The Peninsular Drainage System

The Peninsular Drainage System

The Peninsular drainage system is older than the Himalayan one. This is evident from the broad, largely graded shallow valleys and the maturity of the rivers. The Western Ghats running close to the western coast act as the water divide between the major Peninsular rivers, discharging their water in the Bay of Bengal, and as small rivulets joining the Arabian Sea.

Most of the major Peninsular rivers, except Narmada and Tapi, flow from west to east. The Chambal, the Sind, the Betwa, the Yamuna, the Son, originating in the northern part of the Peninsula, belong to the Ganga river system.

The other major river systems of the Peninsular drainage are the Mahanadi, the Godavari, the Krishna, and the Kaveri.

Peninsular rivers are characterised by fixed course, absence of meanders, and non-perennial flow of water. The Narmada and the Tapi, which flow through the rift valley, are, however, exceptions.

River Systems of the Peninsular Drainage

1. Mahanadi River

• The Mahanadi rises near Sihawa in Raipur district of Chhattisgarh and runs through Odisha to discharge its water into the Bay of Bengal. It is 851 km long and its catchment area spreads over 1.42 lakh sq. km.

• Some navigation is carried on in the lower course of this river.

• 53% of the drainage basin lies in Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, and 47% in Odisha.

2. Godavari River

• The Godavari is the largest Peninsular river system. It is also called the Dakshin Ganga.

• It rises in the Nasik district of Maharashtra and discharges its water into the Bay of Bengal.

• It flows through Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, and Andhra Pradesh.

• It is 1,465 km long with a catchment area of 3.13 lakh sq. km.

  • 49% lies in Maharashtra

  • 20% in Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh

• Remainder in Andhra Pradesh

• Its principal tributaries are: Penganga, Indravati, Pranhita, and Manjra.

3. Krishna River

The Krishna is the second-largest east-flowing Peninsular river, originating near Mahabaleshwar in the Sahyadri.

• Total length: 1,401 km

• Major tributaries: Koyna, Tungabhadra, Bhima

• Catchment area:

  • 27% in Maharashtra

  • 44% in Karnataka

  • 29% in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana

4. Kaveri River

The Kaveri rises in the Brahmagiri hills (1,341m) of Kogadu district, Karnataka.

• Length: 800 km

• Drainage area: 81,155 sq. km

  • 3% in Kerala

  • 41% in Karnataka

  • 56% in Tamil Nadu

• Important tributaries: Kabini, Bhavani, Amravati

West-Flowing Rivers of the Peninsular Drainage

1. Narmada River

Originates on the western flank of the Amarkantak plateau (1,057 m).

• Flows through a rift valley between the Satpura and Vindhyan ranges.

• Form marble gorge and Dhuandhar waterfall near Jabalpur.

  • Length: 1,312 km

  • Meets the Arabian Sea south of Bharuch

  • Forms 27 km long estuary

  • Catchment area: 98,796 sq. km

  • The Sardar Sarovar Project is on this river.

2. Tapi River

Originates from Multai in Betul district, Madhya Pradesh.

• Length: 724 km

• Catchment area: 65,145 sq. km

  • 79% in Maharashtra

  • 15% in Madhya Pradesh

  • 6% in Gujarat

Luni River System (Rajasthan)

Luni is the largest river system of Rajasthan (west of the Aravali).

• Originates near Pushkar in two branches: Saraswati and Sabarmati.

• They meet at Govindgarh, forming the Luni River.

• It flows west till Telwara, then southwest to the Rann of Kuchchh.

• The entire system is ephemeral.

Smaller Rivers Flowing Towards the West

• Shetruniji: Rises near Dalkahwa, Amreli district

• Bhadra: Originates near Aniali, Rajkot district

• Dhadhar: Rises near Ghantar, Panchmahal district

• Sabarmati and Mahi: Major rivers of Gujarat

• Vaitarna: Rises from Trimbak hills, Nasik (670 m)

• Kalinadi: Originates in Belgaum, falls into Karwar Bay

• Bedti: Source in Hubli-Dharwar, length: 161 km

• Sharavati: Originates in Shimoga, catchment area: 2,209 sq. km

• Mandovi and Juari: Important rivers of Goa

• Bharathapuzha (Ponnani): Longest in Kerala, rises near Annamalai hills, drainage: 5,397 sq. km.

• Periyar: The  Second largest in Kerala, catchment area: 5,243 sq. km

• Pamba: Falls into Vembanad lake, length: 177 km

Small Rivers Flowing Towards the East

Several small rivers flow into the Bay of Bengal.

Important among them are:

• Subamrekha

• Baitami

• Brahmani

• Vamsadhara

• Penner

• Palar and Vaigai

[Source: 'India: Physical Environment' (NCERT-Class XII)]

Water Resources and Their Utilization in India

• India has 4% of the world’s water resources

• Supports 16% of the world population and 15% of livestock

• Annual precipitation: 3,880 Billion Cubic meters (BCM)

• Available water after evaporation: 1,999.20 BCM

• Usable water: 1,122 BCM

  • Surface water: 690 BCM

  • Groundwater: 432 BCM

• Current water utilization: 699 BCM

  • Surface: 450 BCM

  • Groundwater: 249 BCM

• Future demand (high scenario):

  • 2025: 843 BCM

  • 2050: 1,180 BCM

[Source: India 2021]

Water Resources of India

Water resources are divided into:

1. Surface Water Resources

2. Underground Water Resources

Sources of Irrigation in India

(a) Wells & Tube wells – 55.9% of total irrigation

(b) Canals – 31.4% of total irrigation

Multipurpose River Valley Projects

Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project (KLIP)

• The Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project (KLIP) is the largest multi-stage lift irrigation project in the world.

• Inaugurated by Telangana CM Chandrashekhar Rao on 21st June,2019 at Bhoopalpally, Kaleshwaram, Telangana.

Final Thoughts

India’s drainage system is a remarkable blend of geological history, geographical diversity, and regional hydrology. From the mighty Himalayan rivers to the older Peninsular rivers, each system plays a crucial role in shaping the subcontinent’s landscape, agriculture, and water management.

The strategic development of multipurpose river valley projects has transformed rivers from natural forces into vital assets for irrigation, electricity, and flood control.

However, with increasing water demand and limited usable resources, sustainable management of both surface and groundwater is essential. Understanding these systems is not only key to appreciating India’s physical geography but also to planning for a secure and water-efficient future.