Krishna River, Its Features and Origin

The Krishna River is India’s fourth-largest river system in terms of water reservoir capacity. It originates in the Western Ghats and flows through seven Indian states before finally emptying into the Bay of Bengal. It is the third-largest Indian river in terms of discharge. The river basin has an area of 1,450,000 square kilometres and is also known as the ‘Krishnaveni’. In addition to this, the river has a length of 2,919 kilometres and is the second-longest Indian river after the Brahmaputra.  

The Different Names of The Krishna River 

The Krishna river is also known as Koppera or Kaveri by Sanskrit scholars, and it has numerous other names in different regions. For example, in Andhra Pradesh, it is known as Chenput or Channapatty, Chitravati in Maharashtra and Kaveri in Tamil Nadu.

With the help of the Krishna river map, you could easily trace its flow and learn about its tributaries. It has two main tributaries – the Narbada and the Putiya. The main stem of the Krishna River has two main branches – the southwest and the southeast. The southwest branch has two tributaries called the Purna and the Gandak. 

The southeast branch has two tributaries called the Alakananda and the Kestrel. The southwest branch of the Krishna river has its starting point in Rajasthan. It flows through Maharashtra, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and West Bengal before finally emptying in the Bay of Bengal. It has an average discharge of 27107 cubic metres per second (cumec) at its mouth.

Krishna River Basin

The Krishna river basin is an alluvial plain that lies on the eastern coast of India. It is a major river system with a catchment area of 2,58,948 square kilometres. The Krishna flows through Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Lakshadweep before discharging into the Bay of Bengal.  

The Krishna basin is also home to many small and medium-sized rivers and seasonal watercourses. The gross water storage capacity of the Krishna river basin is 987.8 billion cubic metres.

Origin of Krishna River

As mentioned earlier, the Krishna river originates from the Western Ghats and flows through the country’s length. The Krishna river basin lies on the eastern coast of India and is therefore highly prone to floods. 

The river often overflows its banks during the rainy season and floods the surrounding regions. There is a myth that the river’s name, Krishna, is derived from the words ko ‘black’ and Putra ‘son of,’ which means ‘the son of the black water’. However, there is no scientific basis for this myth.

Features of the Krishna River 

Here are some features of the Krishna river and its basin: 

• The Krishna river basin is a highly fertile one. 
• It has suitable climatic conditions for cultivating a wide range of high-value crops. 
• The river basin is also a vast water resource for the nearby population. 
• Almost all of south India lies in the monsoon region, and hence, Krishna plays a vital role in the irrigation of the region during the monsoon season. 
• Unfortunately, the Krishna river basin is prone to floods and stormy seasons. 
• In 2014, the floods in the region had caused extensive damage, especially in Andhra Pradesh.

Importance of Krishna River

The Krishna river basin is home to many small and medium-sized rivers and seasonal watercourses. The gross water storage capacity of the Krishna river basin is 987.8 billion cubic metres.

The Krishna river basin is one of the most agricultural-dependent regions in India. While the Krishna basin accounts for only 0.7% of India’s total area, this river basin is also known for its biodiversity. 

The Krishna delta is home to several endangered species of plants and animals, such as the Indian crocodile and Indus river dolphin. The river is also an important water source for the people living in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. 

The river is also a lifeline for the cities of Guntur, Vijayawada and Bellary in Andhra Pradesh. Unfortunately, the Krishna river is one of the most polluted rivers in India. The pollution has increased in recent years, which has caused severe health issues for the people living in the basin.

Conclusion

The Krishna river has a lot of significance for the people in the basin. It is the second-longest river in India and the seventh biggest river basin in water reservoir capacity. The Krishna river basin is home to around 400 million people and is an agricultural-dependent region. 

The river is polluted, and its water quality is a cause of concern for the people living in the basin. If we want to protect the river and its people, we need to work long-term to address its challenges.