Rivers And Drainage System (Bihar GK in English)

Major Rivers in Bihar (Bihar GK in English)

Bihar has trellis (grid) and dendritic drainage patterns due to its physical topography. The catchment area of these rivers is large. On the basis of rivers and the origin of their drainage patterns, the river system of Bihar is divided into two categories, such as:
1. Rivers originating from Himalayas/North Ganga Plain
2. Rivers originating from Plateau region/South Ganga Plain.

Rivers Originating from Plateau Region/South Ganga Plain

➤ It includes those rivers which originate from Peninsular Plateau and flow towards North direction and finally meet with the Ganga river.
➤ Important Peninsular Plateau rivers are Son, Punpun, Phalgu, Karmanasa, Sakri, Ajay, Chandan and Kiul rivers.
These rivers are discussed below:

Punpun

➤ It originates from Chauraha hill in Palamu district in Jharkhand and meets the Ganga near Fatuha in Patna.
It is the second most important river of South Bihar.
➤ It enters Bihar in Gaya district. Dordha, Butane, Madar and Morhar, Ramrekha, Baraki, Yamuni, Bilro are its tributaries.
➤ It is 200 km long. It is mostly rainfed and seasonal and carries little water in the dry season. However, during rains, the Punpun often causes heavy flood damaging East of Patna city.

Son

➤ It originates from Maikal range of Amarkantak hills in Madhya Pradesh near source region of Narmada. In ancient times, it was also known as 'Sonbhadra' and 'Hiranyawah'.
➤ In last 2500 years, its course has shifted towards West. It is the longest South tributary of Ganga in Bihar.
➤ The Son river with 780 km length is one of the largest rivers of India out of which it flows only 202 km in Bihar.
➤ It enters Bihar in Rohtas district and also flows through Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Jharkhand states before entering into Bihar.
➤ It flows through Rift valley and forms boundaries of Palamu district of Jharkhand and Rohtas, Aurangabad, Bhojpur and Patna districts of Bihar.
➤ It finally meets with Ganga river near Danapur in Patna.
➤ Son river has a steep gradient with quick run-off and ephemeral regimes.
➤ Its main tributaries are Rihand, North Koel, Gopad and Kanhar.
➤ It divides the Kaimur hills and North Koel river valley which is located in South.
➤ Arrah, Dehri and Sonbhadra are the major cities situated at the bank of Son river.
➤ Son being wide and shallow, leaves disconnected pools of water in the remaining part of the year.
➤ The channel of Son is very wide (about 5 km at Dehri on Sone) but the floodplain is narrow, only 3 to 5 km wide.
➤ Flood due to Son river has been checked with the Anicut at Dehri and Indrapuri Barrage.

Phalgu

➤ It originates from the Northern part of Chota Nagpur plateau in the form of many streams. Its main stream is known as 'Niranjana' (Lilajan) which meets with Mohana stream near Bodhgaya and forms Phalgu river.
➤ It is said that at Bodhgaya on the banks of Niranjana river, Gautama Buddha obtained enlightenment.
➤ At the banks of Phalgu river in Gaya, people offer 'Pind Daan' for the souls of their ancestors. Thus, Phalgu river is the holy river not only in Bihar but all over the country.
➤ It divides into two streams near Barabar hill (Jehanabad district) and again divides into many streams after some distance (Dhohar, Dhanruji, Khuri, Lokain, and so on).
➤ At the confluence of Lilajan and Mohana rivers, Phalgu becomes a subject of heavy floods during monsoon season while in other seasons it dwindles into different streams and flows through sandy region.

Sakri

➤ It originates from the Hazaribag plateau of North Chota Nagpur.
➤ It enters Bihar near Govindpur in Nawada district. It flows through Gaya, Nawada, Patna and Munger districts and finally meets with Ganga river along with Kiul andMorhar rivers.
➤ A canal has been constructed from Sakri river in Nawada district. Its water is used for irrigation in Gaya and Patna districts.

Karmanasa

➤ It originates near Sarodag on the Northern face of the Kaimur range of hills and meets river Ganga near Chausa (Buxar district) forming Uttar Pradesh-Bihar border for a long distance. It is a tributary of the Ganges.
➤ Its tributaries are the Durgavati, the Chandraprabha, the Karunuti, the Nadi and the Khajuri.
➤ It is considered a cursed and unholy river. Its catchment area is found in the Kaimur hill region and plain areas of Buxar district.

Chandan

➤ It is formed by five streams thus, also known as 'Panchanan'. These streams flow as a big stream near Giriak in Nalanda district due to the barrier of Rajgir hill.

Ajay

➤ It originates from Batpad place of Jamui district. It flows in the East and South direction and enters Jharkhand then West Bengal and finally meets the Ganga river.
➤ Its length in Bihar is 202 km. This river is also known as 'Ajyabati' or 'Ajmati'.

