The Godavari basin covers an area of 3,12,812 sq km, making it the second-largest river basin in India. Mentioned in ancient Puranic texts as Tellivaha, the Godavari is also known as the “River of Poets.” It is the largest peninsular river in terms of length, catchment area, and discharge, draining nearly 10% of India’s total geographical area.
With a total length of 1,465 km, the Godavari is the second-longest river in India and the longest in South India. About 560 km of its course flows through Telangana, while the combined length in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh is 772 km. Maharashtra accounts for the largest share of the basin catchment (48.6%).
Origin and Nomenclature
The river originates from a sacred pond at Trimbakeshwar Temple on the Brahmagiri Hills in the Western Ghats (Sahyadris), near Nashik in Maharashtra, at an elevation of about 920 metres above sea level. It is also known as Vridha Ganga, Dakshina Ganga, and the Rhine of India.
Basin Characteristics
- Average annual rainfall in the basin: 110 cm
- Only river basin in South India with coal deposits
- First major irrigation project in Telangana: Pochampadu (Sriram Sagar Project)
- River island formed: Kandakurthi (Nirmal district)
The Godavari splits into seven branches near Vempalli–Venkatraopet village in Jagtial district and forms a crescent-shaped course near Cheggaon village on the Jagtial–Peddapalli border.
Major Confluences (Triveni Sangamams)
- Kandakurthi (Nizamabad district): Godavari + Manjeera + Haridra
- Kaleshwaram (Bhupalpally district): Godavari + Pranahita + Saraswati
The basin is bounded in the north by the Ajanta, Nirmal, and Satmala hills, and forms the southern edge of the Papi Hills. The highest peak in the basin is Arma Konda (1,680 m).
Course of the Godavari
From Trimbakeshwar, the river flows through Maharashtra and enters Telangana at Kandakurthi. It passes through Basara, reaches the Sriram Sagar Project, and continues through Nizamabad, Jagtial, Mancherial, Peddapalli, Jayashankar Bhupalapally, Mulugu, and Bhadradri Kothagudem districts. Cutting across the Papi Hills, it forms the Bison Gorge and enters Andhra Pradesh near Polavaram.
After flowing through Rajahmundry, the river divides at Dhavaleswaram into multiple distributaries and empties into the Bay of Bengal, earning the name Sapta Godavari.
Major Distributaries
- Gautami (north): Yanam
- Vasishta (middle): Antarvedi
- Vainateya (south): Komaripalem
- Tulya & Bharadwaja: Bendamurlanka
(Kousika and Atreya merge with Tulya and Bharadwaja)
The fertile delta between Gautami and Vasishta is called Konaseema, popularly known as the “Garden of Andhra Pradesh.”
Districts Along the Godavari
- Left bank: Nirmal, Mancherial
- Right bank: Nizamabad, Jagtial, Peddapalli, Jayashankar Bhupalapally, Mulugu, Bhadradri Kothagudem
River Systems of Telangana and Inter-State Water Disputes
Introduction
Telangana is endowed with major river systems that are central to its agriculture, economy, and ecology. However, these rivers are also at the core of persistent inter-state water disputes.
Godavari River System
- Receives 84% of rainfall during the Southwest Monsoon
- Telangana accounts for 79% of the Godavari catchment
- Catchment area in Telangana: 62,150 sq km
- Largest tributary: Pranahita (34.87% of drainage area)
- Forms inter-state boundaries with Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh
Right-bank tributaries: Pravara, Mula, Manjeera, Manair
Left-bank tributaries: Wainganga, Wardha, Penganga, Pranahita, Indravati, Sabari
The river plays a vital role in irrigation, drinking water supply, and livelihoods.
Krishna River System
The Krishna originates near Mahabaleshwar in the Western Ghats and flows for about 1,400 km. It enters Telangana at Maktal (Narayanapet district) and flows through Narayanapet, Mahabubnagar, Wanaparthy, Gadwal, Nagarkurnool, Nalgonda, and Suryapet, before entering Andhra Pradesh and finally draining into the Bay of Bengal at Hamsaladeevi.
- Basin area: 2,58,948 sq km
- Characterised by seasonal flow variation
- Average discharge: ~2,100 m³/sec
Right-bank tributaries: Bhima, Musi, Dindi, Munneru
Left-bank tributaries: Tungabhadra, Ghataprabha, Malaprabha
The Krishna supports irrigation, hydropower generation, biodiversity, and holds deep cultural significance.
Inter-State Water Disputes
Godavari Dispute
Conflicts among Telangana, Maharashtra, and Andhra Pradesh arise over dam construction, water allocation, and project clearances. Despite the Godavari Water Disputes Tribunal, disputes persist.
Krishna Dispute
Sharing of Krishna waters—especially concerning Srisailam and Nagarjuna Sagar reservoirs—remains contentious between Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. Tribunal awards have not fully resolved competing claims.
Conclusion
The Godavari and Krishna river systems are lifelines of Telangana. Resolving inter-state water disputes through cooperative federalism, legal clarity, and sustainable water management is essential to ensure water security and long-term development of the region.