Drainage System of Chhattisgarh | Chhattisgarh State PSC (CGPSC) Preparation: All subjects - CGPSC (Chhattisgarh) PDF Download

Introduction

The rivers of Chhattisgarh play a crucial role in shaping the region's economy, society, politics, and religious practices. Situated amidst lush green hills and plateaus, Chhattisgarh is interspersed with numerous rivers that not only enhance the natural beauty of the state but also contribute to its fertile plains and agricultural prosperity. These natural drainage systems are vital for irrigation, cultivation, and supporting the livelihoods of the state's population.

Importance of Rivers in Chhattisgarh

• The rivers of Chhattisgarh are integral to the development of major towns and cities. For instance, Raipur, the state capital, is situated on the banks of the Kole River. The Maniyari River flows through Taalagaon, Jagdalpur is located on the banks of the Indravati River, and Bilaspur is near the Arpa River. 
• Additionally, many religious and pilgrimage sites have developed along these rivers. The Danteshwari Temple in Dantewada, located at the confluence of the Dankini and Shankini rivers, and Rajim, situated at the confluence of the Sondhul, Mahanadi, and Pairi rivers, are prime examples. The scenic waterfalls and rapids along these rivers also make them major tourist attractions.

Major River Basins in Chhattisgarh

Chhattisgarh's drainage system is divided into five major river basins, each contributing to the state's water resources:

• Mahanadi Basin: Drains 75,858.45 sq km
• Godavari Basin: Drains 38,694.02 sq km
• Ganga Basin: Drains 18,406.65 sq km
• Brahmani Basin: Drains 1,394.55 sq km
• Narmada Basin: Drains 743.88 sq km

Mahanadi Basin

• The Mahanadi River, which drains a vast central region of Chhattisgarh, is the state's most important and largest water body. This river system collects almost all the rainwater in its basin and carries it to the Bay of Bengal. The Mahanadi flows northeast through Raipur district for about 204 km before meeting its largest tributary, the Seonath River.
• The portion of the Mahanadi Basin located in Chhattisgarh is divided into several sub-basins, including the Chhattisgarh Basin, Raigarh Basin, Hasdo Rampur Basin, Korba Basin, and Kanker Basin. The Chhattisgarh Basin, formed by the Mahanadi and Seonath rivers, is the most extensive and agriculturally rich region in the state, earning it the title of the "rice bowl" of India. However, this area also faces significant drought-related challenges.

Seonath Sub-Basin (Shivnath River)

• The Shivnath River originates from the Panabaras Hill in Rajnandgaon District and is the largest tributary of the Mahanadi River, joining it in Khargahni, Bilaspur district. 
• The river flows for a total length of 290 km and plays a vital role in the region's water management.

Hasdeo Sub-Basin

• The Hasdeo River, another major tributary of the Mahanadi, flows southward through Koriya, Bilaspur, and Korba districts. It has a total length of 245 km, with its origin in Mendra village. 
• The river merges with tributaries such as Gej, Chornai, Tan, and Ahiran before meeting the Mahanadi.

Mand Sub-Basin

• The Mand River, a tributary of the Mahanadi in India, merges with the Mahanadi at Chandrapur in Maharashtra, approximately 28 km from the Odisha border, just before the river reaches the Hirakud Dam.
• Spanning a total length of 241 km, the Mand River originates at an elevation of around 686 meters in Surguja district, Chhattisgarh. It collects the drainage from the southern region of the Mainpat Plateau, covering an area of about 5,200 square kilometers.

Ib Sub-Basin

• The Ib River, a tributary of the Mahanadi River in northeastern Central India, flows directly into the Hirakud Reservoir. It originates in the hills near Pandrapet at an elevation of 762 meters (2,500 feet). 
• The river passes through Raigarh and Jashpur districts in Chhattisgarh, as well as Jharsuguda and Sundargarh districts in Odisha, eventually merging with the Mahanadi at Hirakud Dam.

Pairi Sub-Basin

• The Pairi River, an important tributary of the Mahanadi, merges with the Mahanadi near Rajim in the Gariaband district of Chhattisgarh, India. It originates in the Bhatigarh Hills, situated at an elevation of 493 meters near Bindravagarh in Raipur district. 
• Flowing southward, the river eventually meets the Mahanadi near Rajim and covers a catchment area of 3,000 square kilometers in Raipur district.

Jonk Sub-Basin

• The Jonk River flows through the mountainous areas of Mahasamund and Raipur districts, eventually joining the Mahanadi near Shivrinarayan. 
• Its drainage area covers 2,480 sq km in Raipur district.

Kelo Sub-Basin

• This river originates in the Ludega Hills of Gharghoda tehsil, located in Raigarh district. 
• Flowing from north to south through the Gharghoda and Raigarh districts, it eventually reaches a place called MahadevPali in the state of Odisha, where it joins the Mahanadi River.

Tel Sub-Basin

• The Tel River is a significant tributary of the Mahanadi. It flows just eight kilometers from the town of Titilagarh and meets the Mahanadi River at Sonpur, also known as Subarnapur. 
• The convergence of these two rivers creates a striking view against a vibrant landscape. The Baidyanath Temple, renowned for the Kosaleshwar Shiva Temple, is situated on the left bank of the Tel River.

