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Home / IAS Preparation / East Flowing Rivers In India

East Flowing Rivers in India - Damodar, Subarnarekha, Ponnaiyar, Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna River & More

Last Updated on Aug 29, 2023
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East Flowing Rivers in India are the Damodar River, Subarnarekha River, Ponnaiyar River, Mahanadi River, Godavari River, Krishna River, Kaveri River, Pennar River, Brahamani River, Sarada River and Vaigai Rivers. Most of the Deccan region's major river systems flow in an easterly direction and empty into the Bay of Bengal. East-flowing rivers in India form deltas that carry large sediments compared to west-flowing rivers and possess many tributaries.

The East Flowing Rivers in India is one of the most important topics for the UPSC IAS exam. It covers a significant part of the geography subject in the Mains General Studies Paper-1 syllabus and General Studies Paper-1 of the UPSC Prelims Syllabus.

In this article, we shall study the origin, tributaries, and important features of East Flowing Rivers in India UPSC. 

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About East Flowing Rivers in India 

East Flowing Rivers in India are classified as peninsular rivers. India's peninsula is a historic continent. As a result, the streams that run through this area are in an older stage. They are nearly back to their baseline level of degradation. Their ability to vertically erode valleys has almost completely disappeared. These streams are currently eroding their sides. Therefore, their valleys are becoming wider. Hence, their waters spread widely during the flood. Many rivers and their tributaries are flowing in the east direction. Even though they are small, the rivers that join the Bay of Bengal are significant. 

List of All East Flowing Rivers in India

The list of the east-flowing rivers is given below:

  • Damodar
  • Subarnarekha
  • Ponnaiyar
  • Mahanadi
  • Godavari
  • Krishna
  • Kaveri
  • Pennar
  • Brahamani
  • Sarada
  • Vaigai

Map of East Flowing Rivers in India

The east flowing rivers in India map has been given for a better understanding.

Also, check out the article on West Flowing Rivers of India for UPSC preparation!

East Flowing Rivers in India - In Brief

The east flowing rivers in India have been explained in brief below:

Damodar River

  • The Damodar River is an east-flowing river in India that originates in the Palamau hills of Chota Nagpur at an elevation of around 609.75 m.
  • Upon entering the deltaic plains below Raniganj, the river takes a south-eastward direction. However, it undergoes a significant course change in Burdwan, turning southward before joining the Hooghly River approximately 48.27 kilometers downstream from Calcutta.
  • The Damodar River has a total length of about 547 km, and its entire drainage area spans 22,005 sq km. Around 241 kilometers into its course, it receives its main tributary, Barkar.
  • Among the tributaries of the Damodar River are Konar, Ghari, Jamunia, Khadia, Guaia Barakar, Haharo, Bokaro, and Bhera. The largest among them is the Barakar River.
  • The Barakar and Damodar rivers divide the Chota Nagpur flat terrain into three sections. These rivers possess strong currents and can overpower anything flowing through the mountainsides.

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Subarnarekha River

  • The Subarnarekha River originates near Nagri village in the Ranchi District of Jharkhand at an elevation of 600 m.
  • Covering 395 km, the river eventually empties into the Bay of Bengal.
  • The Subarnarekha River basin is situated in the northeastern part of Peninsular India.
  • Its boundaries include the Chhotanagpur plateau to the north and west, ridges separating it from the Baitarani basin to the south, the Bay of Bengal to the southeast, and the Kasai Valley of the Kangsabati River to the east.
  • The two primary river systems within the basin are the Subernarekha and the Burhabalang. The Subarnarekha River, with an overall length of approximately 395 kilometers, is one of them.
  • Major tributaries of the Subarnarekha River include Kanchi, Kharkai, and Karkari.

Also, check out the NCERT notes on Types of Rainfall for UPSC preparation!

