Important Rivers of Odisha | River System of Odisha – Odisha GK

There are twelve major rivers flowing in the State, of which the Mahanadi is the longest and the Bahuda is the shortest. The rivers of Odisha are mainly rainfed.

Mahanadi River

Aspect	Information
Location	Eastern India
Length	851 KM (494 KM in Odisha)
Origin	Nagri-Sihawa, Dhamtari, Dandakaranya, Chhattisgarh, India
Major Tributaries	Seonath, Mand, Ib, Hasdeo, Kelo, Ong, Parry, Jonk, Telen
States Flowed Through	Chhattisgarh, Odisha
Flowed Through Districts in Odisha	Sambalpur, Bargarh, Subarnapur, Boudh, Anugul, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Nayagarh, Jharsuguda
Cities on the Bank of Mahanadi	Sambalpur, Cuttack, Sonepur, Kantilo, Boudh, Banki, Paradeep
Water Utilization	Irrigation, industrial use, domestic water supply
Hirakud Dam	Located at Sambalpur; forms a 35-mile (55 km) long man-made lake; has several hydroelectric generators
Outfall	Into the Bay of Bengal
Ranking	Third largest river system in peninsular India after Godavari and Krishna. Largest river in Odisha state.
Issues	Controversies over water sharing between Chhattisgarh and Odisha

Brahmani River

Attribute	Description
Origin	Confluence of the Sankh and the Koel rivers at Vedavyasa near Rourkela in Sundargarh district of Odisha
Total Length	799 KM (336 KM in Odisha)
Outfall	Bay of Bengal at Dhamra
Flowed Through Districts in Odisha	Sundargarh, Deogarh, Angul, Dhenkanal, Cuttack, Jajapur, Kendrapara
Important Tributaries	Sankha, Chandrinalla, Katangamunda nalla, Rukura, Badjore, Kaunish nalla, Kalanalla, Usthalinalla, Chudakhainallah, Gohira, Chilanti river, Tikira, Singadajore, Bangaru river, Nandiranalla, Nigra river, Bangusingha nalla, Barha, Daunri, Kumaria, Kelua river, Birupa, Hansua, Kharsuan, Patasala, Koel, Suidihi, Champalijore, Kuradihi, Amrudi, Korapani, Mankada, Ambahari, Samakoi, Gambhiria, Raijore, Indrajeet, Ramiala, Pandra, Kharasuan, Daudi

Baitarani River

Attribute	Description
Origin	Gonasika in the Guptaganga hills of Keonjhar district
Total Length	360 Km
Outfall	Bay of Bengal
Flowed Through Districts in Odisha	Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj,  Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Cuttack
Important Tributaries	Kangira, Ardei, Khairi Bhandan, Deo, Kanjhari, Sita, Musal, Remal, Kusei, Salandi river

• The beginning portion of Baitarani acts as the boundary between Orissa and Jharkhand.
• The Salandi River originates from the Meghasani hills of the Similipal in Mayurbhanj district. It flows a distance of 144 Km before it finally empties into the Bay of Bengal.

Subarnarekha River

Attribute	Description
Origin	Near Nagri village of the Chhotnagpur plateau of Jharkhand
Total Length	446.12 Km (79 Km in Odisha)
Outfall	Bay of Bengal
Flowed Through Districts in Odisha	Balasore
Prominent Tributaries	Raru river, Kanchi river, Damra river, Karru river, Kharkhai river, Chinguru river, Karakari river, Gurma river, Garra river, Singaduba river, Kodia river, Dulunga river, Khaijori river

Budhabalanga River

Attribute	Description
Origin	Similipal range of hills in Mayurbhanj district
Total Length	198.75 Km
Outfall	Bay of Bengal
Flowed Through Districts in Odisha	Mayurbhanj
Prominent Tributaries	Palapala, Sunei, Kalo, Sanjo, Deo, Gangahari, Katra

Jambhira River

Attribute	Description
Origin	Chandra Reserve forest in Mayurbhanj district
Total Length	90 Km
Outfall	Bay of Bengal
Flowed Through Districts in Odisha	Mayurbhanj
Prominent Tributaries	Mahanti, Gulfa, Surudi, Murli, Saan, Bans, Hansakara

Rushikulya River

Attribute	Description
Origin	Rushyamala hills of the Eastern Ghats in Kandhamal district
Total Length	Not specified
Outfall	Bay of Bengal near Chatrapur
Flowed Through Districts in Odisha	Kandhamal, Ganjam
Prominent Tributaries	Padma, Boringanalla, Joro, Badanadi, Baghua, Dhanei, Ghodhado

Bahuda River

Attribute	Description
Origin	Near village Luba from the Singharaj hills of the Eastern Ghats in Gajapati district
Total Length	96 Km
Outfall	Bay of Bengal near Sunapurapeta village, Odisha
Flowed Through Districts in Odisha	Gajapati
Prominent Tributaries	Poichandia, Bogiriadi, Batrada Nalla, Kantajura Nalla

Vansadhara River

Attribute	Description
Origin	Flanks of the Durgakangar hills (Lingaraj hills) of the Eastern Ghats in Kalahandi district
Total Length	239 Km
Outfall	Bay of Bengal in Andhra Pradesh
Flowed Through Districts in Odisha	Kalahandi
Prominent Tributaries	Bhangi, Pedagoda (right side) and Badanalla, Chauladhua, Pandaka Nalla, Badajhar, Harbhangi, Sananadi, Mahendratanaya (left side)

Nagavali River

Attribute	Description
Origin	Bijipur hills of the Eastern Ghats near village Lakhabahal in Kalahandi district
Total Length	217 Km (125 Km in Odisha)
Outfall	Andhra Pradesh
Flowed Through Districts in Odisha	Kalahandi
Prominent Tributaries	Pitadar Nalla, Datteibannda Nalla, Sana-nadi, Barha-nadi, Baldiya-nadi, Sat Nalla, Sitagura Nalla, Ghora Nalla, Sitaghera Nalla, Srikona-nadi, Bonamarha-nadi, Errigeda Nalla, Jhanjhabati river

Indravati River

Attribute	Description
Origin	Eastern Ghats of Dandakaranya range in Kalahandi district
Total Length	Not specified
Outfall	Joins river Godavari at the border of Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, and Andhra Pradesh
Flowed Through Districts in Odisha	Kalahandi
Major Tributaries	Keshadhara Nalla, Kandabindha Nalla, Chandragiri Nalla, Golagar Nalla, Poragarh Nalla

Kolab River

Attribute	Description
Origin	Sinkaran hills of the Eastern Ghats in Koraput district
Total Length	Not specified
Outfall	Meets the Godavari in Andhra Pradesh
Flowed Through Districts in Odisha	Koraput
Prominent Tributaries	Karandi Nalla, Guradi Nalla, Kangar Nalla, Garia, Dharmageda Nalla, Jam Nadi, Malengar river, Mulervagu Nalla, Potteru Vagu Nalla, Machhakund river, Sileru river