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Table of contents
- Why Is the Banas River in the News?
- Where Does the Banas River Originate?
- What Makes the Banas River Geographically Unique?
- Which Tributaries Feed the Banas River?
- Why Is the Banas River Important for Irrigation?
- Major Towns and Cities on the Banas River?
- How Does this river Impact the Regional Ecology?
- FAQs
- Also Read
Why Is the Banas River in the News?
North Gujarat and southern Rajasthan have recently battled severe monsoon flooding as the Banas River swelled beyond its usual limits. September 2025, incidents of vehicles and villagers being swept away by the river’s powerful monsoon surge highlighted urgent disaster management needs. The rainfall in 2025 has broken decade-old records, affecting thousands across the river basin.
Where Does the Banas River Originate?
The Banas River originates in the Khamnor Hills (Veron ka Math) of the Aravalli Range, about 5 km from Kumbhalgarh in Rajsamand district, Rajasthan. It flows for approximately 512 km before merging with the Chambal River near Rameshwar in Sawai Madhopur.
What Makes the Banas River Geographically Unique?
- Length: Approximately 512 kilometers, draining an entire basin exclusively in Rajasthan.
- Banas is called ‘Van Ki Asha‘ (Hope of the Forest) owing to its vital role in the desert ecology.
- Its basin covers 45,833 sq. km across 11 major districts, supporting vibrant biodiversity and local agriculture.
Which Tributaries Feed the Banas River?
- Right-bank tributaries: Berach (157 km), Menali.
- Left-bank tributaries: Kothari (380 km), Khari, Dai, Dheel, Sohadara, Morel, Kalisil.
- The river is joined by the Berach River, a tributary that passes through ancient Harappan sites and enhances Banas’s water volume during monsoon season.
Why Is the Banas River Important for Irrigation?
The Bisalpur Dam on Banas is a major gravity dam near Deoli, crucial for supplying drinking water to Jaipur and ensuring irrigation for districts like Tonk and Ajmer. The river also supports local agriculture during the monsoon, despite drying up in summer, making it a lifeline for semi-arid Rajasthan.
Major Towns and Cities on the Banas River?
Key urban centers along this river include Nathdwara, Jahazpur, Mohi, Tonk, and Manpura. These towns depend on the river for local industries, rituals, and festivals, with many historical temples and ghats located on its banks.
How Does this river Impact the Regional Ecology?
Floods in the River rejuvenate nutrient levels in soil, benefitting farming but causing destruction during heavy monsoons, as seen in 2025. Its basin supports semi-arid forests, rare birds, and aquatic species, making it an ecological hotspot in Rajasthan.
FAQs
Q1. Where does the Banas River start and end?
It originates at Khamnor Hills in the Aravalli Range and merges with the Chambal River; it travels about 512 km entirely in Rajasthan.
Q2. Why is the Banas called a Virgin River?
It is known as a ‘Virgin River’ because, unlike most, it does not reach the sea but vanishes into the desert before adjoining the Chambal.
Q3. What are the recent disasters linked to the Banas River?
Heavy downpours in September 2025 caused severe floods, sweeping away vehicles and leading to multiple tragic drownings and rescue missions.
Q4. Which dam on the Banas River is most significant?
The Bisalpur Dam, serving Jaipur’s drinking water needs and irrigating large tracts, is the most vital project on this river.
