Bhima River with Map

The Bhima River, starting from Maharashtra’s Bhimashankar hills, is a significant river in South India. It flows through Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Telangana before joining the Krishna River. This article explores its origin, tributaries, basin area, and the importance of dams and canals in regional agriculture. Join us as we discover the importance of the Bhima River in Southern India.

Geographical Features of Bhima River

Here are some key geographical features of the Bhima River:

• Originates from Bhimashankar hills in Pune, Maharashtra.
• Flows southeast for 861 kilometers through Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Telangana.
• Begins in rugged Western Ghats terrain and transitions to flat plains in Maharashtra.
• Enriched by tributaries like Indrayani, Mula, Mutha, Pavana, Kundali, Ghod, and Bhama rivers.
• Covers a basin area of 70,614 square kilometers, primarily in Maharashtra.
• Supports irrigation through dams like Ujjani, Chas Kaman, Mulshi, and Khadakwasla.
• Facilitates water distribution to agricultural lands via canals.

Origin and Course

The Bhima River originates near the Bhimashankar Temple in the Bhimashankar hills of Pune district, Maharashtra, at coordinates 19°4’19″N 73°32’9″E and an elevation of approximately 945 meters above sea level. It flows southeast for a total length of 861 kilometers, passing through Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Telangana states.

In Maharashtra, it stretches for 450 kilometers and is joined by major tributaries such as the Indrayani, Mula, Mutha, and Pavana rivers. Upon entering Karnataka, the Bhima River continues for about 298 kilometers before merging with the Krishna River. The confluence of the Bhima and Krishna rivers occurs approximately 24 kilometers north of Raichur city, at coordinates 16°24’36″N 77°17’6″E.

Overall, the River follows a lengthy and meandering path from the Western Ghats eastwards to join the Krishna River, which eventually flows into the Bay of Bengal. Monitoring water quality along its interstate journey remains crucial.

Drainage Basin

• The River basin covers 70,614 sq km, with Maharashtra hosting about 75% of it.
• Major districts in Maharashtra within the basin include Pune, Solapur, Ahmednagar, Satara, Sangli, Beed, and Osmanabad.
• The remaining 25% spans northwest Karnataka and parts of Telangana.
• The basin collects significant rainfall runoff from the Western Ghats before merging with the Krishna River.

Tributaries of Bhima River

The river gets its water from many smaller rivers along its path through Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Telangana. These smaller rivers, called tributaries, are important because they add more water to the Bhima and help it flow smoothly.

Some of the main tributaries that join the Bhima River are:

• Indrayani River
• Mula River
• Mutha River
• Pavana River

These rivers come together with the Bhima in Maharashtra, making it bigger and covering more land. Other important tributaries like the Kundali, Ghod, and Bhama rivers also join the Bhima as it moves towards the Krishna River. These rivers are essential for farming and people’s lives in the area, showing how everything in the region is connected through water.

Dams on the Bhima River

• Ujjani Dam: Located in Maharashtra, Ujjani Dam is a major reservoir on the Bhima River, providing irrigation water and hydroelectric power.
• Chas Kaman Dam: Another significant dam on the Bhima River, located in Maharashtra, contributing to agricultural irrigation and water supply.
• Mulshi Dam: Situated near Pune, Maharashtra, Mulshi Dam regulates the flow of the Mula River, a major tributary of the Bhima, and supports hydroelectricity generation.
• Khadakwasla Dam: Located near Pune, Maharashtra, Khadakwasla Dam serves multiple purposes, including irrigation, drinking water supply, and flood control.

These dams play crucial roles in managing water resources, supporting agriculture, and providing hydroelectric power in the region.