Drainage system of Jharkhand - Jharkhand Special Notes 2025-26

##### The drainage system of Jharkhand holds great geographical significance.

The rivers of Jharkhand can be classified into two major categories:

(1) Southern Drainage System (rivers flowing into the Bay of Bengal)

(2) Northern Drainage System (rivers flowing northwards and merging into the Ganga)

The Subarnarekha, Shankh, and South Koel rivers fall under the first category, while the Damodar and North Koel rivers belong to the second category.

The watershed dividing these two systems runs roughly in an east-west direction across the Chotanagpur Plateau.

[](https://learnpro.live/new-courses/45-jharkhand-special-course-prelims-test-series)

[Get Jharkhand Special Full Course for Prelims and Mains](https://learnpro.live/new-courses/45-jharkhand-special-course-prelims-test-series)

[Click here For 14th JPSC Foundation batch](https://learnpro.live/new-courses/4-jpsc-foundation-batch-2025-14th-jpsc-cce-exam)

In the Chotanagpur Plateau region, several rivers flow through distinct routes, such as:

• Damodar River and its tributaries (flowing through Hazaribagh and Ranchi)
• North Koel River (in the northwestern part of the plateau)
• South Koel River (in the southwestern part)
• Subarnarekha River (in the southeastern part)


Major River Basins of Jharkhand

#### 1\. Damodar River Basin

• Flow Direction: West to east.
• Geographical Stretch: Between Ranchi Plateau and Hazaribagh Plateau.
• Nature: It occupies a faulted trough — a sunken section formed due to tectonic activity.
• Major Tributaries:

- Barakar River (forms a nearly independent valley),

- Konar River,

- Gobai River.

The Damodar Basin covers a large portion of the Chotanagpur Plateau and is heavily industrialized and coal-rich.

#### 2\. North-Eastern Drainage Basin

• Location: Northern and eastern part of the Chotanagpur Plateau.
• Major Rivers:

- Ajay River,

- Mor (Mayurakshi) River,

- Brahmani River,

- Gumani River.

• Course: These rivers originate from Jharkhand and flow eastwards or north-eastwards to merge into the Ganga River.

#### 3\. Subarnarekha River Basin

• Origin: Near Nagdi village, close to Ranchi city, in the Ranchi Plateau.
• Flow Direction: Southeast towards the Bay of Bengal.
• Major Tributary:

- Kharkai River (joins near Jamshedpur).

The Subarnarekha River is significant because it is one of the few rivers from Jharkhand that flows directly into the Bay of Bengal without merging into any larger river like the Ganga.

#### 4\. South Koel River Basin

• Origin: Southwestern part of the Ranchi Plateau.
• Flow Direction: Southwestwards.
• Major Tributary:

- Shankh River.

The South Koel and Shankh Rivers eventually combine and later merge into the Brahmani River system in Odisha.


#### 5\. Sone and North Koel River Basin

• North Koel River:

- Originates from the western part of the Ranchi Plateau.

- Flows through Palamu district.

- Major tributaries include Amanat, Auranga, Gohda, and Maila rivers.

- Finally merges into the Sone River, a tributary of the Ganga.

The North Koel and Sone river system is crucial for northern Jharkhand, providing irrigation and supporting biodiversity.

Important Rivers of Jharkhand

Jharkhand's rivers can be categorized based on their flow direction:

(A) Northward Flowing Rivers

River Name

Origin and Description

Sone

Originates from Amarkantak Hills (Madhya Pradesh); North Koel is its important tributary.

North Koel

Originates from Ranchi Plateau, flows through Palamu and joins Sone.

Punpun

Flows northward from North Koel basin.

Fulgu

Originates from the Chotanagpur plateau; merges into Ganga near Tal area.

Sakri

Emerges from northern Chotanagpur Plateau.

Chanan (Panchane)

Formed by joining of five streams: Pemar, Tilaiya, Dhanari, Mahane, and Panchane.

*

(B) Eastward/Southward Flowing Rivers

River Name

Origin and Description

Damodar

Known as "Sorrow of Bengal" due to devastating floods; now tamed by the Damodar Valley Corporation projects.

Subarnarekha

Originates near Ranchi; flows directly into Bay of Bengal; rich in gold particles in river sand.

Barakar

Major tributary of Damodar River.

South Koel

Rises near Nagdi village, merges with Shankh River.

Shankh

Originates from Gumla district and joins South Koel.

