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River Basins in India

Technical Report · March 2013

DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.2.14172.39045

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 RIVER BASINS IN INDIA
By
Prof. A. Balasubramanian.
Centre for Advanced Studies in Earth Science,
University of Mysore, Mysore

1
Introduction:

India is a land of many rivers and mountains.

India’s geographical area of about 329 MHa is criss-crossed by a large number rivers.
ome of the Indian rivers are figuring amongst the most notable rivers of the world.

The rivers and mountains have a greater significance in the history of Indian culture, economy,
development, religious and spiritual life.

It may not be an exaggeration to say that the rivers are the heart and soul of Indian population.
The river systems provide water
For irrigation,
Drinking and domestic consumption,
cheap transportation,
generating electricity, and
for the livelihoods for a large number of people all over the country.
Nearly most of the major cities of India are located by the banks of the rivers.
The perennial rivers are considered as life supporting resources by all the farmers in India.
Rivers are classified into major, medium and minor types.
Most of these rivers pour their waters into the Bay of Bengal, except some of the rivers whose
courses take them through the western part of the country emptying the waters into the Arabian Sea.

Understanding the river basins of India is needed to all geographers, administrators, planners and
others.

Brief introduction about the following rivers are highlighted in this lesson:
1. Indus River Basin
2. The Ganga River Basin
3. Brahmaputra And Barak River Basin
4. Narmada River Basin
5. Tapti River Basin
6. Brahmani-Baitarni River Basin
7. Mahanadi River Basin
8. Godavari River Basin
9. Krishna River Basin
10. Pennar River Basin
11. Cauvery River Basin
12. Mahi River Basin
13. Sabarmathi River Basin

Their geographic setting, origin, distribution and water resources potential are highlighted in this
lesson:

1. INDUS RIVER BASIN

The Indus River Basin extends over an area of 11,65,500 Sq. Km. It is spread over parts of Tibet
(China), India, Pakistan and Afghanistan.

The drainage area lying in India is 321,289 Sq. Km which is nearly 9.8% of the total geographical
area of the country.

The basin lies in the states of

Jammu & Kashmir (193,762 Sq. Km),
Himachal Pradesh (51,356 Sq. Km ),
Punjab (50,304 Sq. Km ),

2
Rajasthan (15,814 Sq. Km ),
Haryana (9,939 Sq. Km ) and
Union Territory of Chandigarh (114 Sq. Km ).

The Indus River rises from Mansarovar in Tibet at an elevation of abut 5182 m.
It flows for about 2880 km upto its outfall into the Arabian Sea.

3
The length of the river in India is 1114 km.
The principal tributaries of the river are
the Sutlej,
the Beas,
the Ravi,
the Chenab and
the Jhelum.

The upper part of basin is lying in the mountains of Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh.

In Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan, the basin consists of vast plains which are the fertile granary of
India.

An average annual surface water potential of 73.3 Cu. Km has been assessed in this basin. Out of
this, 46.0 Cu. Km is the utilizable water.

Culturable area of the basin is about 9.6 M.ha, which is 4.9% of the total cultivable area of the
country.

The hydropower potential of the basin has been assessed as 19,998 MW at 60% load factor.

2. THE GANGA RIVER BASIN

Ganga River basin is a part of the composite Ganga-Brahmaputra-Meghna basin.

The basin lies in China, Nepal, India and Bangladesh and drains over an area of 10.86 million Sq.
Km (10,86,000 Sq. Km).

It is bounded on the north by the Himalayas, on the west by the Aravallis as well as the ridge
separating it from Indus basin, on the south by the Vindhyas and Chhotanagpur Plateau and on the
east by the Brahmaputra ridge.

Its catchment lies in the states of

Uttar Pradesh (294,364 Sq. Km ),

4
Madhya Pradesh (198,962 Sq. Km ),
Bihar (143,961 Sq. Km ),
Rajasthan (112,490 Sq. Km ),
West Bengal (71,485 Sq. Km ),
Haryana (34,341 Sq. Km ),
Himachal Pradesh (4,317 Sq. Km ) and
Delhi (1,484 Sq. Km ).

The basin has a population of 356.8 million.

The Ganga originates as Bhagirathi from the Gangotri Glaciers in the Himalayas at an elevation of
about 7010 m above mean sea level, in the Uttarkashi district of Uttar Pradesh.

