RIVERS OF ODISHA

❇️MAHANADI RIVER❇️

The Mahanadi River system is the third largest of peninsular India after Godavari and Krishna.

Source/origin of Mahanadi- Nagri-Sihawa, Dhamtari, Chhatisgargh

Discharge location: False point, Jagatsinghpur

Length- 900 km (560 mi)

Basin Size- 132,100 km2 (51,000 sq mi)

Catchment area (States)- Chhatisgarh, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, Maharashtra

Catchment area (Districts)-

Chhattisgarh- Raipur, Janjgir, Raigarh

Odisha- Sambalpur, Subarnapur, Boudh, Anugul, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Nayagarh,Jharsuguda

Tributaries-

Left Bank : Seonath, Mand, Ib, Hasdeo, Kelo

Right Bank: Ong, parry, Jonk, Tel.

Distributaries – Kathajodi, Kuakhai, Devi, Surua, Paika, Birupa, Chitroptala, Genguti, Lun.

Rivers originating from Mahanadi Delta - Samolia, Gobari, Prachi, Kadua, Dhanua, Ratnachira and Nuna.

Dams/Barrages- Hirakud Dam(OD), Gangrel Dam (CG), Dhudhwa Dam(CG)

*Some points are added here which you won't find neither in B.N. Sinha book nor in G.C. Roy book.

MAHANADI RIVER-

Major Catchment area (States):- Chhatisgarh, Odisha,

Smaller Catchment Area:- Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, Maharashtra

❇️SUBARNAREKHA RIVER❇️

Source/origin- piska/nagri, near Ranchi, the capital of Jharkhand.

Discharge location- Kokpara

Length- 395 kilometres (245 mi)

Basin Size- 18,951 square kilometres (7,317 sq mi)

Catchment area (States)- Jharkhand, Odisha, West Bengal

Catchment area (Districts)- Balasore(OD)

Tributaries-

Left Bank- Dulunga

Right Bank- Kharkai, Roro, Kanchi, Harmu Nadi, Damra, Karru, Chinguru, Karakari, Gurma, Garra,
Singaduba, Kodia, and Khaijori

Projects on Subarnarekha- Getalsud reservoir(Jharkhand)

This river mainly brings disastrous floods in Balasore. Not much useful for Odisha.

*Some points are added here which you won't find neither in B.N. Sinha book nor in G.C. Roy book.

❇️BRAHMANI RIVER❇️

Source/origin- Confluence of South Koel River and Sankh River

Discharge location- Palmyras Point

Length- 480 kilometres (300 mi) , Second longest river in Odisha after Mahanadi.

Basin Size- about 39,033 square kilometres

Catchment area (States)- Odisha

Catchment area (Districts)- Sundargarrh, Anugul, Dhenkanal, Jajpur, Kendrapara

Tributaries- Kharasrota, Kharsuan

Projects on Brahmani- Rengali Dam

The Brahmani delta is the site of the Bhitarkanika wildlife sanctuary.

*Some points are added here which you won't find neither in B.N. Sinha book nor in G.C. Roy book.

❇️BAITARANI RIVER❇️

Source/origin- Gonasika Guptaganga Hills, Keonjhar, Odisha

Discharge location- drain into the Bay of Bengal after joining of the Brahmani at Dhamra mouth near
Chandabali.

Length- 360 km (220 mi)

Basin Size- 8,750 sq. km

Catchment area (States)- Odisha

Catchment area (Districts)- Keonjhar, Bhadrak, Jajpur

Tributaries - Salandi, Deo, Indrani

The river has 65 tributaries, of which 35 join from the left side and 30 join from the right side.

Projects on Subarnarekha- Salandi Dam, Singhanali

The upper Baitarani basin which lies on the western slopes of the Eastern Ghats comprises of the
Panposh-Keonjhar-Pallahara plateau, is one of two plateaus that make up "The Central Plateaus," one
of Odisha's five major morphological zones.

