Brahmani River

About Brahmani River

• The Brahmani is a major seasonal river in the Odisha state of Eastern India.
• It is one of the few rivers that cut across the Eastern Ghats.
• Origin: It originates near Nagri village in the Ranchi district of Jharkhand at an elevation of about 600m. It is initially known as the South Koel River in its upper reaches. 
• Drainage: The river basin traverses the states of Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, and Odisha.
• Course of the river: After meeting with the Sankh River at Rourkela, it is known as the Brahmani River.
  • It generally flows south-southeast past Bonaigarh and Talcher in Odisha before turning east to merge with the northern branches of the Mahanadi River, which eventually drains into the Bay of Bengal at Palmyras Point, Odisha.
• Gorge formation: It also forms a minor gorge at Rengali (Angul district of Odisha).
• Total Length: Its total length is about 799 km. 
• Boundary: The basin is bounded in the North by the Chhotanagpur Plateau, in the West and South by the Mahanadi basin and in the East by the Bay of Bengal. 
• Tributaries: The major tributaries of the river include the Sankh, Tikra, and Karo rivers.
• Delta formation: Together with the Mahanadi and Baitarani rivers, it forms the Brahmani delta before emptying into the Bay of Bengal.
  • The Brahmani delta is the site of the Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary, known for its estuarine crocodiles.
• Dams situated: It supports irrigation through dams and canals like the Rengali Dam and Samal Barrage.
• Historical significance:  Historically, its origin is linked to the legend of Ved Vyasa.