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Bihar is a completely agriculture-based state, and here the rivers play an important role in making the economy of the state. This state is endowed with many places with many seasonal and perennial rivers. These form the source of surface water in this state. Some northern and southern alluvial state tracts have water throughout the seasons. Here the river Ganga divides the state into two unequal divisions. Also, the Bihar Rivers are divided into two categories as per the place they are situated, i.e., Rivers of South and North Bihar. Read on to get significant information about the major rivers in Bihar and the two plains, i.e., Northern and Southern Plains, as per the Bihar River Map. In the list of major rivers in India, here we will talk about the major rivers in Bihar.
NORTHERN BIHAR RIVERS
As mentioned above, the river Ganga divides the plains of Bihar into two parts as per the Bihar River Map. So, the one north of the Ganga River, which is alluvial plains, is known as the North Plains of Bihar. And the rivers in this part of the plains are called the Northern Rivers of Bihar. These plains are endowed with both seasonal and perennial rivers. Some of the important Bihar Rivers here which fall into river Ganga are Burhi Gandak, Gnadak, Mahananda, Kosi, and Ghaghra. Others like Kamla-Balan, and Bagmati-Adhwara first fall in the river Kosi and then through it to River Ganga.
Characteristics of Northern Bihar Rivers
These rivers have an origin in the Himalayas. And because of this, these rivers are in between Tibet and Nepal.
In the monsoon season, these northern rivers receive 80 times larger precipitation than normal weather.
In the shifting course process, these northern rivers form Ox-bow lakes (Chairs).
These rivers have steep slopes and high siltation in their upper parts and making them disastrous.
SOUTHERN BIHAR RIVERS
According to the Bihar river map, the southern plains of Bihar are endowed with tracts drained by rivers like Kiul, Sone, Badua Chandan, and Karmnasa, which fall in the river Ganga.
Characteristics of Southern Bihar Rivers
These rivers originate in Vindhyachal hills or from Chhotanagpur or Rajmahal Hills.
The southern bank of River Ganga is an obstacle to the land drainage in the form of leaves.
Also, the southern plains are marked by land formations called Tal (Low-lying areas) due to the various rivers course.
MAJOR RIVERS IN BIHAR
River Ganga
This river enters the state of Bihar through Chausa and has also formed the border of Saran and Bhojpur District.
It divides the state into two unequal parts. And also, this river has its origin in the Western Range of the Himalayas.
This river, with its tributaries, forms the perpetual source of water for the agricultural region of Bihar.
Major Tributaries- Kosi, Kali, Bagmati, and Gandak
Left Tributaries- Ghaghra, Damodar, Kosi, Mahakali, and Karnali
Right Tributaries- Chambal, Mahananda, Son, and Yamuna
A bridge connecting North Bihar to the south was built and is known as Mahatma Gandhi Setu. (A part of NH 19)
River Gandak
River Gandak originates from North Dhaulagiri, Tibet, and enters the territory of India through Triveni, Nepal.
It forms the borderline between Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.
River Gandak joins the Ganga River at Sonepur near Patna.
Left Tributaries- Harha and Bhabha
Right Tributaries- Kakra
River Ghaghara
This river is a transboundary Perennial River that originates from Tibet around the Mansarovar lake.
River Ghaghara joins the River Ganga at Chhapra, and also the river enters the state of Bihar at the place called Gopalganj.
It is one of the left tributaries of River Ganga and also its second-largest tributary river after River Yamuna.
Irrigation Projects on River Ghaghra- SaryuNahar Irrigation Project and SardaShayak Irrigation Scheme.
River Ghaghara is a sacred river for both the Buddhists and Hindus community.
River Koshi
Koshi River is known as the “Sorrow of Bihar” because of its destructive nature. It has a total of seven tributaries, so it is also called “Saptakoshi.”
It enters the territory of India around Hanuman Nagar, Nepal. Also, the Koshi River joins the River Ganga in Katihar District near Kurla.
Mount Everest, the highest peak in the world, and also the Kanchenjunga are catchments of River Kosi.
Left Tributaries- Dhemamadhar and Farianidhar
Right Tributaries- Trijuga, Bagmati, Bhutahi Balan, and KamlaBalan
River PunPun
This river originates from the Chota Nagpur plateau belt at Hazaribagh, and it joins the Ganga River in the place called Fatuha.
It is a rainfed river and is a seasonal river with less water in the dry season.
River Punpun is mentioned in the Padma Puranas, and Vayu is connected to Gaya Mahatmya.
The name “Pun-pun” is the conversational form of Punch-Punch.
CONCLUSION
Bihar is a state whose economy is majorly based on agriculture. So, in a place like these, rivers play a very important role. The catchment area around the river banks has alluvial deposits, which are very good for agriculture. Also, these Bihar Rivers are a good source of water for irrigation, drinking purposes, generating hydroelectricity, and other industries. So, although being an entirely landlocked state, Bihar has a good source of water.