Ponnaiyar River

  • Ponnaiyar River origin lies in the Nandi Hills in the Chikkaballapura district of Karnataka. It flows through the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. 
  • Ponnaiyar River is a major east flowing river in India. 
  • It passes through the states of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. 
  • Ponnaiyar River empties into the Bay of Bengal. 
  • Ponnaiyar is also known as the Dakshina Pinakini river in the Kannada language. 

Mahanadi River

  • The Mahanadi River is a significant east-flowing river in India, originating in the Dhamtari district of Chhattisgarh and ultimately flowing into the Bay of Bengal.
  • Among the peninsular rivers, the Mahanadi River ranks second in terms of water potential, following the Godavari River.
  • The river is surrounded by the Maikal hill range in the west, the Eastern Ghats in the south and east, and the Central India hills in the north.
  • In the Rajnandgaon district of Chhattisgarh, there are several small clusters of hills, and the Seonath River serves as the longest tributary of the Mahanadi.
  • The Mahanadi basin is the eighth-largest basin in India, covering an area of 139,681.51 sq km, approximately 4.28% of the country's total geographical area.
  • Tributaries of the Mahanadi River include Seonath, Hasdeo, Tel, lb, Mand, Ong, and Jonk.
  • The three main tributaries, Seonath, Ib on the Left Bank, and Tel on the Right Bank, collectively contribute to around 46.63% of the Mahanadi river's catchment area.
  • The Mahanadi river basin also includes six other smaller streams that drain directly into the Chilka Lake, located between the Mahanadi and the Rushikulya.
  • The Hasdeo River originates in the Koriya district of Chhattisgarh, while the Jonk River rises in the Khariar highlands of the Naupada district of Odisha. The principal tributary is the Gej River.

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Godavari River

  • The Godavari River holds significant importance as an east-flowing river in India, originating near Trimbak in the Nashik District of Maharashtra.
  • Flowing eastward, the river crosses the Deccan Plateau before eventually emptying into the Bay of Bengal near Narasapuram in Andhra Pradesh's West Godavari district.
  • The Godavari River is also referred to as the Southern Ganges or Dakshin Ganga.
  • The drainage basin of the Godavari river spans across six states in India: Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, and Odisha.
  • Major tributaries of the Godavari river include the Manjira River, Indravati, Sabari River, and Bindusara Rivers.
  • The Godavari River holds great religious significance for Hindus, with numerous religious places situated along its banks.

Image: Godavari River Basin

Krishna River

  • Krishna, one of India's significant east-flowing rivers, is renowned as one of the largest rivers in central-southern India.
  • Also known as Krishnaveni, it serves as a vital irrigation source for Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh.
  • The Krishna River originates in the vicinity of Jor village at Mahabaleshwar in Maharashtra.
  • It ultimately empties into the Bay of Bengal at Hamasaladeevi on the eastern coast of Andhra Pradesh.
  • Due to intense land erosion during the monsoon season, the Krishna River is known for its destructive nature, making it one of the most catastrophic rivers globally.
  • Prominent tributaries of the Krishna River include the Koyna River, Venna River, Malaprabha River, Bhima River, Ghataprabha River, Dindi River, Musi River, Paleru River, and Dudhganga Rivers.
  • The Tungabhadra River holds great significance as the primary tributary of the Krishna River. It forms through the union of two rivers, namely, the Tunga River and the Bhadra River. It originates in the Western Ghats Mountain Ranges.

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Kaveri River

  • Kaveri is an important river in India. It flows in a southeast direction and holds great religious significance for Hindus, who consider it to be a goddess.
  • The Kaveri River originates at Talakaveri in the Western Ghats Mountain Range. It is specifically in the Kodagu District of Karnataka.
  • Flowing through the states of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, the river eventually reaches two significant outlets as it empties into the Bay of Bengal after passing through the southern Deccan terrains across the southeastern plains.
  • Several tributaries contribute to the Kaveri River's flow. It includes the Hemavati River, Shimsha River, Lokapavani River, Bhavani River, Amaravati River, Arkavathy River, Kabini River, and Noyyal River.

