Rivers of West Bengal: Detailed Map, Major Basins & Dams

West Bengal, one of the most populous states in India, lies in the eastern region of the country. It shares borders with Bangladesh to the east, Nepal and Bhutan to the north, and the Indian states of Sikkim, Assam, Bihar, Jharkhand, and Odisha. Importantly, the rivers of West Bengal begin their journey in two distinct landscapes: the snow-fed streams of the Eastern Himalayas and the seasonal flows from the Chota Nagpur Plateau.

Furthermore, these waterways fall into three main systems: Himalayan rivers such as the Teesta and Jaldhaka, the Ganga-Padma network focused on the Bhagirathi–Hooghly distributary, and peninsular streams like the Damodar and Mayurakshi.

River Systems in West Bengal

West Bengal has three major river systems:

• Himalayan Rivers (North Bengal): These rivers like the Teesta, Torsa, and Jaldhaka originate in the Eastern Himalayas. They are snow-fed, fast-flowing, and prone to floods.
• Ganga-Padma System: The Ganga enters West Bengal and splits into several distributaries like the Bhagirathi, Jalangi, and Ichamati. This system dominates central and southern Bengal.
• Peninsular Rivers (South Bengal): These rivers such as the Damodar, Ajay, and Mayurakshi arise from the Chota Nagpur Plateau. They are rain-fed and seasonal.

Major Rivers of West Bengal

1. Ganga River

• Origin:Ganga originates in Gangotri Glacier, Uttarakhand
• Entry Point: Murshidabad district
• Course in West Bengal: ~350 km before splitting
• Branches: Bhagirathi at Farraka and Padma
• Ends: Bay of Bengal via the Sundarbans delta

2. Bhagirathi–Hooghly River

• Origin: Hooghly diverges from Ganga at Farraka Barrage
• Path: Flows through Murshidabad, Nadia, Hoogly, and Kolkata
• Length in State: ~260 km
• Role: Major navigation channel and drinking-water source
• Confluence: Merges with the Bay of Bengal at Sagar Island

3. Teesta River

• Origin: Pahunri Glacier, Sikkim Himalayas
• Course in West Bengal: ~250 km through Darjeeling and Jalpaiguri divisions
• Key Towns: Siliguri, Mekhliganj
• Cross-Border: Enters Bangladesh near Phulbari

Find full details in the Teesta River feature.

4. Damodar River

• Origin: Chota Nagpur Plateau, Jharkhand
• Course in West Bengal: Flows through Bardhaman and Hooghly districts
• Control Structures: Durgapur and Panchet dams and barrages

Read more on the Damodar River System Along with Map.

5. Mahananda River

• Origin: Arunachal–Bihar foothills
• Entry Point: Siliguri corridor
• Course in State: ~180 km through North Dinajpur and Malda
• Ends: Joins Ganga near Harischandrapur.

6. Subarnarekha River

• Origin: Ranchi Plateau, Jharkhand
• Path: Skirts western Paschim Medinipur
• Length in State: ~80 km
• Confluence: Meets Bay of Bengal south of Contai
• Characteristic: Seasonal flow with strong summer currents

Check our Subarnarekha River article.

7. Ichamati River

• Origin: Madhabpasse, North 24 Parganas
• Course: ~65 km along the India–Bangladesh border
• Feature: Tidal influence and border wetlands
• Ends: Joins the Kalindi near Hasnabad

Bengal River Map

Which is the Longest River in West Bengal?

The Ganga River is the longest river in West Bengal, though it changes names and branches within the state. The Bhagirathi-Hooghly, its primary distributary, flows entirely within the state and serves as a vital waterway. Moreover, Teesta River is the longest river in North Bengal.

Important Dams and Barrages in West Bengal

Here are some major dams and barrages built on rivers in West Bengal:

• Farakka Barrage – Ganga River
• Durgapur Barrage – Damodar River
• Massanjore Dam – Mayurakshi River
• Tilpara Barrage – Mayurakshi River
• Kangsabati Dam – Kasai River
• Teesta Barrage – Teesta River
• Mukutmanipur Dam – Kangsabati River
• Ichamati Barrage – Ichamati River

Delta and Estuarine Rivers

The Sundarbans Delta, the largest delta in the world, lies in southern West Bengal. It is formed by the confluence of the Ganga, Brahmaputra, and Meghna rivers. Several tidal and estuarine rivers flow in this region.

• Matla River
• Bidyadhari River
• Raimangal River
• Thakuran River
• Saptamukhi River

These rivers are influenced by tides and often carry saline water from the Bay of Bengal inland during high tide.

Rivers Crossing International Borders

Several rivers in West Bengal either enter from or flow into neighboring countries:

• Teesta, Torsa, Jaldhaka – Flow in from Bhutan and Sikkim
• Mahananda – Comes from Bihar and Nepal
• Ichamati – Forms a boundary between India and Bangladesh

These rivers are important for transboundary water sharing and flood management.