The Baitarani basin possesses rich mineral and agricultural resources and thus offers an ideal ground for
establishment of various industries. However, Baitarani basin face floods regularly.

*Some points are added here which you won't find neither in B.N. Sinha book nor in G.C. Ray Geography
book.

Dashashwamedha Ghat on the banks of the Baitarani river is famous place where Somvamshi King
Jajati Keshari performed Dashashwamedha yajna.
❇️BUDHABALANGA RIVER❇️

Source/Origin- Similipal hills

Discharge location- Bay of Bengal off Balasore coast.

Length- 175 kilometres (109 mi)

Basin Size- 4,840 square kilometres (1,870 sq mi)

Catchment area(States)- Odisha

Catchment Area (Districts)- Mayurbhanj, Balasore

Tributaries- Sone, the Gangadhar, and the Catra

Budhabalanga rises in the Similipal hills and plunges through Barehipani Falls, the second-highest
waterfall in India, located in Simlipal National Park.

The Baripada Plateau is highly eroded because of Budhabalanga river.

*Some points are added here which you won't find neither in B.N. Sinha book nor in G.C. Roy book.

❇️RUSHIKULYA RIVER❇️

Source/Origin- Daringbadi, Kandhamal, Odisha

Discharge location- Bay of Bengal at Puruna Bandha in Ganjam.

Length -165 km (103 mi)

Basin Size-7700 sq km

Catchment area(States)- Odisha

Catchment Area (Districts)- Kandhamal, Ganjam

Tributaries-

Left bank- Baghua, Dhanei, Badanadi

Right bank- Ghodahada

Lakhs of endangered Olive Ridley turtles flock the Rushikulya river mouth for their annual mass nesting

*Some points are added here which you won't find neither in B.N. Sinha book nor in G.C. Ray Geography
book.

❇️About Olive Ridley turtles❇️

These turtles, along with their cousin the Kemps ridley turtle, are best known for their unique mass
nesting called Arribada,

2⃣ The coast of Odisha in India is the largest mass nesting site for the Olive-ridley, followed by the coasts
of Mexico and Costa Rica.

The species is recognized as Vulnerable by the IUCN Red list.

4⃣ They lie in Scheduled 1 of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972

5⃣ They are in Appendix I of the CITES.

Always try to establish some links whatever you read. ଏଠ

ି ଋଷ
ି କ
ୁ ଲ୍ୟା ନଦୀ ଆସ
ି ଲ୍ା ମାନନ Olive Ridley କଇ
ଁ ଛ
କଥା ଆସି ଲ୍ା ନେଣ ୁ ecology part ବ
ି ଆସି ଲ୍ା l

❇️VAMSADHARA RIVER❇️

Source/Origin- Thuamul Rampur in Kalahandi

Discharge location- Bay of Bengal at Kalingapatnam, Andhra Pradesh.

Length- 254 kilometers

Basin Size-10,830 square kilometers

Catchment area(States)- Odisha, Andhra Pradesh

Catchment Area (Districts)- Kalahandi, Rayagada

Tributaries- Mahendratanaya River

*Some points are added here which you won't find neither in B.N. Sinha book nor in G.C. Roy book.

❇️Vamsadhara River Water Dispute between Odisha and Andhra Pradesh❇️

In the year 2021, the Vamsadhara water disputes tribunal released its final report without much change
from the draft report except sharing of available water in the river basin on yearly basis at 50:50 by both
states.

Inter-State River Water Disputes ରେ ସବ

ୁ ରବରେ Kaveri and Mahanadi news ଚର୍ଚ୍ଚାରେ େହ ୁ ଛ
ି ଏରବବ ି l
ରେଣ ୁ ଏହା ଉପରେ ଟ ି ରେ ନଜେ ପରେଇବା ଉଚ ି େ l These things come under polity portion and can easily
be understood.

INTER- STATE RIVER WATER DISPUTES

Article 246 of the Indian Constitution deals with the subject matter of laws to be made by the
Parliament and by Legislature of the States.

