Source: HT
Context: Due to extreme heat, the Krishna River has dried up earlier than usual, severely affecting irrigation in Karnataka’s Bagalkot, Vijayapura, and Yadgir districts.
About Krishna River:
- Origin: Rises near Mahabaleshwar in the Western Ghats, Satara district, Maharashtra.
- States Flowing Through: Maharashtra, Karnataka, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh.
- Course and Length: Flows ~1,400 km eastward and drains into the Bay of Bengal near Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh.
- Tributaries:
- Right Bank: Venna, Koyna, Panchganga, Dudhganga, Ghataprabha, Malaprabha, Tungabhadra.
- Left Bank: Bhima, Musi, Munneru.
- Unique Features of Krishna River:
- Second Largest East-Flowing River in Peninsular India (after Godavari).
- Seasonal Dependence: Largely rain-fed, resulting in highly variable water flow.
- Hydroelectric Projects: Major installations at Srisailam, Nagarjuna Sagar, and Tungabhadra.
- Key Projects on Krishna River:
- Tungabhadra Project (Karnataka): Irrigation and hydroelectricity.
- Srisailam Dam (AP): Hydropower and irrigation.
- Nagarjuna Sagar Dam (AP/Telangana): Key part of Green Revolution infrastructure.
- Prakasam Barrage (AP): Canal irrigation across Krishna delta.
- Ghataprabha & Bhima Projects (Maharashtra): Regional irrigation support.
