Subansiri, Siang, etc.

PENINSULAR DRAINAGE SYSTEM

1. MAJOR EAST-FLOWING RIVERS

Most peninsular rivers flow east to the Bay of Bengal,

forming deltas. The four largest are Mahanadi,
Godavari, Krishna, and Kaveri.

1.1 MAHANADI

1. Origin & Length

◦ Origin: Sihawa Hills, near Dhamtari

district, Chhattisgarh.
◦ Approx. Length: ~858 km (main
channel).
2. States (Main Channel)
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 ◦ Flows through:
1. Chhattisgarh (initial stretch)
2. Odisha (major stretch until Bay of Bengal)
◦ (Note: The Mahanadi basin extends partly into Madhya Pradesh and Jharkhand via sub-
tributaries like Seonath, but the Mahanadi’s main channel does not physically flow in MP/JH.)
3. Key Tributaries (many originate partly in MP, but join the main channel in CG or OD):

◦ Seonath, Hasdeo, Mand, Ib, Jonk, Tel.

4. Major Dams/Projects

◦ Hirakud Dam (Odisha) – multipurpose (flood control, irrigation, power).

5. Final Outflow

◦ Forms a large delta near Cuttack–Paradeep (Odisha), enters the Bay of Bengal.
6. Inter-State Issues

◦ Water-sharing concerns mainly between Chhattisgarh and Odisha.

1.2 GODAVARI
1. Origin & Length

◦ Origin: Trimbakeshwar (near Nashik),

Maharashtra.
◦ Approx. Length: ~1,465 km (India’s 2nd
longest after Ganga).
2. States (Main Channel)

◦ Flows through:
1. Maharashtra (large initial stretch)
2. Telangana (enters near Nizamabad)
3. Andhra Pradesh (down to Bay of Bengal)
◦ (Note: The main channel touches the border near Chhattisgarh in some lower tributary
confluences, but physically flows in MH–TS–AP. The sub-basin extends into Chhattisgarh and
Odisha via Indravati, Sabari, etc.)
3. Major Tributaries

◦ Pranahita (formed by Wardha+Wainganga), Manjira, Penganga, Purna, Indravati, Sabari.

4. Key Dams/Projects

◦ Sriram Sagar (Telangana), Jayakwadi (Maharashtra), Polavaram (Andhra, under

development).
5. Final Outflow

◦ Large delta near Rajamahendravaram (Rajahmundry) in AP, draining into the Bay of Bengal.
6. Inter-State Issues
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 ◦ Godavari Water Disputes among Maharashtra, Telangana, Andhra, plus involvement of
Chhattisgarh on sub-tributaries.

1.3 KRISHNA
1. Origin & Length

◦ Origin: Mahabaleshwar (Satara dt),

Maharashtra.
◦ Approx. Length: ~1,290 km (some
references up to ~1,400 km).
2. States (Main Channel)

◦ Flows through:
1. Maharashtra (initial)
2. Karnataka (long middle stretch)
3. Andhra Pradesh (final stretch to
sea)
◦ (Note: Also forms short boundary segments with Telangana near Srisailam/Nagarjuna Sagar
region. The sub-basin extends partially into TS via major tributaries like Bhima, etc.)
3. Major Tributaries

◦ Bhima (largest, flows mainly in MH & KA, then TS),

◦ Tungabhadra (Tunga + Bhadra, in KA, meets Krishna in AP),
◦ Ghataprabha, Malaprabha, Musi (Hyderabad city) is actually a sub-tributary of Bhima or direct
to Krishna? (Commonly considered part of the Krishna basin).
4. Key Dams/Projects

◦ Almatti Dam (Karnataka),

◦ Srisailam (Tungabhadra sector, near KA–AP–TS border),
◦ Nagarjuna Sagar (Andhra–TS).
5. Final Outflow

◦ Delta near Machilipatnam (Krishna dt, AP) into the Bay of Bengal.
6. Inter-State Issues

◦ Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal among

Maharashtra, Karnataka, AP, and Telangana.