Pennar River

  • Penner is one of the east flowing rivers in India. Pennar river basin extends over the states of Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka.
  • Pennar river origin lies from the Chenna Kesava hills of the Nandi ranges of Karnataka and flows for about 597 km before draining into the Bay of Bengal. 
  • The Pennar river spans 597 kilometres from its origin to its discharge in the Gulf of Bengal. The Jayamangali, Kunderu, and Sagileru are the three main tributaries that join the river from the left, while the Chiravati, Papagni, and Cheyyeru do so from the right.
  • Some major tributaries of the Pennar river are the Jayamangal, the Chitravati, the Papagni, the Kunder, the Sagileru, and the Cheyyeru.
  • Red soil, black soil, sandy soil and mixed soil are some examples of soils found in the Pennar river basin.

Also, check out the article on Drainage Systems with this link!

Brahamani and Baitarni River

  • Brahamani and Baitarni Rivers origin lie from the Chhotanagpur Plateau on the north, by the ridge separating it from the Mahanadi basin on the west and the south and by the Bay of Bengal on the east.
  • The Brahmani river, also known as South Koel in its upper reaches, rises near Nagri village in the Ranchi district of Jharkhand at an elevation of about 600 m.
  • The Baitarni River originates in the hill ranges of the Kendujhar district of Odisha, close to the village of Dumuria, and has a length of around 355 km. Its altitude is about 900 metres. The river is known as Dhamra in its lower sections. 
  • As the Karo and Sankh join from the left as important tributaries of Brahmani, the Tikra joins from the right. 
  • The two main tributaries of Baitarni that join from the left are the Salandi and the Matai. Both the Brahmani and the Baitarni formed common delta basins before entering the Gulf of Bengal.

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Sarada River

  • Sarada river is a medium-sized river in the Visakhapatnam district of Andhra Pradesh. It is one of the important east-flowing rivers in India. 
  • Sarada river rises at an elevation of 1,000 meters in the Eastern Ghats. It runs eastwards for a distance of 122 kilometres and joins the Bay of Bengal.
  • River Nagavali, River Gosthani, River Gambiramgedda, River Megadrigedda, Gulf of Bengal, and the Machhkund sub-basin of the River Godavari all surround the basin.
  • The largest city in the basin is Visakhapatnam. Some of the important towns in the basin include Yelamanchili and Anakapalli.
  • Sarada river is a major base for irrigation in the Visakha district.

Vaigai River

  • Vaigai River is one of the important east flowing rivers in India. Its origin lies in Varusanadu Hills, the Periyar Plateau of the Western Ghats range, and flows northeast through the Kambam Valley, which lies between the Palani Hills to the north and the Varushanad Hills to the south.
  • This Vaigai river basin is divided into two major topographical divisions, namely the hilly areas and the plains. The river basin is elongated in shape and empties into Palk Bay.
  • The Varushanadu hills, Andipatti hills, Cardaman hills, and Palani hills border the Vaigai river basin on the west, while the Palk strait and Palk Bay border it on the east.

Also, check out the NCERT notes on Earth – Origin & Evolution for UPSC preparation!

East Flowing Rivers in India: List of Major East Flowing Rivers of India, Their Origin & Tributaries: Download PDF here!

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FAQs on East Flowing Rivers in India

Some of the major east flowing rivers in India are Mahanadi, Pennar, Subarnarekha, Brahamani, Ponnaiyar, Vaigai River, Godavari, Krishna, and Kaveri.

Godavari river is the longest east flowing river in India. It is also known as Dakshin Ganga. The mouth of the Godavari river lies in the Bay of Bengal.

The east-flowing rivers are those rivers which have mouths in there the Bay of Bengal such as the Mahanadi river, Godavari river, and Krishna river whereas west flowing rivers are those rivers which have mouths in the Arabian sea such as  Narmada and the Tapi.

Only three rivers in Kerala flow east wards the Kabini river enters Karnataka, while the Bhavani and Pambar rivers enter Tamil Nadu. These three significant rivers merge to create the Kaveri in Kerala.

Why are most of the peninsular rivers east-flowing?
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