River of Telangana | Telangana State PSC (TSPSC): Preparation Course - TSPSC (Telangana) PDF Download

Drainage Systems

• Drainage systems, also referred to as river systems, represent the interconnected patterns formed by streams, rivers, and lakes within a specific drainage basin.
• These systems are heavily influenced by various factors such as the topography of the land, the composition of rocks (hard or soft), and the land's gradient.

Rivers and Drainage System of Telangana

• The rivers and drainage system of Telangana play a crucial role in shaping the region's landscape and ecology.
• This intricate network of rivers and water bodies influences agriculture, biodiversity, and overall development in the area.

Examples of Drainage Systems

• One example of a river system in Telangana is the Godavari River, which flows through the state and supports irrigation and livelihoods of many people.
• Another example is the Musi River, which passes through Hyderabad and is essential for the city's water supply and ecosystem.

Impact of Drainage Systems

• The drainage systems in Telangana impact the region's agriculture by providing water for irrigation and influencing soil fertility.
• They also play a role in shaping the local climate, biodiversity, and overall environmental sustainability.

Major Rivers in Telangana

• The state of Telangana is primarily drained by two significant rivers, the Godavari and Krishna, along with their tributaries. These rivers flow through the state before reaching Andhra Pradesh and eventually empty into the Bay of Bengal.
• Telangana comprises two main basins and ten sub-basins, with the major river basins being Godavari and Krishna. The sub-basins include lower Krishna, middle Krishna, lower Godavari, Indravati, Wainganga, Pranhita, Manjira, Lower Bhima, and middle Godavari.
• The drainage pattern in Telangana is mostly dendritic, featuring wide valleys in the western pediplain. In contrast, the drainage of the Eastern Ghats is characterized by coarse and dendritic flows with steep and narrow valleys.
• Many smaller streams in the region contribute to numerous tanks. The River Godavari, along with its tributaries such as Pranahita, Pedda Vagu, Manjira, Maner, Kinnerasani, Sileru, and Pamuleru, drains the entirety of northern Telangana.
• Southern Telangana is drained by rivers like Tungabhadra, Vedavati, Hindri, Musi, Paleru, and Maneru. The drainage basins exhibit an undulating topography characterized by ridges, valleys, and interspersed hill ranges.

List of Major Rivers in Telangana

• Bhima River
• Godavari
• Krishna River
• Manjra
• Pranhitha
• Tungabhadra
• Wainganga
• Wardha

Krishna River System of Telangana

• The river Krishna is a significant Inter-State river in Southern India, originating in the Western Ghats near Mahabaleshwar in Maharashtra State at an altitude of 1337 meters.
• It traverses the entire width of the peninsula, covering a distance of approximately 1400 km from west to east, passing through Maharashtra, Karnataka, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh. The total catchment area of the Krishna basin is 258,948 sq km.
• The key tributaries of the Krishna in Karnataka include the Ghataprabha, Malaprabha, Bhima, and Tungabhadra rivers. With the exception of the Malaprabha River, all these tributaries have their catchment areas extending across both Karnataka and Maharashtra.

Godavari River System

• The Godavari River originates in the Nasik district of Maharashtra, situated approximately 80 kilometers away from the Arabian Sea coast, at a height of 1067 meters.
• After covering a distance of around 1465 kilometers in a general south-easterly direction, passing through Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh, the Godavari River empties into the Bay of Bengal near Rajamundry.
• The main tributaries of the Godavari include the Pravara, Purna, Manjra, Pranahita, Indravathy, and Sabari rivers. However, the Manjra River's catchment area partially extends into the state of Karnataka.

Hydrography of Telangana

Moosy River

• The Moosy River, also known as the Musi River, is a small river located in the Prakasam district.
• Originating near Dokkalasala in the Veligondas, it flows eastwards and then southwards through various Mandals before joining the Bay of Bengal near Madanur.
• It is fed by tributaries such as the Gajjaleru, Dondaleru, and Atleru, and plays a vital role in supplying water to tanks in Podili and Konakanamitla Mandals.

Kinnerasani River

• The Kinnerasani River is a significant water body in the region.
• It serves as a crucial source of water for irrigation and other purposes in the surrounding areas.
• Its flow impacts the local ecosystem and supports various forms of flora and fauna.

Kinnerasani River and Wildlife Sanctuary

• Kinnerasani River is a significant tributary of the Godavari River, coursing through the Warangal and Khammam districts of Telangana and the West Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh.
• In Khammam District, the river is impounded by the Kinnerasani Dam.
• The reservoir formed by the dam is enveloped by lush hills and falls within the boundaries of the Kinnerasani Wildlife Sanctuary.
• Flowing along the right bank of the Godavari, the river serves as a border between Andhra Pradesh and Telangana before merging with the main Godavari River.