1.4 KAVERI (CAUVERY)

1. Origin & Length

◦ Origin: Talakaveri, Brahmagiri Hills (Kodagu

dt), Karnataka.
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 ◦ Approx. Length: ~800 km.
2. States (Main Channel)

◦ Flows through:
1. Karnataka
2. Tamil Nadu
3. (Note: Some tributaries come from Kerala border, e.g., Kabini, but the main channel is KA →
TN. Also, a small portion flows in the UT of Puducherry near Karaikal region in the delta.
The main channel or a distributary enters that UT.)
3. Major Tributaries

◦ Hemavati, Shimsha, Arkavathy, Bhavani (TN side), Noyyal, Amaravati, Kabini (from Kerala
border).
4. Key Dams/Projects

◦ Krishnarajasagara (KRS) in KA, Mettur Dam in TN.

5. Final Outflow

◦ Delta near Poompuhar (TN) into the Bay of Bengal. Some distributaries also pass through
Karaikal (Puducherry UT).
6. Inter-State Issues

◦ Kaveri Water Dispute Tribunal: Karnataka vs. Tamil Nadu (+ minor claims by Kerala,
Puducherry).

1.5 Other East-Flowing Rivers (Medium/Smaller)

1. Subarnarekha

◦ Origin: Ranchi plateau (Jharkhand).

◦ Main Channel States: Jharkhand, West Bengal, then small portion in Odisha near mouth.
◦ Empties into Bay of Bengal near Balasore (Odisha).
◦ Jamshedpur on its banks.
2. Brahmani

◦ Formed by Koel + Sankh near Rourkela (Jharkhand–Odisha border).

◦ Main channel in Odisha, merges with Baitarani near Dhamra → Bay of Bengal.
◦ Rengali Dam in Odisha.
3. Baitarani

◦ Origin: Guptaganga Hills (Keonjhar, Odisha).

◦ Entire main flow in Odisha → merges with Brahmani near Dhamra.
◦ Deltaic zone in north coastal Odisha.
4. Vamsadhara

◦ Origin: Eastern Ghats near Odisha–AP border.

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 ◦ Flows in Odisha, Andhra Pradesh → meets Bay of Bengal at Kalingapatnam (AP).
◦ Inter-state dispute between Odisha–AP.
5. Nagavali

◦ Eastern Ghats region (Odisha–AP).

◦ Flows in Odisha, AP → merges into Bay near Srikakulam (AP).
6. Pennar (Penneru)

◦ Origin: Nandi Hills (Chikkaballapur, Karnataka).

◦ Main channel: Karnataka → Andhra Pradesh → Bay of Bengal near Nellore.
◦ ~597 km.
7. Palar

◦ Origin: Nandi Hills (Kolar dt, KA).

◦ Flows mainly in Tamil Nadu (Vellore, Kanchipuram).
◦ Empties near Vayalur in TN.
8. Vaigai

◦ Origin: Varushanad Hills (Theni dt, Tamil Nadu).

◦ Entire channel in Tamil Nadu → empties near Ramanathapuram (Palk Strait region).
◦ ~258 km; passes Madurai.
(These minor/medium rivers also form local deltas or estuaries along the east coast.)

2. MAJOR WEST-FLOWING RIVERS

They flow to the Arabian Sea (forming estuaries or partial deltas). The largest are Narmada and Tapi. Others
include Mahi, Sabarmati, Luni, plus short coastal streams in the Western Ghats.

2.1 NARMADA
1. Origin & Length

◦ Amarkantak plateau (Anuppur dt),

Madhya Pradesh.
◦ ~1,312 km total.
2. Main Channel States

◦ Madhya Pradesh (long stretch)

◦ Small portion in Maharashtra (border
region near Nandurbar)
◦ Gujarat (final stretch)

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 ◦ (No direct flow in Rajasthan—some of the basin extends there, but main channel not physically
crossing RJ.)
3. Key Tributaries

◦ Mostly small ephemeral streams, e.g., Hiran, Orsang, Tawa in MP.

