Bhima River Basin: Origin, Map, Tributaries, and Dams
Bhima River is the largest tributary of the Krishna River. It starts from the Bhimashankar hills in Maharashtra and flows southeast for 861 km before merging with the Krishna near Raichur, Karnataka.
It flows through Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Telangana, with most of its basin lying in Maharashtra. The total drainage area is about 70,614 sq km.
| Feature | Details |
| River Name | Bhima River |
| Origin | Bhimashankar Hills, Pune district, Maharashtra |
| Length | 861 km |
| States Covered | Maharashtra, Karnataka, Telangana |
| Confluence | Krishna River (24 km north of Raichur, Karnataka) |
| Basin Area | 70,614 sq km |
Table of Contents
Origin and Course
Bhima River originates from Bhimashankar hills in the Western Ghats of Pune district, Maharashtra. It begins at an elevation of about 945 meters and flows southeast across three states before meeting the Krishna River.
State-wise Route of Bhima River:
- Maharashtra (450 km): Pune, Ahmednagar, Solapur
- Karnataka (298 km): Kalaburagi, Vijayapura, Raichur
- Telangana (113 km): Sangareddy district
The river finally merges with the Krishna River near Kadlur village in Raichur district, Karnataka. This point is known as the Bhima-Krishna Sangam, where the river ends after flowing for 861 km.
Map of Bhima River – Start to End
Major Tributaries of Bhima River
- Indrayani River: Originates in the Sahyadri hills and meets Bhima near Tulapur in Pune district.
- Pavana River: Begins near Lonavala, joins the Mula River, and later contributes to Bhima via the Mula-Mutha system.
- Mutha River: Flows through Pune, merges with Mula to form Mula-Mutha, which later joins Bhima.
- Ghod River: A tributary rising in Pune district, it merges with Bhima downstream near Sangamner.
- Kukadi River: Flows from the Junnar region and meets Bhima near Pimpalgaon Joge.
Other tributaries include Bhama, Vel, Nira, Man, and Bori Rivers, which also drain into Bhima and enrich its basin during monsoon.
Important Dams
- Ujjani Dam – The largest dam on the main river, located in Solapur district.
- Pawna Dam – Built on the Pawna River (a tributary of Mula).
- Mulshi Dam – Located on the Mula River.
- Ghod Dam – Built on the Ghod tributary, serves agriculture.
- Kukadi and Yedgaon Dams – Part of the Kukadi project in Pune district.
For more detailed information on the Krishna River and its major tributaries like Tungabhadra and Musi, you can refer to our other river articles.
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