The Bhagirathi is joined by the Alaknanda at Deoprayag and the combined stream under the name
Ganga flowing through the mountain region, debouches into the plain at Rishikesh.

It is joined by a large number of tributaries on both the banks in the course of its total run of 2525 km
before its outfall into the Bay of Bengal.

The important tributaries are

the Yamuna,
the Ramganga,
the Gomti,
the Ghagra,
the Stone,
the Gandak,
the Burhi Gandak,
the Kosi and
the Mahananda.

5
At Farakka in West Bengal, the river divides into two arms namely, the Padma which flows to
Bangladesh and the Bhagirathi which flows through West Bengal.

The basin comprises mountainous regions of the Himalayan ranges with dense forests, sparsely
forested Sivalik hills and the fertile Gangetic plains.

The important cities and town situated on the banks of the river Ganga are
Haridwar,
Kanpur,
Allahabad,
Varanasi,
Patna,
Bhagalpur, etc.

6
Deoprayag, Rishikesh, Haridwar, Garhmukteshwar, Allahabad and Varanasi are some of the
important places located on the banks of Ganga River.

The average annual surface water potential of the basin has been assessed as 525.0 Cu. Km . Out of
this, 250.0 Cu. Km is utilizable water.

The hydropower potential of the basin has been assessed as 10,715 MW at 60% load factor.

The Upper Ganga Canal and the Eastern and Western Yamuna Canals built during the nineteenth
century, are among the oldest major projects in this basin.

Some of the other important projects constructed since independence are

Gandhi Sagar Dam,
Rana Pratap Sagar Dam,
Narora Barrage,
Rajghat Dam,
Rihand Dam,
Gandak Barrage,
Tenughat Dam,
Maithon Dam,
Kangsabati Dam, etc.

Large scale urbanization and industrial development brought a lot of pollution into the river waters.

The Ganga Action Plan has been taken to reduce the pollution of the river especially at Haridwar,
Kanpur, Allahabad and Varanasi.

Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and West Bengal are the states affected by frequent floods.

7
 3. THE BRAHMAPUTRA – BARAK RIVER BASIN

Brahmaputra River basin, is a part of the composite Ganga – Brahmaputra – Meghna basin.

It extends over an area of 5,80,000 Sq. Km and lies in Tibet (China), Bhutan, India and Bangladesh.

The basin is enclosed by the Himalayas on the north, the Patkari range of hills on the east running
along the Indo-Burma border, the Assam hills on the south and the ridge separating it from the Ganga
basin on the west.

In India, it drains over an area of 1,94,413 Sq. Km in the states of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam,
Nagaland, Meghalaya and West Bengal and Sikkim.

The Brahmaputra river known as the Tsangpo in Tibet, the Siang or Dihang in Arunachal Pradesh and
the Jamuna in Banglaesh.
It is one of the largest rivers of the world.
The 2880 km long Brahmaputra traverses its first 1,625 km in Tibet, the next 918 km in India and the
remaining 337 km in Bangladesh.

The average width of the Brahmaputra valley is about 86 km, of which the river itself occupies 15-19
km.

The river forms almost a trough receiving the flows of its tributaries both from north and south.

8
Some of the important tributaries of the river in India are
the Dibang,
the Luhit,
the Subansiri,
the Manas,
the Sankosh,
the Tista,
the Dhansiri and
the Champamati.

The annual rainfall in the Indian portion of the basin varies from 100 cm to 400 cm, most of which
occurs during the monsoon months of June to September.

Due to several geomorphic factors, the river carries heavy sediment load of the order of 735 million
tones per annum.

The Barak river rises in the Manipur hills and enters the plains near Lakhipur.
The Barak basin lies in India, Myanmar and Bangladesh and drains over an area of 41,723 Sq. Km in
India.

The basin is bounded on the north by the Barail range, on the east by the Naga and Lushai hills and on
the south and west by Bangladesh.
In India, the basin lies in the states of Mehalaya, Manipur, Mizoram, Assam, Tripura and Nagaland
with a total population of 6.2 million.

Before entering Bangladesh, the river bifurcates into two streams called Surma and Kushiara.

Further lower down, the river is called Mehna and receives the combined flow of the Ganga and the
Brahmaputra.

