Subarnarekha River

 

 

After originating near Piska/ Nagri, near Ranchi, the capital of Jharkhand, the Subarnarekha traverses a long distance through Ranchi[7]Seraikela Kharsawan and East Singhbhum districts in the state. Thereafter it flows for shorter distances through Paschim Medinipur district in West Bengal for 83 kilometres (52 mi) and Balasore district of Orissa. There it flows for 79 kilometres (49 mi) and joins the Bay of Bengal near Talsari. The total length of the river is 470 kilometres (290 mi).

 

The basin of the Subarnarekha is smaller amongst the multi-state river basins in India. The rain-fed river covers a drainage area of 1.93 million hectares

 

 

Several areas in the lower reaches of Subarnarekha, particularly the coastal areas of Orissa and West Bengal are wihin the flood hazard zone. The Subarnarekha in Orissa had crossed its previous Highest Flood Level (HFL) of 12.2 metres (40 ft) in 2007, surpassing the earlier record of 1997. In 2009 Subarnarekha witnessed flash floods following heavy rainfall in the upper catchment areas of the river. During flood, large areas of Jaleswar, Bhograi and Baliapal blocks and a small pocket of Basta block in Balasore district of Orissa are affected. Certain areas of Medinipur in West Bengal are also affected by floods.