Ajay

Flows through Deoghar and Dumka into Bhagirathi River in West Bengal.

Mor (Mayurakshi)

Originates from Deoghar area and merges into Ganga.

Brahmani

Rises from Dudhwa Hills of Dumka district.

Gumani

Flows from Rajmahal Hills into the Ganga.

Bansloi

Originates from Bans Hills in Godda district; merges into Ganga.

Complete List of Waterfalls of Jharkhand (in English)

No.

Waterfall Name

Location

Special Feature

1

Hundru Falls

Near Ranchi on Subarnarekha River

Height: 74 meters

2

Dassam Falls

On Ranchi-Tata Road; on Kanchi River

Height: 40 meters

3

Jonha Falls (Gautamdhara)

Near Ranchi on Raru River

Height: 17 meters

4

Lodh/Buddha Ghagh Falls

Latehar district on North Koel River

Highest waterfall of Jharkhand (137 meters)

5

Hirni Falls

40 km north of Chakradharpur

Scenic beauty

6

Sadni Falls

On Shankh River, Gumla district

Height: 60 meters

7

Rajrappa Falls

Confluence of Damodar and Bhairavi rivers

Pilgrimage and religious significance

8

Kelaghagh Falls

In Simdega district

—

9

Gautamghagh Falls

Near Mahuadand area

Height: approx. 36 meters

10

Ghaghri Falls

In Netarhat Plateau

Height: 43 meters

11

Sukhaldari Falls

South of Nagenia

Height: 30 meters

12

Panchdhara Falls

14 km from Khunti

Formed by five streams

13

Tamasir Falls

In Chatra district

—

14

Thakora Falls

Manjhari block, West Singhbhum

Near Vidri village

15

Surkakata Ghagh Falls

In Simdega district

Near Hardibeda village

16

Sunua Falls

In Angara block, Ranchi district

12 km from Angara

17

Serka Falls

Bishunpur block, Gumla district

1 km from Bishunpur

18

Dharaghari Falls

18 km from Ghatsila

—

19

Motijhara Falls

Rajmahal Hills, near Maharajpur station

Height: 46 meters

20

Gurghajh Falls

In Garhwa district

—

21

Ragova Falls

6 km from Chatra

—

22

Gautamghagh Falls

10 km southeast of Mahuadand

Height: 36 meters

23

Ghargharia Falls

At the foothills of Pat region, Lohardaga district

—

24

Ghaghri Falls

7 km north of Netarhat

Height: 43 meters

25

Jonha/Gautamdhara Falls

32 km southeast of Ranchi on Raru River

Height: 17 meters

26

Tamasir Falls

26 km from Chatra

—

27

Thakora Falls

Manjhari block, Singhbhum district

—

28

Rajrappa Falls

25 km east of Ramgarh

Confluence of Damodar and Bhairavi Rivers

29

Lupungutu Falls

2 km from Chaibasa

—

30

Sadni Ghagh Falls

On Shankh River, Gumla district

Height: 60 meters

31

Sukhaldari Falls

35 km south of Nagri Tandi

Height: 30 meters

32

Surkakata Falls

23 km from Simdega

—

33

Sunua Falls

Angara block, Ranchi district

—

34

Serka Falls

Near Bishunpur, Gumla district

—

35

Hirni Falls

Near Chakradharpur

Scenic beauty

36

Hundru Falls

Near Ranchi on Subarnarekha River

Height: 74 meters

37

Hesatu Falls

In Garhwa district

—

38

Dassam Falls

Ranchi to Tata road; on Kanchi River

Height: 40 meters

39

Dharaghari Falls

Near Ghatsila

—

40

Nargpheni Falls

14 km from Gumla

—

41

Premaghagh Falls

In Raidih block, Gumla district

—

42

Pairnaghagh Falls

15 km from Tapkara

—

43

Balchaura Falls

In Ghureki block, Garhwa district

Situated on Kanhar River

44

Motijhara Falls

Rajmahal Hills, near Maharajpur Station

Height: 46 meters

45

Maludah Falls

In Chatra district

—

46

Mirchaiya Falls

In Garu block, Latehar district

—

47

Munidih Falls (Bhathinda area)

Located in Dhanbad district

—

Hot Springs (Thermal Springs) of Jharkhand

Jharkhand has several thermal hot springs arising due to underground geothermal activities. These hot springs are considered not just natural wonders but also have religious significance.

