Rivers in Telangana | Major River Systems, Dams & Map
Telangana is a state in south-central India. It covers an area of about 112,000 square kilometers. The state touches Maharashtra in the north, Chhattisgarh in the northeast, Karnataka in the west, and Andhra Pradesh in the south and east.
Two major rivers flow through Telangana — Godavari and Krishna. Both rivers enter from the western side and move toward the east. This article on Rivers in Telangana covers key facts, major dams, and includes a clear map to help you understand the rivers better.
Table of Contents
River Systems in Telangana
Telangana has two major river systems:
- Krishna River System
- Godavari River System
1. Krishna River System
The Krishna River is the second most important river in Telangana. It enters the state near Makthal in Narayanpet district and flows across the southern region. It passes through districts like Nagarkurnool, Nalgonda, and Suryapet. Major projects like the Nagarjuna Sagar Dam and Jurala Project are built on this river.
Main Tributaries of Krishna in Telangana:
- Bhima River – Bhima river enters Telangana from Maharashtra, flows through Vikarabad and joins Krishna.
- Musi River – Originates near Vikarabad, flows through Hyderabad, and joins Krishna near Wazirabad.
- Dindi River – Flows through Nalgonda district.
- Peddavagu River – Seasonal river flowing through the Krishna basin region.
2. Godavari River System
The Godavari River is the largest river flowing through Telangana. It enters the state near Basar in Nirmal district and moves across the northern and eastern regions before leaving at Bhadrachalam in Bhadradri Kothagudem district. In addition, Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project is built on this river.
Main Tributaries of Godavari in Telangana:
- Manjira River – Originates in Maharashtra, enters Telangana in Sangareddy district.
- Pranahita River – A confluence of the Wardha and Wainganga Rivers; it joins the Godavari near Kaleshwaram.
- Indravati River – Forms a natural border between Telangana and Chhattisgarh.
- Saraswati River – Joins Godavari near Basar, seasonal in nature.
- Kadem River – Originates in Adilabad district and joins Godavari near Kadem.
Map of Rivers in Telangana
Other Notable Rivers in Telangana
Here are a few more seasonal or smaller rivers in Telangana:
- Haldi River
- Munneru River
- Moosi River
- Phalana River
Important Dams and Projects in Telangana
| Dam / Project | River | District |
|---|---|---|
| Nagarjuna Sagar Dam | Krishna | Nalgonda |
| Srisailam Dam | Krishna | Nagarkurnool |
| Kaleshwaram Project | Godavari | Bhupalpally / Peddapalli |
| Sriram Sagar Project | Godavari | Nizamabad |
| Lower Manair Dam | Manair (Godavari tributary) | Karimnagar |
| Mid Manair Dam | Manair | Rajanna Sircilla |
| Kadem Dam | Kadem (Godavari tributary) | Nirmal |