The principal tributaries of the Barak in India are

the Jiri,
the Dhaleshwari,
the Singla,
the Longai,
the Sonai and
the Katakhal.

Most portion of the Brahmaputra – Barak basin consists of hills, forests, cultivated lands and tea
gardens.

The basin has a wide variety of flora and fauna.

The famous wild life sanctuaries of Manas and Kaziranga, the Buxa tiger reserve, the Phibsoo reserve
forest (Bhutan) etc. provide glimpses of rare species of plant and animal life.
An average annual surface water potential of 585.6 Cu. Km has been assessed in this basin. Out of
this, 24.0 Cu. Km is utilialble water.
Cultivable area of the basin is about 13.04 M.ha. which is 7.1% of the total cultivable area of the
country.

The hydropower potential of the basin has been assessed as 33,054 MW at 60% load factor.
Some of important schemes implemented in this river are the Tista, Champamati and Dhansiri
barrages.

9
Floods are an annual feature in the Brahmaputra – Barak basin. The maximum flood prone area is of
the order of 4.33 Million ha.

Brahmaputra Board has been setup to look into the problems of floods, erosion and drainage
congestion in the basin.

4. NARMADA RIVER BASIN

Narmada basin extends over an area of 98,796 sq. Km which is nearly 3.0% of total geographical
area of the country.
The basin lies in the states of
Madhya Pradesh (85,859 km2 ),
Gujarat (11,300km2 ) and
Maharashtra (1,538km2 )

Narmada river rises near Anarkantak in Madhya Pradesh at an elevation of about 900 m and flows for
about 1312 km before outfalling into the Arabian Sea through the Gulf of Cambay.
Its principal tributaries are
the Burhner,
the Tawa,
the Hiran,
the Barna,
the Kolar and
the Orsang.

An average annual surface water potential of 45.6 Cu. Km has been assessed in this basin. Out of
this , 34.5 Cu. Km is utilizable water.

Cultivable area in the basin is about 5.9 M.ha, which is 3.0% of the total cultivable area of the
country.

Present use of surface water in the basin is 8.0 Cu. Km.

Live storage capacity in the basin has increased significantly since independence.

The hydropower potential of the basin has been assessed as 1321 MW at 60% load factor.

10
 5. TAPI RIVER BASIN

Tapi River Basin extends over an area of 65,145 Cu. Km which is nearly 2.0% of total geographical
area of the country.
The basin lies in the states of
Maharashtra (51,504Sq. Km ),
Madhya Pradesh (9,804Sq. Km ) and
Gujarat (3,837 Sq. Km ).

Tapi river rises near Multai in the Betual district of Madhya Pradesh at an elevation of about 752 m
and flows for about 724 km before outfalling into the Arabian sea through the Gulf of Cambay.
Its principal tributaries are
the Pruna,
the Girna,
the Panjhra,
the Vaghur,
the Bori and
the Aner.

An average annual surface water potential of 18 Cu. Km has been assessed in this basin.
Out of this, 14.5 Cu. Km is utilizable water.
Cultivable area in the basin is about 4.3 Million ha, which is 2.2% of the total cultivable area of the
country.

The hydropower potential of the basin is 119.7MW at 60% load factor.

11
 6. BRAHMANI-BAITARNI RIVER BASIN

Brahmani and Baitarni basin jointly extends over an area of 51,822 Sq. Km which is nearly 1.7% of
the total geographical area of the country.
The independent drainage areas of Brahmani and Baitarni are 39,033 Sq. Km and 12,879Sq. Km
respectively.
The basin lies in the state of
Orissa (34,749Sq. Km ),
Bihar (15,757Sq. Km ) and
Madhya Pradesh (1,316Sq. Km ).

The Brahmani river rises near Nagri village in Ranchi district of Bihar at an elevation of about 600 m
and has a total length of 799 km.
The Baitarni river rises in the hill ranges of Keonjhar district of Orissa at an elevation of about 900 m
and has a length of about 355 km.
Both river systems outfall into the Bay of Bengal forming a common delta area.
The important tributaries of Brahmani are
the Karo,
the Sankh, and
the Tirka and those of Baitarni are
the Salandi and
the Matai.

