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Why Krishna River Is in News
In August 2025, continuous heavy rainfall caused the Krishna River basin to witness a flood-like situation for several days. Reservoirs such as Srisailam, Nagarjuna Sagar, and Pulichintala are at full capacity, leading to large-scale water discharge downstream.
The floodwaters have submerged agricultural lands, affected villages, and disrupted road connectivity in multiple districts across Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. Authorities have issued flood alerts, set up relief centers, and started evacuations as the inflows continue to rise.
About Krishna River
The Krishna River is a major river in south-central India, originating from the Western Ghats near Mahabaleshwar in Maharashtra. It flows eastward for about 1,290 kilometers (800 miles) through the states of Maharashtra, Karnataka, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh before emptying into the Bay of Bengal at Hamasaladeevi.
- The Krishna Basin spans approximately 258,948 sq km, covering nearly 8% of India’s geographical area.
- It is bounded north by the Balaghat range, south and east by the Eastern Ghats, and west by the Western Ghats.
- Major tributaries include Ghataprabha, Malaprabha, Bhima, Tungabhadra, and Musi rivers.
- The river sustains agriculture, industry, drinking water, and hydroelectricity for millions.
Geographical Overview
- The Krishna River basin is crucial for the irrigation of thousands of hectares across four states, fostering crop diversity and rural livelihoods.
- It hosts several large dams and reservoirs such as Srisailam, Nagarjuna Sagar, Pulichintala, and Basava Sagara (Narayanpur Dam) that regulate water for power generation and irrigation.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. Where does the Krishna River originate and flow through?
A1. The Krishna River originates near Mahabaleshwar in Western Ghats, Maharashtra, and flows through Maharashtra, Karnataka, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh into the Bay of Bengal.
Q2. What is the length and basin area of the Krishna River?
A2. It spans about 1,290 km with a basin area covering roughly 258,948 square kilometers.
Q3. What are the major tributaries of the Krishna River?
A3. Ghataprabha, Malaprabha, Bhima, Tungabhadra, and Musi.
Q4. Which dams on the Krishna River are critical for flood control?
A4. Srisailam, Nagarjuna Sagar, Pulichintala, and Basava Sagara reservoirs play a key role in flood management.