Godavari Basin

1. Indravati Sub-Basin

• The Indravati River is the principal tributary of the Godavari River and the largest river in Bastar district. Originating in the Kalahandi Plateau of Odisha, the river flows for about 370 km in Bastar before joining the Godavari. 
• The river is famous for creating the spectacular Chitrakote Waterfall, about 35 miles west of Jagdalpur.

2. Sabari Sub-Basin

• The Sabari River originates in the Bailadila Hills near Dantewada and flows through the southeastern boundary of Bastar into Andhra Pradesh, where it joins the Godavari River in Kunavaram. The river forms a catchment area of 5,680 sq km in Bastar district.

Ganga Basin

The Ganga Basin covers about 15% of Chhattisgarh's area, with significant portions in Bilaspur, Raigarh, and Surguja districts.

1. Son River

• The Sone River is an important right-bank tributary of the Ganga River. It originates from the Amarkantak highlands in the Maikala Range of Bilaspur district, Chhattisgarh, at an elevation of 640 meters, with coordinates of 20°44' N latitude and 82°4' E longitude. The river flows into the Ganga approximately 16 km upstream of Patna, at 25°14' N latitude and 84°42' E longitude. The Sone River has a total length of 881 km and a catchment area of 70,055 square kilometers.
• The river's catchment area is bordered by the Vindhya Range to the north, the Punpun River system and Chotanagpur Plateau to the east, the Baghelkhand Plateau and Mahadeva Hills to the south, and the forested Maikal and Bhamver Ranges to the west. Other tributaries of the Sone River include the Kanhar, Rihand, Gopad, Banas, and Bijal rivers.

2. Kanhar River

• Originating at an elevation of 1,012 meters in the northwestern part of Bilaspur district, this river flows through the Khudiya Plateau before descending from a mountainous region known as Bakhona. 
• It then takes a northern course towards Samari Tehsil, where it cascades down a 60-meter-high waterfall called Kothri. Afterward, the river merges with the Son River on the borders of Satna and Son districts. 
• The Kanhar River has a catchment area of 3,030 square kilometers in Surguja district, with major tributaries including SindurGalphula, Datram, Pengn, and others.

3. Rihand River

• This river originates from the Matringa Hills, situated at an elevation of 1,088 meters in the Mainpat Plateau of Surguja district. Flowing northward from its source, the river forms the Surguja Basin, earning it the title of the lifeline of Surguja district. It covers the largest catchment area of 145 km in the region. 
• A dam named Rihand has been constructed over the river in the Mirzapur region. After passing through the Rihand Basin, the river enters Uttar Pradesh and eventually joins the Son River. Its main tributaries include Ghunghuta, Morni, Mahan, Surya, Gobri, and others. The principal subsidiary of the Rihand River is Naida.

Brahmani Basin

• The Brahmani River is formed by the confluence of the South Koel and Sankh rivers near the major industrial town of Rourkela. The Sankh River originates near the Jharkhand–Chhattisgarh border, close to the Netarhat Plateau, while the South Koel River arises in Jharkhand, near Lohardaga, on the opposite side of a watershed that also gives rise to the Damodar River. 
• Both rivers have their sources in the Chota Nagpur Plateau. The site where the Brahmani River begins is mythologically significant, as it is believed to be the place where Sage Parashara fell in love with Satyavati, a fisherman's daughter who later gave birth to Ved Vyasa, the compiler of the Mahabharata. This location is therefore known as Ved Vyasa.

Narmada Basin

• The Narmada River originates from the Satpura Range in Amarkantak, Chhattisgarh. Flowing from east to west, it eventually reaches the Arabian Sea. In Chhattisgarh, the river is also known as Reva and is considered sacred, with strong associations to Lord Shiva. 
• The local people regard viewing the Narmada River as an auspicious act, making it a prominent religious and pilgrimage site.

Other Important Rivers

• Tandula River: The Tandula River, a major tributary of the Shivnath River, originates in the hills of Kanker district's Bhanupratappur tehsil.
• Kharun River: Flowing from the southeast of Durg district, the Kharun River flows northwards for 80 km before joining the Shivnath River near Somnath in Simga. It forms a drainage area of 180 sq km in Durg district and 2,700 sq km in Raipur district.
• Borai River: The Borai River originates from the Korba Plateau and flows southwards to join the Mahanadi River. It is one of the major tributaries of the Shivnath River.
• Doodh River: The Doodh River originates in the Malajkundam Hills, 15 km from Kanker district, and flows eastward to join the Mahanadi River.
• Dankini and Shankini Rivers: These two rivers are the main tributaries of the Indravati River. The Dankini River originates in the Dangri-Dongri Hills, while the Shankini River originates in the Bailadila Mountains. Both rivers converge at Dantewada.
• Bagh River: The Bagh River originates from a plateau in Rajnandgaon district and forms the border between Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra.
• Narangi River: The Narangi River emerges from the Kondagaon tehsil of Bastar district and merges into the Indravati River near Chitrakote Waterfall.
• Kotri River: The Kotri River originates in the highlands of Durg district and joins the Indravati River in Kanker district. Its largest catchment area is in Rajnandgaon district.

These rivers, along with their extensive networks of tributaries, distributaries, and streams, shape the state's landscape, support its agriculture, and provide numerous religious, cultural, and ecological benefits.