Chhattisgarh: Rivers | Chhattisgarh State PSC (CGPSC) Preparation: All subjects - CGPSC (Chhattisgarh) PDF Download

Introduction

The rivers of Chhattisgarh hold significant economic, social, political, and religious importance. The state's drainage system is divided into five major river basins: the Mahanadi Basin, Godavari Basin, Ganga Basin, Brahmani Basin, and Narmada Basin. Each of these basins plays a crucial role in the region's hydrology and supports various human activities.

Rivers of Chhattisgarh

Mahanadi Basin

• The Mahanadi Basin covers an area of 141,589 square kilometers, which is approximately 4.3% of India's total geographical area. This basin spans across the states of Chhattisgarh (75,858.45 sq km), Odisha (65,580 sq km), Bihar (635 sq km), and Maharashtra (238 sq km). 
• The Mahanadi River originates in Raipur district, Chhattisgarh, and flows for about 851 kilometers before emptying into the Bay of Bengal. Its major tributaries include the Seonath, Jonk, Hasdeo, Mand, Ib, Ong, and Tel rivers, most of which join from the western and northern sides. 
• The basin is divided into four physiographic regions: the Northern Plateau, the Eastern Ghats, the Coastal Plain, and the Erosional Plains of the Central Table Land. The first two are hilly regions, while the coastal plain is a central interior region traversed by the river and its tributaries.

Seonath Sub-Basin

• The Seonath River originates near Panabaras village in Rajnandgaon District. The basin area of the river, up to its confluence with the Mahanadi River, is 30,860 square kilometers, with the river traversing a length of 380 kilometers. 
• Major tributaries of the Seonath River include the Tandula, Kharun, Arpa, Hamp, Agar, and Maniyari rivers. Tandula River, in particular, forms a large reservoir in the district, providing water for the northeastern parts of Durg.

Hasdeo Sub-Basin

• The Hasdeo River, a significant tributary of the Mahanadi, has a total length of 245 kilometers and originates in Mendra village. It flows southward through Koriya, Bilaspur, and Korba districts. 
• During its course, it merges with tributaries such as the Gej and Chornai rivers on the left bank and the Tan and Ahiran rivers on the right before meeting the Mahanadi.

Pairi Sub-Basin

• The Pairi River originates from the Bhatigarh hills in Raipur District and flows southward, draining a significant portion of the undivided Raipur district. It meets the Mahanadi near Rajim.

Tel Sub-Basin

• The Tel River is an important tributary of the Mahanadi, joining the main river at Sonpur or Subarnapur. 
• The Baidyanath Temple, famous for the Kosaleshwar Shiva Temple, is located on the left bank of the Tel River.

Ib Sub-Basin

• The Ib River originates in the hills near Pandrapet and joins the Mahanadi River, flowing directly into the Hirakund Reservoir.

Mand Sub-Basin

• The Mand River joins the Mahanadi in Chandrapur, Maharashtra, before the river reaches the Hirakund Dam.

Jonk Sub-Basin

• The Jonk River flows through the mountainous areas of Mahasamund district and moves eastward to join the Mahanadi near Shivrinarayan.

Kelo Sub-Basin

• The Kelo River originates in the Ludega hills in Raigarh District and joins the Mahanadi in Odisha at MahadevPali.

Other Sub-Basins

• While the tributaries from the eastern side of the Mahanadi contribute less in terms of number and volume, three important rivers—Silari, Maramsilli, and another small river—deserve mention. 
• The Silari River links the Maramsilli reservoir in southwestern Raipur district to the Mahanadi.

Godavari Basin

• The Godavari River originates in the Sahyadris near Triambakeswar, Maharashtra, about 80 km from the Arabian Sea, at an elevation of 1,067 meters. 
• After flowing for about 1,465 kilometers through Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh, the Godavari empties into the Bay of Bengal north of Rajahmundry. 
• The Godavari Basin covers an area of 312,813 square kilometers, nearly 10% of India's total geographical area. In Chhattisgarh, the basin spans about 38,694.02 square kilometers, accounting for 12.36% of the basin's total area.

Indravati Sub-Basin

• The Indravati River is a significant tributary of the Godavari, located in the Bastar region. 
• Originating in Odisha, the river divides the area into two halves. 
• Its major tributaries include the Narangi, Baordhig, Nibra, Kotri, and the Chintavagu stream.

Other Sub-Basins of the Godavari Basin

• Besides the Indravati and its tributaries, three important streams in the Bastar region—Talperu, Chinta, and Sabari—are direct tributaries of the Godavari. 
• Most rivers in the Dandakaranya region south of Indravati are perennial, though their flow fluctuates greatly. Due to rapid runoff and evaporation, the land dries up quickly after the monsoon season, with minimal water used for agriculture.

Ganga Basin

• The Ganga Basin covers an area of 1,086,000 square kilometers, with the Indian portion of the drainage area measuring 862,769 square kilometers, about 26.2% of India's total geographical area. 
• Chhattisgarh contributes approximately 18,406.65 square kilometers, or 1.695% of the basin's total area.

Son Sub-Basin

• The Son River, a right-bank tributary of the Ganga, originates from the Amarkantak Plateau of the Maikal Range in Bilaspur District. 
• Its tributaries include the Kanhar, Rihand, Gopad, Banas, and Bijal rivers.

Rihand River

• The Rihand River rises in southern Surguja and flows northward, draining the Surguja Basin. It is a tributary of the Son, which eventually merges with the Ganga. 
• The Rihand is joined by three main tributaries—Gungata, Mahan, and Moran—during its northward course in Surguja district.

Kanhar River

• The Kanhar River flows briefly through eastern Surguja before joining the Son River in Uttar Pradesh.

Brahmani Basin

• The Brahmani Basin is located in the districts of Raigarh and Sarguja in Chhattisgarh, as well as in Ranchi and Singhbhumi in Jharkhand, and Sundergarh, Deogarh, Sambalpur, Angul, Dhenkanal, Keonjhar, Jajpur, and Kendrapara in Odisha. 
• The Brahmani Basin is situated between the Mahanadi Basin to the right and the Baitarani Basin to the left. The Chhotanagpur Plateau forms the eastern and southern boundaries, while a ridge separates it from the Mahanadi Basin in the north. 
• The Bay of Bengal and the Baitarani Basin lie to the east. Of the basin's total area of 39,269 square kilometers, 1,394.45 square kilometers, or 3.55%, falls within Chhattisgarh.

Narmada Basin

• The Narmada River originates in the Amarkantak Plateau of the Maikal Range in the Shahdol District of Madhya Pradesh at an elevation of 1,057 meters. 
• The river flows for 1,312 kilometers before emptying into the Gulf of Cambay (Khambat) in the Arabian Sea near Bharuch, Gujarat. 
• The Narmada Basin covers an area of 98,796 square kilometers, with Chhattisgarh accounting for 743.88 square kilometers, or 0.75% of the basin's total area.

Conclusion

Chhattisgarh is home to a diverse network of rivers and drainage systems, particularly in the southern and eastern regions of the state. These rivers, which flow through deep gorges in hilly areas, carry large volumes of water during the rainy season. The region's rich potential for rainwater harvesting and surface irrigation projects offers significant opportunities for supporting kharif crops and overall water management.