Major Rivers of Odisha: Longest & Largest Rivers with Map

Odisha is a coastal state in eastern India with a coastline of around 480 kilometers along the Bay of Bengal. It covers an area of approximately 155,707 square kilometers and shares borders with West Bengal, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, and Andhra Pradesh.

The state is drained by several important rivers, mainly originating from the Eastern Ghats and the Chhota Nagpur Plateau, flowing eastward into the Bay of Bengal. Some important rivers of Odisha are the Mahanadi, Brahmani, Baitarani, Subarnarekha, and Rushikulya.

Longest and Second Longest River in Odisha

Mahanadi is the longest and largest river in Odisha. It enters the state from Chhattisgarh and flows over 850 kilometers within Odisha. It has the largest drainage basin in the state, covering around 141,464 square kilometers.

Brahmani is the second longest river in Odisha, with a length of about 799 kilometers. It is formed by the confluence of the Sankh and South Koel rivers and flows into the Bay of Bengal through the Dhamra estuary.

List of Major Rivers of Odisha

1. Mahanadi River

• Origin: Sihawa, Dhamtari district, Chhattisgarh
• Length: Approx. 851 km (over 500 km in Odisha)
• Drainage Basin Area: Around 141,600 sq. km
• Confluence: Bay of Bengal near Paradeep
• Note: Largest river of Odisha by volume and basin coverage

👉 Get the full guide on the Mahanadi River – Odisha’s largest river by basin here.

2. Brahmani River

• Origin: Confluence of South Koel and Sankh Rivers in Odisha
• Length: Approx. 799 km
• Drainage Basin Area: Nearly 39,000 sq. km
• Confluence: Bay of Bengal near Dhamra

👉 Learn more in our detailed article on the Brahmani River with Map.

3. Baitarani River

• Origin: Gonasika Hills, Kendujhar district
• Length: Approx. 360 km
• Drainage Basin Area: About 12,790 sq. km
• Confluence: Bay of Bengal through Brahmani-Baitarani delta

👉 Read more about the Baitarani River – important river in Odisha’s northern region.

4. Subarnarekha River

• Origin: Ranchi Plateau, Jharkhand
• Length: Approx. 395 km (about 70 km in Odisha)
• Drainage Basin Area: Approx. 19,500 sq. km
• Confluence: Bay of Bengal near Chandipur

👉 Learn more in our detailed article on the Subarnarekha River in Odisha.

5. Rushikulya River

• Origin: Daringbadi hills, Kandhamal district
• Length: Around 165 km
• Drainage Basin Area: Around 8,300 sq. km
• Confluence: Bay of Bengal near Puruna Bandha

6. Vamsadhara River

• Origin: Kalahandi district, Odisha
• Length: Approx. 254 km (approx. 150 km in Odisha)
• Drainage Basin Area: Nearly 10,830 sq. km
• Confluence: Bay of Bengal near Kalingapatnam

👉 Learn more in our detailed article on the Vamsadhara River in Odisha.

7. Nagavali River

• Origin: Eastern Ghats near Lakhbahal, Odisha
• Length: Approx. 256 km
• Drainage Basin Area: About 9,510 sq. km
• Confluence: Bay of Bengal near Kallepalli

8. Indravati River

• Origin: Dandakaranya range, Chhattisgarh
• Length: Approx. 535 km (some stretch in Odisha)
• Confluence: Godavari River in Andhra Pradesh
• Note: One of the important tributaries of the Godavari

👉 Learn more in our detailed article on the Indravati River – a major tributary of Godavari here.

9. Tel River

• Origin: Nabarangpur district, Odisha
• Length: Approx. 296 km
• Drainage Basin Area: About 22,000 sq. km
• Confluence: Mahanadi River near Sonepur

👉 Explore the full guide on the Tel River in Odisha here.

Odisha River Map

Important Dams in Odisha

Here’s the list of important dams in Odisha with their corresponding rivers:

• Hirakud Dam – Mahanadi River
• Balimela Dam – Sileru River
• Upper Kolab Dam – Kolab River
• Rengali Dam – Brahmani River
• Jhamarkotra Dam – Indravati River
• Mandira Dam – Brahmani River
• Vansadhara Dam – Vansadhara River
• Upper Indravati Dam – Indravati River
• Chipilima Dam – Mahanadi River
• Samal Barrage – Brahmani River

Tributaries of Major Rivers in Odisha

• Mahanadi River: Seonath, Jonk, Hasdeo, Mand, Ong
• Brahmani River: Sankh, South Koel, Kharkai, Karo
• Baitarani River: Salandi, Kusei, Balijori
• Subarnarekha River: Karkari, Kharkai
• Rushikulya River: Langulya, Gumuda, Dhanei
• Vamsadhara River: Machhkund, Sileru
• Nagavali River: Suvarnamukhi, Vegavati
• Indravati River: Narangi, Kolab
• Tel River: Utei, Bhaskel