Mahanadi River : Origin, Basin, Tributaries & Important Facts

Mahanadi River: In a peninsular country like India, several rivers are flowing across regions to converge on the seas on the east and west, and the Mahanadi River is one of them. It travels through central and eastern India between its sources from Chhattisgarh to its endpoint in the Bay of Bengal.

In this article, we will look into the origin, basin, tributaries, and initiatives of the Mahanadi River in detail.

Let’s start.

Mahanadi River Overview

The table below highlights important facts about the Mahanadi River:

Basin Extent	Latitude: 19° 8’ to 23° 32’ N, Longitude: 80° 28’ to 86° 43’ E
Basin Boundary	Central India hills on the north, Eastern Ghats on the south and east, and Maikala range in the west
Length of Mahanadi River	851 kilometer
Catchment Area	141589 square kilometer
Average Water Resource Potential	66880 MCM
Utilizable Surface Water Resource	50000 MCM
States Flows Through	Chhattisgarh, Orissa, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra
End Point	Bay of Bengal
Ranking	It is the third largest river in peninsular India after Godavari and Krishna, and the largest river of Orissa state.

Mahanadi River Map

Mahanadi River

Origin of Mahanadi

Geographical experts have not been able to locate the Mahanadi River’s exact source because it combines many hilly streams of the Himalayan region, a common feature of many Indian rivers. It is found that the river’s remotest source is around 6 km south of Nagri Town in the district of Dhamtari, near Pharsiya Village in Chhattisgarh, which is 442 meters above sea level. This region is a part of the Eastern Ghats Mountain Ranges, which serve as the source for several other rivers that flow into the Mahanadi.

Mahanadi River Basin

The basin of Mahanadi covers a large area with different topographical features. We can divide the Mahanadi basin into four distinct parts as follows:

• The Northern Plateau
• The Eastern Ghats
• The Central Table Land
• The Coastal Plain

The first two areas comprise hilly regions; the third one is the middle region of the basin covered by the Mahanadi and its tributaries. The fourth part is the delta area before reaching the Bay of Bengal. During its course, the Mahanadi River passes through different states in India’s eastern and central regions. The table below shows the data on water drainage for each state as contributed by the Mahanadi River.

States	Drainage Area (square km)
Madhya Pradesh	75136
Orissa	65580
Bihar	635
Maharashtra	238
Total	141589

Mahanadi River Tributaries

Mahanadi River has seven tributaries that join at both left and right bank of the river at different places. We will discuss these rivers in detail.

Tributaries on the Left Side

• Seonath: It originates from a hilly region near Kotagal at an elevation of 533 meters above sea level and travels 383 km to join Mahanadi near Khargand.
• Hasdeo: It rises about 915 meters near Sonhat in Chhattisgarh and merges with the Mahanadi River at Mahuadih after flowing 333 km.
• Mand: Begins its journey near Sarguja at a height of 686 meters and meets the Mahanadi near Chandrapur after completing 241 km.
• Ib: It is located in the hills of the Raigarh district at 762 meters above sea level and travels 251 km.

Tributaries on the Right Side

• Ong: It originates in the hills of Gandhamardan ranges at an elevation of 457 meters
• Tel: It sources from the plains of Koraput in Orissa and meets Mahanadi after travelling 296 km.
• Jonk: The source of this river is at the Sonbeda plateau in the Nuapada district of Orissa, which flows 182 km before joining the Mahanadi River.

Urban Centers and Industries Around Mahanadi River

• The regions around the Mahanadi River have plentiful natural resources and an abundant power supply, contributing to its favourable industrial climate.
• Situated on the Mahanadi River basin, Raipur, Durg, and Cuttack are three well-known cities contributing effectively to industrial development.
• Sugar and textile production are the two major industries developed around the Mahanadi River based on agricultural products.
• Mining of coal and minerals like iron and manganese are other critical industrial operations in this region.
• Iron and steel, cement, and paper mills are prominent industries in this region.
• The Paradip Harbour is a famous deep-water natural harbour located on the east coast of India where the Mahanadi River and the Bay of Bengal converge.
• The industrial scenario around the Mahanadi region is encouraging, with some significant industries based on natural resources and infrastructure facilities.

Mahanadi River: The Important Facts

• The Mahanadi basin spreads over Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Orissa.
• The Maikala range surrounds it to the west, the Eastern Ghats to the east and south, and the Central India hills to the north.
• Its source is in the Raipur District of Chhattisgarh, in the northern foothills of Dandakaranya.
• One of the main peninsular rivers, the Mahanadi remains the second largest river after Godavari regarding water potential and capacity to cause flooding.
• Agricultural land covers the central surface area of the Mahanadi basin (54.27%)

Large-Scale Initiatives on the Mahanadi River

• Hirakud Dam: It is one of the largest dams in India and is intended to produce hydroelectric power in the region.
• Ravishankar Sagar: This multi-purpose project operates from Durg, Chhattisgarh and focuses on various outcomes.
• Dudhawa Reservoir: This famous reservoir is located in Raigarh, Chhattisgarh. It sores and supplies water for irrigation purposes in the region.
• Sondur Reservoir: It is built in Raipur, Chhattisgarh, to streamline water supply to nearby villages.
• Hasdeo Bango: It is an essential project in Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh and aims to provide water supplies in adjoining regions.
• Tandula Project: Located in Balod, Chhattisgarh, this project aims to facilitate the irrigation process.

Conclusion on Mahanadi River

The Mahanadi River contributes much of the resources and facilitates industrial development from east-central India to the east coast. The water potential of Mahanadi makes it the second largest in India after Godavari. Considered as the lifeline of east-central India, the Mahanadi River justifies its name given as the ‘Great (maha) River (nadi)

People Also View:

• List of River System in India
• Top 10 Longest River in India
• Peninsular River System

FAQs on Mahanadi River

What types of soils are found in the Mahanadi River basin?

Black and sandy soils are mainly found in the Mahanadi basin in Chhattisgarh, whereas in Orissa, the soil in the Mahanadi River basin is predominantly red and yellow.

What famous lake gets inflow from the Mahanadi River?

Chilka Lake in Orissa gets over 60% of its inland flow from the Mahanadi River. It is a famous wetland site and a favourite visiting place for migratory birds.

Does the Mahanadi River pose a danger of floods?

The delta region of the Mahanadi River needs more water-carrying capacity. So, these areas are prone to experience flooding during heavy monsoons.

What is the main livelihood of people living near the Mahanadi River basin?

Most portions of the Mahanadi River basin are covered by agricultural land and forests. So, the people living in the Mahanadi River basin’s interior depend on forest and agriculture for their livelihood.

The Mahanadi River in Orissa takes a specific shape. What is that shape?

The specific shape of the course of the Mahanadi River in Orissa is geographically termed the ‘Horseshoe’ shape.