4. Major Dams/Projects

◦ Sardar Sarovar (Gujarat), Indira Sagar, Bargi (MP).

5. Outflow

◦ Arabian Sea near Bharuch (Gulf of Khambhat).

◦ Flows in a rift valley between Vindhya & Satpura.
6. Inter-State

◦ Narmada Water Tribunal: MP, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Rajasthan for water allocations.

2.2 TAPI (Tapti)

1. Origin & Length

◦ Multai (Betul dt), Madhya Pradesh.

◦ ~724 km.
2. Main Channel States

◦ Madhya Pradesh → Maharashtra → Gujarat.

3. Tributaries

◦ Relatively few major ones; e.g., Purna (a

different Purna than Godavari’s trib), Girna in
MH.
4. Major Dam

◦ Ukai Dam (Gujarat).

5. Outflow

◦ Arabian Sea near Surat (Gujarat).

◦ Flows parallel to Narmada for some distance.

2.3 MAHI
1. Origin

◦ Mahi Kanta Hills near Dhar (border region of

MP & Rajasthan).
2. Main Channel States

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 ◦ Crosses Rajasthan, then small portion of MP (?), then mainly into Gujarat.
◦ (Check carefully: some sources mention Mahi arises in Dhar dt, MP; it quickly enters southern
Rajasthan, then Gujarat. The main channel does cross a corner of MP or immediately from
boundary?)
3. Key Dams

◦ Mahi Bajaj Sagar (Rajasthan), Kadana Dam (Gujarat).

4. Outflow

◦ Gulf of Khambhat (Gujarat).

2.4 SABARMATI
1. Origin

◦ Aravalli Hills (near Khedbrahma,

Rajasthan).
2. Main Channel States

◦ Rajasthan → Gujarat.
3. Key Dam

◦ Dharoi Dam (Gujarat).

4. Outflow

◦ Gulf of Khambhat (Arabian Sea).

5. Notable City

◦ Ahmedabad on its banks.

2.5 LUNI (Inland Drainage)

1. Origin

◦ Pushkar valley near Ajmer (Aravalli, Rajasthan).

2. Main Channel

◦ Flows west across Rajasthan, eventually disappears in

the Rann of Kutch (Gujarat) – no direct sea outflow.
3. Dams

◦ Mostly small ephemeral storages, not major dam projects.

4. Notes

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 ◦ Largest river in NW arid zone, high salinity in lower reaches.

2.6 West-Coastal Short Rivers

Mandovi, Zuari (Goa), Sharavati (Karnataka, Jog Falls), Periyar (Kerala), Netravati (Karnataka),
Bharathapuzha (Kerala) – mostly short courses from Western Ghats to Arabian Sea, important locally for
hydropower, water supply, tourism.

3. MAJOR PROJECTS & INTER-STATE WATER ISSUES

Various multipurpose dams & water-sharing tribunals exist:

• Hirakud (Mahanadi) – CG & Odisha.

• Godavari: Polavaram (AP), Sriram Sagar (TS), Jayakwadi (MH). Inter-state among MH, TS, AP, sub-
basin in Chhattisgarh.
• Krishna: Almatti (KA), Nagarjuna Sagar (AP/TS). Tribunal among MH, KA, AP, TS.
• Kaveri: KRS (KA), Mettur (TN). Dispute among KA, TN, plus minor claims from Kerala, Puducherry.
• Narmada: Sardar Sarovar (Gujarat), Indira Sagar (MP). Tribunal with MP, GJ, MH, RJ.
• Damodar: DVC (Jharkhand–WB).
• Mahi: Mahi Bajaj Sagar (Rajasthan), Kadana (Guj).
• Sabarmati: Dharoi (Guj), minor disputes or none major.
• Luni: No major multi-state project, mostly ephemeral.

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