Some of the major hot springs are:

Hot Spring

Location

Special Note

Surajkund

Hazaribagh

Hottest spring in India (Temperature: ~88°C)

Tatapani

Latehar

Popular pilgrimage spot

Charak Khurd

Near Dhanbad-Giridih Road

—

Tattloi

Near Dumka

Located on the banks of Jharjhari River

Tapta Pani

Dumka

Near Kumrabad on the banks of Mor River

Nunsbil

Dumka

Near Nalagutia area

Barajharna

Dumka

—

Bara Masia

Pakur district

—

Shivpur Sota

Pakur

—

Notes for JPSC Exam

##### [Tribes of Jharkhand](https://learnpro.in/tribes-of-jharkhand/)

[Read More](https://learnpro.in/tribes-of-jharkhand/)

##### [The Chhotanagpur Unnati Samaj: Pioneering Tribal Empowerment and Cultural Revival](https://learnpro.in/chhotanagpur-unnati-samaj/)

[Read More](https://learnpro.in/chhotanagpur-unnati-samaj/)

##### [Chief Minister of Jharkhand: Champai Soren Assumes Leadership (February 2024)](https://learnpro.in/chief-minister-of-jharkhand/)

[Read More](https://learnpro.in/chief-minister-of-jharkhand/)

##### [Tasar Silk: Jharkhand’s Pride at the Republic Day Parade 2024](https://learnpro.in/tasar-silk-jharkhands-pride-at-the-republic-day-parade-2024/)

[Read More](https://learnpro.in/tasar-silk-jharkhands-pride-at-the-republic-day-parade-2024/)

##### [Balaji Temple in Jharkhand: A New Spiritual Landmark](https://learnpro.in/balaji-temple-in-jharkhand/)

[Read More](https://learnpro.in/balaji-temple-in-jharkhand/)

##### [Jharkhand Economic Growth 2024: Notes For JPSC Exam (PDF Download)](https://learnpro.in/jharkhand-economic-growth-2024-notes-for-jpsc-exam-pdf-download/)

[Read More](https://learnpro.in/jharkhand-economic-growth-2024-notes-for-jpsc-exam-pdf-download/)

##### [Jharkhand Economy : A Comprehensive Overview for JPSC Exam (PDF Download)](https://learnpro.in/jharkhand-economy-a-comprehensive-overview-for-jpsc-exam-pdf-download/)

[Read More](https://learnpro.in/jharkhand-economy-a-comprehensive-overview-for-jpsc-exam-pdf-download/)

##### [Regional Dynasties of Jharkhand- A Comprehensive Overview](https://learnpro.in/regional-dynasties-of-jharkhand-a-comprehensive-overview/)

[Read More](https://learnpro.in/regional-dynasties-of-jharkhand-a-comprehensive-overview/)

##### [Medieval period in Jharkhand](https://learnpro.in/history-of-jharkhand-medieval-period-in-jharkhand/)

[Read More](https://learnpro.in/history-of-jharkhand-medieval-period-in-jharkhand/)

##### [Ancient Period in Jharkhand: A Must Read for JPSC 2025 (PDF Available)](https://learnpro.in/ancient-period-in-jharkhand/)

[Read More](https://learnpro.in/ancient-period-in-jharkhand/)

##### [Religious Movements in Jharkhand](https://learnpro.in/history-of-jharkhand-religious-movements-in-jharkhand/)

[Read More](https://learnpro.in/history-of-jharkhand-religious-movements-in-jharkhand/)

##### [Prehistoric period in Jharkhand](https://learnpro.in/prehistoric-period-in-jharkhand/)

[Read More](https://learnpro.in/prehistoric-period-in-jharkhand/)

##### [Jharkhand History: A Must-Have Guide for JPSC CCE Exam 2025 (PDF Available)](https://learnpro.in/jharkhand-history-an-overview/)

[Read More](https://learnpro.in/jharkhand-history-an-overview/)

##### [General Introduction of Jharkhand 2024: A must read guide for JPSC Exam (PDF Available)](https://learnpro.in/general-introduction-of-jharkhand/)

[Read More](https://learnpro.in/general-introduction-of-jharkhand/)

##### [Shifting Cultivation (Jhum Cultivation): A Traditional farming of Jharkhand](https://learnpro.in/shifting-cultivation-jhum-cultivation-a-tradition/)

[Read More](https://learnpro.in/shifting-cultivation-jhum-cultivation-a-tradition/)