An average annual surface water potential of 28.5 Cu. Km has been assessed in this basin. Out of
this, 18.3 Cu. Km is utilizable water.

Cultivable area in the basin is about 3.2 M.ha, which is 1.6% of the total cultivable area of the
country.

The hydropower potential of the basin has been assessed as 548 MW at 60% load factor.

12
 7. MAHANADI RIVER BASIN

Mahanadi Basin extends over an area of 141,589 Sq. Km which is nearly 4.3% of total geographical
area of the country.
The basin lies in the states of
Chhattissgarh
Madhya Pradesh (75, 136 Sq. Km),
Orissa (65, 580 Sq. Km),
Bihar (635 Sq. Km) and
Maharashtra (238 Sq. Km).

Mahanadi river rises from Raipur district of Madhya Pradesh and flows for about 851 km before its
outfall into the Bay of Bengal.
Its main tributaries are
the Seonth,
the Jonk,
the Hasdeo,
the Mand,
the Ib,
the Ong and
the Telen.

Physiographically the basin can be divided into four regions, namely,

the Norther Plateau,
the Eastern Ghats,
the Coastal Plain and
the Erosional Plains of Central tableland.

An average annual surface water potential of 66.9 Cu. Km has been assessed in this basin. Out of
this, 50.0 Cu. Km is utilizable water.
Cultivable area in the basin is about 8.0 Million ha, which is 4.0% of the total cultivable area of the
country.

13
The hydropower potential of the basin has been assessed as 627 MW at 60% load factor.

8. GODAVARI RIVER BASIN

Godavari Basin extends over an area of 312,812 Sq. Km, which is nearly 9.5% of the total
geographical area o f the country.
The basin lies in the states of
Maharashtra (152,199 Sq. Km),
Andhra Pradesh (73,201 Sq. Km),
Madhya Pradesh (65,255 Sq. Km),
Orissa (17,752 Sq. Km) and
Karnataka (4,405 Sq. Km).

Godavari river rises near Nasik in Maharashtra at an elevation of 1067 m and flows for a length of
about 1465 km before outfalling into the Bay of Bengal.
The principal tributaries of the river are
the Parvara,
the Purna,
the Manjra,
the Penganga,
the Wardha,
the Wainganga,
the Indravati and
the Kolab.

An average annual surface water potential of 110.5 Cu. Km has been assessed in this basin. Out of
this, 76.3 Cu. Km is utilizable water. Cultivable area in the basin is about 18.9 Million ha, which is
9.7% of the total cultivable area of the country.
The hydropower potential of the basin has been assessed as 5091 MW at 60% load factor.

14
 9. KRISHNA RIVER BASIN

Krishna Basin extends over an area of 258,948 Sq. Km which is nearly 8% of total geographical area
of the country.
The basin lies in the state of
Karntaka (113,271 Sq. Km),
Andhra Pradesh (76,252 Sq. Km) and
Maharashtra (69,425 Sq. Km).

Krishna river rises in the Western Ghats at an elevation of about 1337 m just north of Mahabaleshwar,
about 64 km from the Arabian Sea and flows for about 1400 km and outfalls into the Bay of Bengal.

The principal tributaries joining Krishna are

the Ghataprabha,
the Malaprabha,
the Bhima,
the Tungabhadra and
the Musi.

An average annual surface water potential of 78.1 Cu. Km has been assessed in this basin. Out of
this, 58.0 Cu. Km is utilizable water.

Cultivable area in the basin is about 20.3 Million ha, which is about 10.4% of the total cultivable area
of the country.

The hydropower potential of the basin has been assessed as 2997 MW at 60% load factor.

15
 10. PENNAR RIVER BASIN

Pennar Basin extends over an area of 55, 213 Sq. Km which is nearly 1.7% of total geographical area
of the country.
The basin lies in the states of
Andhra Pradesh (48,276 Sq. Km) and
Karantaka (6,937 Sq. Km).

Pennar river rises from the Chenna Kesava hills of the Nandi range of Karnataka and flows for about
597 km before outfalling into Bay of Bengal.

The principal tributaries of the river are

the Jayamangal,
the Kunderu,
the Saileru,
the Chitravati,

16
the Papagni and
the Cheyyeru.