As most of the rivers in the country are inter-state, the regulation and development of the waters
of these rivers, is a source of interstate differences and disputes.

In the Constitution of India, water is a matter included in Entry 17 of List-II i.e. State List.

The Union list under the entry of 56 envision that the power of the Union Government of India on
the regulation and development of interstate rivers and river valleys to the extent declared by
Parliament to be expedient in the public interest.

List of Major Inter-State Water disputes in India

1. Godavari Water Disputes Tribunal

States concerned: Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Madhya Pradesh & Odisha

2. Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal –I

States concerned: Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka

3. Narmada Water Disputes Tribunal

States concerned: Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Maharashtra

4. Ravi & Beas Water Tribunal

States concerned: Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan

5. Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal

States concerned: Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry

6. Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal –II

States concerned: Karnataka, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra

7. Vamsadhara Water Disputes Tribunal

States concerned: Andhra Pradesh &Odisha

8. Mahadayi Water Disputes Tribunal

States concerned: Goa, Karnataka and Maharashtra

These are highly value added contents which are useful for both Prelims as well as in Mains GS papers.
So you can note down these so that it'll be easy for you to understand things better.

❇️BAHUDA RIVER❇️

Source/Origin- Khondalit terrain of the Eastern Ghats at Andanda, Gajapati

Discharge location- Ichhhapur, Andhra Pradesh

Length- 73 km

Basin Size- 1250 sq km

Catchment area(States)- Odisha , Andhra Pradesh

Catchment Area (Districts)- Gajapati, Sonepur, Ganjam

Tributaries- Bogiriadi, Batrada Nalla, Kantajura Nalla

*Some points are added here which you won't find neither in B.N. Sinha book nor in G.C. Roy book.

❇️NAGAVALI RIVER❇️

Source/Origin- Lakhbahal village, Thuamul Rampur block of Kalahandi District.

Discharge location- Bay of Bengal near Kallepalli village, Srikakulam, Andhra Pradesh

Length- 256.5 km (159.4 mi)approx.

Basin Size-9,510 square kilometres (3,670 sq mi)

Catchment area(States)- Odisha, Andhra Pradesh

Catchment Area (Districts)- Kalahandi, Rayagada and Koraput

Tributaries- Jhanjavati, Barha, Baldiya, Satnala, Sitagurha, Srikona, Gumudugedda, Vottigedda,

Suvarnamukhi, Vonigedda, Relligedda and Vegavati.

*Some points are added here which you won't find neither in B.N. Sinha book nor in G.C. Roy book.

❇️KOLAB RIVER❇️

Source/Origin- Sinkaram hill ranges of Eastern Ghats,Koraput, Odisha

Discharge location- Godavari river

Length- 418 km (260 mi)

Basin Size- 20,427 sq km (7,887 sq mi)

Catchment area(States)- Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Chhatishgarh

Catchment Area (Districts)- Koraput

Tributaries- itself is a tributary of river Godavari

Projects on Kolab River - Upper Kolab project

Kolab river is known as Sabari river in Andhra Pradesh

*Some points are added here which you won't find neither in B.N. Sinha book nor in G.C. Roy book.

❇️SILERU / MACHHAKUNDA RIVER❇️

Source/Origin- Dandakaranya, Andhra Pradesh

Discharge location- Godavari river

Length- 249 km

Basin Size- N.A.

Catchment area(States)- Odisha, Chhatisgarh, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana

Catchment Area (Districts)- Koraput

Tributaries- itself is tributary of Godavari

Projects on Sileru- Machhakund Hydro-electric project, Balimela project

Sileru river is known as Machhakund river in Odisha.

ୁ ୁ ଡମା ଜଳ ପ୍ରପ୍ାେ )is on the Machhakund river.

Duduma Waterfalls (ଡ

*Some points are added here which you won't find neither in B.N. Sinha book nor in G.C. Roy book.

All the river system of Odisha are now completed. Study these and give your best at the time of exam.