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Rivers in Bihar, List of Rivers in Bihar, Importance

Rivers in Bihar have been discussed here in this article which is an important part of India. Get details of Rivers in Bihar, a complete list, and their importance.
authorImagePriyanka Gupta8 Jul, 2024
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Rivers in Bihar

Rivers in Bihar: Since Bihar's economy is entirely dependent on agriculture, the Rivers in Bihar are vital to the state's structure. This state is blessed with a large number of seasonal and permanent river locations. These are the state's surface water sources and there is water in certain alluvial state tracts in the north and south all year round.

The state is split between two uneven sections by the Ganga River. Additionally, the Rivers of Bihar are separated into two groups based on where they are located: the South and North Bihar Rivers. Get important details about the two plains, the Northern and Southern Plains, as shown by the Bihar River Map, as well as the state's principal rivers.

Paintings of Bihar

Rivers in Bihar

Rivers in Bihar: Bihar is known as the “Land of Rivers,” and has a thriving agricultural economy that is entwined with its rivers' vitality. The powerful Ganga splits the state's topography into the Northern and Southern Plains regions. Here in this article, get details of the Rivers in Bihar, their features, and the crucial role they play in determining the direction of the state's economy.

Bihar MLA List

These topographical characteristics are crucial in the formation of Bihar's extensive river system. Despite being landlocked, Bihar stands out for its abundance of water resources. The state's tremendous natural resources are attributed to its astonishing diversity of surface and waters.

List of Rivers in Bihar

The List of Rivers in Bihar has been mentioned in the table given below. These Bihar Rivers are also a good source of water for different industries, drinking, irrigation, and hydroelectricity generation. Thus, despite being a completely landlocked state, Bihar has access to clean water.
List of Rivers in Bihar
List of Rivers Origin Total Length
Ghaghra Tibet 1116
Kosi Tibet 260 (Bihar)
Son Amarkantak, MP 784
Gandak Tibet 260 (Bihar)
Bagmati Nepal 589
Mahananda Darjeeling 376
Burhi Gandak Chanpatia 320
Kamla Nepal 328
Ganga Stem Gangotri, Uttarakhand 445 (Bihar)
Harohar Jharkhand 53
Punpun Palamau, Jharkhand 235
Karamnasa Kaimur 192
Chandan Deoghar 118
Kiul Khajuri, Jharkhand 181
Badua Chakia Plateau 130

Northern Rivers in Bihar

The details of the Northern Rivers in Bihar have been mentioned below for the candidates preparing for the competitive examinations.
  • The Bihar River Map shows that the Ganga divides the plains of Bihar into two portions.
  • The North Plains of Bihar are the name given to the alluvial plain located north of the Ganga River.
  • There are several rivers in this area; they are known in Bihar as the Northern Rivers.
  • These plains have abundant water resources due to the presence of both seasonal and perennial rivers.
  • Important rivers in this area that drain into the Ganga are the Burhi Gandak, Gnadak, Mahananda, Kosi, and Ghaghra, among others.
  • Some rivers, including the Kamla-Balan and the Bagmati-Adhwara, flow into the River Ganga after first converging into the Kosi River.

Tourism In Bihar

Southern Rivers in Bihar

The details of the Southern Rivers in Bihar have been mentioned below for the candidates who are preparing for the government examinations.
  • The plains of southern Bihar are made up of many tracts that are enhanced by rivers that flow into the Ganga, including the Kiul, Sone, Badua Chandan, and Karmnasa.
  • The rivers that originate in the southern plains of Bihar are mostly found in the Vindhyachal Hills, Chhotanagpur Hills, or Rajmahal Hills.
  • Obstacles resembling leaves impede the land drainage along the Ganga River's southern bank.
  • The distinctive river routes have resulted in distinct land formations, referred to as 'Tal' or low-lying zones, that notably define the southern plains.

Important Rivers in Bihar

The important Rivers in Bihar have been mentioned below which include Ganga River, Gandak, Kosi, Mahananda, Son, Punpun, Phalgun, Karmanasa, etc.

Ganga River

All of the rivers in the state of Bihar drain into the Ganga, which passes through the state. It reaches Bihar in the Buxar region after rising from the Gangotri glacier in Uttarakhand, which is roughly 5611 meters above sea level. 90% of the water in Bihar is drawn into the Bay of Bengal by the Ganga, which flows 445 kilometers through the state. Bihar's water overflowing into the Ganga results in floods close to the banks on both sides. Because the Ganga is navigable through all of Bihar, it serves as an appropriate means of transportation.

Ghagraha River

The Nampa region of Nepal is where the Ghaghara River originates. It passes through Saran, Bihar Siwan, Uttar Pradesh, and Chhapra, Bihar, before entering the Ganga. This river is also referred to as Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh. While this river causes flooding in Uttar Pradesh, it does not in Bihar.

Gandak

This is one of the most important rivers in Bihar. It originates in the central Himalayas of Nepal, also referred to as Narayani. It eventually meets the Ganga at Pahleja Ghat near Patna, having previously passed through Valmiki Nagar in Bihar, West and East Champaran, Gopalganj, Muzaffarpur, Saran, and Vaishali.

Kosi

The longest north-bank tributary of the Ganga is the 120-km-long Kosi River in Bihar. The river's several channels originate in the Tibetan area. and cross the Mahabharat Himalayan highlands of Nepal. The three main tributaries are the Tamur, Arun, and Sun Kosi rivers. The River System is further influenced by the Sun Kosi River's tributaries, the Dudh Kosi, Likhukhola, Tama Kosi, Bhote Kosi, and Indravati.

Mahananda

After rising in the Mahabharat mountains of Nepal, the Mahananda River passes through Purnea and Kishanganj, Bihar, before joining the Ganga in the Katihar region. For the districts of Kishanganj, Purnia, and Katihar that comprise its basin, this is an important supply of irrigation water. Within its river basin, large-scale crops like wheat, rice, and jute are cultivated.

Rivers in Bihar FAQs

Q1. How many rivers flow in the state of Bihar?

Ans. Being a country with many rivers, the states of the country has many rivers too. While talking about the state of Bihar, a total of twenty-one rivers flow in that state.

Q2. Which is the most important river in Bihar?

Ans. The most important river in the state of Bihar is River Ganga. That is also the most important river in India.

Q3. Which river is the longest river in Bihar?

Ans. The longest-running river in Bihar is the river Ganga, with the longest stretch at Patna at 99 kilometers.

Q4. Which river causes most of the floods in Bihar?

Ans. River Kosi, also known as the “Sorrow of Bihar,” causes most of the floods in Bihar.

Q5. Which soil does the state of Bihar have?

Ans. The state of Bihar has Terai Soil. Also, it has alluvial soil on its river banks.
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