An average annual surface water potential of 6.3 Cu. Km has been assessed in this basin which is
completely utilizable.
Cultivable area in the basin is about 3.5 Million ha, which is 1.8% of the total cultivable area of the
country.

The hydropower potential of the basin has been assessed as 1359 MW at 60% load factor.

11. CAUVERY RIVER BASIN

Cauvery Basin extends over an area of 87,900 Sq. Km which is nearly 2.7% of total geographical area
of the country.
The basin lies in the states of
Tamil Nadu (48, 730 Sq. Km),
Karnataka (36,240 Sq. Km) and
Kerala (2,930 Sq. Km).

Cauvery river rises at Talakaveri on the Brahmagiri range in the Western Ghats in Karnataka at an
elevation of about 1341 m and flows for about 800 km before its outfall into the Bay of Bengal.

The important tributaries joining the Cauvery are

the Harangi,
the Hemavati,
the Kabini,
the Suvarnavathi and
the Bhavani.

Physiographically, the basin can be divided into three parts-the Western Ghats, the Plateau of Mysore
and the Delta.

The delta area is the most fertile tract in the basin.

An average annual surface water potential of 21.4 Cu. Km has been assessed in this basin. Out of
this, 19.0 Cu. Km is utilizable water.

17
Cultivable area in the basin is about 5.8 Million ha, which is about 3.0% of the total cultivable area of
the country.

The hydropower potential of the basin has been assessed as 1359 MW at 60% load factor.

12. MAHI RIVER BASIN

Mahi Basin extends over an area of 34, 842 Sq. Km which is nearly 1.1% of total geographical area of
the country.
The basin lies in the states of
Rajasthan (16,453 Sq. Km),
Gujarat (11,694 Sq. Km) and
Madhya Pradesh (6,695 Sq. Km).

Mahi river rises from the northern slopes of Vindhyas in Madhya Pradesh at an elevation of about
500m and flows for about 583 km before outfalling into the Arabian Sea through the Gulf of Cambay.
The principal tributaries of the river are
the som,
the Anas and
the Panam.

The upper part of the basin mostly lies in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh and comprises mostly hills
and forests except the lower half in Madhya Pradesh which is fairly plain.

The central part lying in Gujarat consists of developed lands.

An average annual surface water potential of 11.0 Cu. Km has been assessed in this basin. Out of
this 5.2 Cu. Km is utilizable water. Cultivable area in the basin is about 2.2 Million ha, which is
1.1% of the total cultivable area of t he country.

The hydropower potential of the basin has been assessed as 68.6 MW at 60% load factor.

13. SABARMATI RIVER BASIN

Sabarmati River Basin extends over an area of 21,674 Sq. Km which is nearly 0.7% of total
geographical area of the country.

Sabarmati river rises from Aravalli hills in Rajasthan at an elevation of about 762 m and flows for
about 371 Km before outfalling into the Arabian sea through the Gulf of Cambay.

18
The principal tributaries of Sabarmati are
the Sei,
the Wakal,
the Harnav,
the Hathmati, and
the Wartak.

An average annual surface water potential of 3.8 Cu. Km has been assessed in this basin. Out of
this, 1.9 Cu. Km is utilizable water.
Cultivable area in the basin is about 1.6 Million ha, which is 0.8% of the total cultivable area of the
country.

Other Rivers in Tamil Nadu:

a) Vaigai
b) Vaippar
c) Tambraparani
d) Vellar

19
Rivers in Kerala are:
a) Periyar
b) Ponnani

20
Sharavathi(Karnataka)

Vashishta and Savithri( Maharashtra)

Bhatsal(Maharashtra)

21
Bhadar and Shetrunji(Gujarat)

Luni(Rajasthan)

22
Banas

Subarnarekha & Baitarani

23
Rushikulya & Vamshadhara

Palar, Ponnaiyar and Vellar:

24
 India is a land of many rivers and mountains.
Some of the Indian rivers are considered as the most notable rivers of the world.
The rivers and mountains have a greater significance in the history of Indian culture,
economy, development, religious and spiritual life.
The river systems in India provide water for irrigation, drinking and domestic consumption,
cheap transportation and for generating electricity.
The rivers help for the livelihoods for a large number of people all over the country.
Most of the major cities of India are located by the banks of the rivers.
The perennial rivers are considered as the life supporting resources by all the farmers in
India.

25

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