Kiul

➤ It originates from Hazaribag plateau and enters Bihar in Jamui district through a narrow gorge near the Satpahari hill. Its total length in Bihar is 111 km.
➤ Its important tributaries are Harohar, Anjan, Barnar and Ulan. It meets the Ganges in Surajgarha village in Lakhisarai.

Rivers Originating from Himalayas/North Ganga Plain

These rivers originate from the Himalayas which is located in the North of the state. These rivers flow through the Northern plain regions which are formed by the Ganges and its tributaries, and finally drains in the Bay of Bengal which is located in the South-East direction. These Himalayan rivers are Ganga,Ghaghara (Saryu), Gandak, Burhi Gandak, Kosi, Kamla Balan, Bagmati and Mahananda rivers.
The major rivers which flow through the level plains of Bihar are tributaries of Ganga river.Ghaghara,Gandak, and Karmanasa rivers forms boundary between Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. These rivers have water throughout the year as they get water from the glaciers of Himalayas, thus these rivers are known as perennial rivers. In their flood plains, these rivers deposit fertile alluvium form meanders and frequently change their courses.
The major rivers originating from Himalayas are given below:

Ghaghara/Saryu

➤ It originates from Mapchachungo glacier in Tibetan Plateau near lake Mansarovar in Nepal. It is also known as 'Sharda river'.
➤ The total length of this river is 1080 km out of which it flows for only 83 km in Bihar.
➤ It is the second largest tributary of Ganga after the Yamuna river.
➤ It enters into Bihar state near Guthani of Siwan district and joins the river Ganga at Revelganj, Saran district. It joins river Ganga from North-West direction in Chhapra.
➤ It is highly sacred for Hindus and Buddhists.
➤ Due to its fast flow, it is known as Ghaghara or Ghaghar.
➤ This river is also known as Karnali in mountainous region.
➤ Important tributaries of Ghaghara river are Choti Gandak, Khauna, Jharhi, Daha, Tel and Sondi rivers.

Ganga

➤ It originates from Gaumukh glacier which is located near the Gangotri Glacier (5,611 m), North of Kedarnath peak in Uttarakhand.
➤ This is the main river of Bihar which enters into the state near Chausa in Buxar and forms boundary between Bhojpur and Saran districts.
➤ Ganga river divides Bihar into two parts and enters into West Bengal.
➤ The total length of Ganga river is 2500 km. Out of this, it flows only 445 km in Bihar. It has 15,165 sq km drainage area in the state.
➤ This river is navigable all over the state, thus it provides a good source for trade and transport.
➤ Ganga has many tributaries. The rivers which join it from South are Karmanasa, Son, Punpun, Harohar, Kiul, Phalgu and Chandan rivers. The rivers which join it from North are Ghaghara, Gandak, Bagmati, Kamala Balan, Burhi Gandak, Kosi and Mahananda rivers.
➤ This river has the largest catchment area in Bihar.
➤ Mahatma Gandhi setu is a bridge constructed over this river connecting Patna in the South to Hajipur in the North.
➤ There are seven bridges on Ganga river in Bihar, which connects North Bihar to South Bihar. These are:
1. Mahatma Gandhi Setu (Road only)
2. Rajendra Setu (Road and Rail)
3. Jayprakash Setu (Road and Rail)
4. Vikramshila Setu (Road)
5. Sri Krishna Setu (Road and Rail)
6. Bakhtiyarpur-Tajpur Bridge (Road)
7. Aguani Ghat Bridge (Road)

Gandak

➤ It is the important river of North-Western Bihar. The river originates from Mustang glacier of Annapurna mountain (Nepal) which is located near Manangmot and Kutang.
➤ It is known as Kali in Nepal. It flows into different streams in Nepal. Then, the river enters the Indian Territory near Triveni town in Nepal.
➤ Thereafter, the river flows in a Southerly direction and forms boundary between Uttar Pradesh and Bihar and enters into Bihar from Valmikinagar near Someshwar range.
➤ The total length of Gandak is 425 km out of which it flows for only 260 km in Bihar.
➤ Important tributaries of Gandak are Rohua, Manaur, Bhabsa, Gangri or Gogri, Mahi, Dabra and Avsa rivers.
➤ It flows in the South-East direction over the North Ganga plains.
➤ Hajipur is located on the banks of this river. Valmikinagar Barrage is situated on Gandak river.
➤ It is also known as Triveni, Narayani, Kali Gandak. Triveni canal gets water from Gandak river.
➤ The river Gandak is also noted for changing course and creating flood havoc during rainy season. This river has also given rise to chaurs, marshy lands and lakes.

