Pranahita River

Pranahita ప్రాణహిత प्राणहिता
Native name	ప్రాణహిత (Telugu)
Location
Country	India
State	Maharashtra, Telangana
Districts	Gadchiroli District, Komaram Bheem Asifabad district
City	Sirpur
Physical characteristics
Source	Confluence of Wardha and Wainganga
• location	Koutala, [1] Telangana, India
• coordinates	19°35′24″N79°47′59″E / 19.59000°N 79.79972°E / 19.59000; 79.79972
• elevation	146 m (479 ft)
Mouth	Godavari River
• location	Kaleshwaram, Telangana
• coordinates	18°49′30″N79°54′36″E / 18.82500°N 79.91000°E / 18.82500; 79.91000
• elevation	107 m (351 ft)
Length	113 km (70 mi)
Basin size	109,078 km2 (42,115 sq mi)
Basin features
Tributaries
• left	Dina River [2]
• right	Nagulvagu River, Peddawagu River [3]

The Pranahita River is the largest tributary of Godavari River covering about 34% ^[4] of its drainage basin conveying the combined waters of the Penganga River, the Wardha River, and the Wainganga River. By virtue of its extensive network of tributaries, the river drains a large part of Vidarbha region in Maharashtra, as well as the southern slopes of the Satpura Range in southeast Madhya Pradesh. It flows along the border of Gadchiroli district in Maharashtra and Komaram Bheem Asifabad district in Telangana. The Pranahita sub-basin is the seventh largest in India, ^[5] measuring about 109,078 km², making it larger than the individual basins of significant rivers such as the Narmada River and Kaveri.^{[ citation needed ]}

Origin

Wardha river at Pulgaon

Wainganga River in Bhandara City

The Pranahita River begins at the confluence of two extensive rivers: the Wardha (catchment area: 46,237 km²) and the Wainganga (catchment area: 49,677 km²). This junction lies on the border between the states of Maharashtra and Telangana near TumdiHettty,Kouthala Mandal (near Sirpur (T)). Right at the onset, the river enjoys a wide river bed.

Course

The Pranahita River follows a short course of 113 kilometers, strictly adhering to the boundary between Gadchiroli district in Maharashtra and Komaram Bheem Asifabad,Mancherial, Jayashankar Bhupalapally districts in Telangana. The direction of flow is southward, unlike most rivers of the Deccan Plateau. Along its course, the river is flanked by thick forests and harbors a rich biodiversity of flora and fauna. After completing its short journey, the river empties itself into the Godavari River at Kaleswaram.

Dams

The Pranahita River currently does not have any dams built on it. However, a water project to construct a barrage is currently underway. This project, the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project, has an estimated cost of Rs. 38,500 crore and is a project the Indian state of Telangana. ^[6]

Uses

The River is used for water transport between Sironcha and Kaleswaram. It is also one of twelve rivers in the Pushkaram, a festival in Hindu traditions. The pushkaram on Pranahita(pranati) will held immediate after sindhu river pushkaram, Pranahita river pushkaram assign with zodiac of Mena(pisces). Pushkaram of Pranahita in 2022 will be from 13 to 24 April.

References

1. Singh, S. Harpal (4 January 2015). "Villagers near Pranahita project the least informed". The Hindu. Retrieved 20 August 2017.
2. "District Gadchiroli – Rivers & Dams". Gadchiroli.gov.in. Archived from the original on 20 August 2017. Retrieved 20 August 2017.
3. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 22 October 2015. Retrieved 12 October 2015.
4. "Integrated Hydrological Databook (Non-Classified River Basins)" (PDF). Central Water Commission. March 2012. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 12 October 2015.
5. "Basins –". Archived from the original on 23 September 2015. Retrieved 12 October 2015.
6. Singh, S. Harpal (28 May 2015). "Submergence, irrigation issues continue to dog Pranahita project". The Hindu. Retrieved 20 August 2017.