Kosi

➤ It originates from Mount Gosainthan which is located to the North-East of Kathmandu, capital of Nepal.
➤ The total length of this river is 730 km. Out of this, it flows for only 260 km in Bihar.
➤ It brings heavy silt and sediments with it after emerging from Himalayas and deposits this heavy load on its mouth, due to which it changes its course frequently. This river has very peculiar nature of shifting its course. Because of this nature of Kosi, the plain region of Northern Bihar is mostly affected by frequent floods. Thus, it is known as 'Sorrow of Bihar'.
➤ It is known as Saptakoshi in Nepal for its seven upper tributaries. Its important tributaries are Sun Kosi, Arun Kosi, Bagmati, Kamla Balan, Tamur Kosi, Fariani Dhar, Dhemana Dhar, Bhuthi Balan, etc.

Burhi Gandak

➤ It originates from Someshwar hills and flows parallel to river Gandak. It forms meanders in its course. It is known as Sikrahana in its upper reaches.
➤ The Burhi Gandak flows at the old course of the Gandak river, which was once shifted Westward from its present course, thus, it is known by this name.
➤ It has the same course as the Gandak river, from North West to South-East.
➤ It meets the Ganga near Khagaria. It is the fast flowing river of Bihar. The total length of this river in Bihar is 320 km.
➤ Its important tributaries are Harha, Kapan, Mason, Banaganga, Pandai, Maniyari, Karha, Kohaura, Urai, Telabe, Prasad and Tiur.
➤ It is important to note that this river system has a continuous chain of old and abandoned Channels, viz, Chatnaha, Kachnanala, Hardyanala, Balnanala, etc.
➤ In the areas covered by this river, there are several chaurs, marshy lands and water bodies.

Bagmati

➤ It originates from the Mahabharat range of Nepal Himalayas and enters into Bihar plains from Rasulpur village of Sitamarhi district.
➤ It is the holiest river of Nepal. Kathmanda and Pashupati temples are located on the banks of this river.
➤ Its total length is 394 km. It is the second longest river in Bihar state.
➤ Lalbakia, Lakhendei, Chankhala, Jamune, Sipri Dhar, Choti Bagmati, Kola, Bhurengi and Adhwara are its important tributaries.
➤ It is a dangerous river due to its changing course and it badly affects districts through which it passes.

Mahananda

➤ It originates from Mahaldiran hill in Darjeeling district of West Bengal. It is famous for changing its course.
➤ It is the Easternmost river of North Bihar plains, which flows in the South-West direction after emerging from Himalayas and forms the boundary between India (West Bengal) and Bangladesh.
➤ The total length of Mahananda river is 376 km.
➤ It enters Bihar in Kishanganj district. It meets the Ganga river near Manihari (Katihar district) and enters into Bangladesh.
➤ Its important tributaries are Mechi, Balason, Ratwa, Kanakai, Nagar, Dank, Pitanu, Changa, Burhi gangi, etc.

Kamla Balan

➤ It originates fromMahabharat range of hills in Nepal near Sindhuliagarhi. 'Jiwachh Kamla' was the old name of this river. It is the famous river and the second holiest river, after Ganga, in Mithila. In Mithila, it is also known as 'Kamla Mayi'.
➤ It enters Indian Territory in the district of Madhubani in Bihar near Jainagar town.
➤ The total length of the river Kamala is 328 km of which 208 km is in Nepal and the remaining 120 km is in Bihar.
➤ A barrage known as Kamla barrage has been constructed by the State Government near Jainagar.
➤ Its main tributaries are, Dhauri, Soni, Balan and Trisula.
➤ One stream joins Bagmati river at Badlaghat in Khagaria district while another stream joins the Kosi river at the boundary of Saharsa and Darbhanga districts.
➤ It is known for furious flood in the rainy season.

Rivers of Bihar and their Place of Origin

Rivers Total Length Length in Bihar Origin Place Place of Confluence / Month of River Ajay 288 202 Batpad (in Jamui district 5 km from Chakai) In Ganga river in West Bengal Bagmati 597 394 Mahabharata range of Himalayas (Nepal) In Kosi river (Badlaghat) Burhi Gandak Someshwar hills In Ganga river North of Munger Gandak 630 260 Annapurna, Managmot and Kutang (Nepal, Tibet, Middle Himalayas) In Ganga river in Hajipur at Sonepur Ganga 2510 445 Gangotri (Uttarakhand) In Bay of Bengal Kamala 328 120 In Kosi near Badlaghat (Khagaria) Karmanasa 192 376 Kaimur range In Ganga river North of Chausa Kosi 730 Mount Gosainthan In Ganga river near Kursela in Katihar district Mahananda 360 In Ganga river near Katihar. Phalgu 235 232 Northern part of Chota Nagpur Plateau In Ganga river near Surajgarha village Punpun 200 182 Chauraha hill (Palamu district) In Ganga near Fatuha in Patna Saryu (Ghaghara) 1080 83 Mapchachungo glacier near Taklakot In Ganga near Chhapra Son 780 Maikal range in Amarkantak hills (Madhya Pradesh). In Ganga near Patna

Major Cities situated on the bank of Rivers in Bihar

Cities Samastipur, Muzaffarpur Hajipur, Sonpur Bhagalpur, Patna, Barauni, Dighwara Gaya Chhapra