India is a country blessed with many rivers that have supported civilization and agriculture for thousands of years. The mighty rivers criss-cross the landscape, providing water for drinking, irrigation, transportation, electricity and more. With a complex river system, India has some of the largest and most important rivers in the world. But which river is the second largest in India after the massive Ganges River? Let’s take a closer look at India’s river systems to find the answer.
Major River Systems of India
India’s rivers can be divided into two major river systems:
The Himalayan River System
This system originates from the glaciers of the Himalayas in the north. The major rivers in this system include the Indus, Ganges, and Brahmaputra. They flow from the Himalayas southwards and drain into the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal. This system is fed by melted snow and glaciers and so has a perennial source of water.
The Peninsular River System
Originating in the Western Ghats, Central India and Eastern Ghats, the main rivers in this system are the Narmada, Tapi, Godavari, Krishna, Kaveri, and Mahanadi. They drain inland into the Indian Peninsula. Since this system relies on monsoon rains, the rivers are seasonal.
The northern Himalayan river system has some of the mightiest rivers in India as well as the subcontinent. The Ganges is the largest, but what is the 2nd longest river in India?
The Mighty Ganges River
At 2525 km, the Ganges River or Ganga is the longest river in India. Starting from the Gangotri Glacier in Uttarakhand, it flows southeast through the plains of northern India before draining into the Bay of Bengal.
Along with its main tributary, the Yamuna, the Ganges’ drainage basin supports millions through irrigation, drinking water and power. The Ganges is also worshipped as a goddess and considered sacred by Hindus. Millions flock to its banks every year for rituals and Kumbh Mela, a mass Hindu pilgrimage.
Clearly, the Ganges stands apart when it comes to Indian rivers. But which river is the next longest?
The Indus River
The Indus River flows from Tibet through Jammu & Kashmir and Northern Areas of Pakistan before reaching the Arabian Sea. At 3180 km, it is the 21st longest river in the world and the 2nd longest in the Indian Subcontinent after the Ganges.
Its tributaries are Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Beas and Sutlej. Just like the Indus Valley Civilization, the Indus river system has supported humans along its banks for thousands of years.
Today, the Indus River Basin Irrigation System is the largest contiguous irrigation system in the world. The massive Tarbela Dam on the Indus River is one of the largest dams in the world and essential for Pakistan’s agriculture and electricity needs.
So in terms of length within India, the Indus River is the 2nd longest after the Ganges River. But there is another measure that sets a different river apart as India’s 2nd largest.
Godavari – India’s 2nd Longest River by Drainage Area
The Godavari is a river of contrasts. Starting at an elevation of 1067 m in the Western Ghats of central India, it flows for 1465 km into the Bay of Bengal, draining a huge area along the way.
At 312,812 km2, the Godavari has the largest drainage basin in India, even larger than the Ganges or Indus. The massive basin flattens out as Godavari enters the Indian Peninsula plateau around Nashik. As it descends eastwards into the fertile deltas it becomes wide – varying between 0.2-5 km in width.
The river forms one of the largest river basins in India and also nurtures extensive irrigation projects like the Dowlaiswaram Barrage. Along with the Krishna River, the Godavari Delta is one of the nation’s main rice-producing regions. It truly is a lifeline for central and southern India.
Considering the vast area it covers, the Godavari emerges as India’s 2nd largest river after the Ganges.
| River | Length (km) | Drainage Area (km2) |
|---|---|---|
| Ganges | 2525 | 861,404 |
| Godavari | 1465 | 312,812 |
| Indus | 3180 | 1,165,500 |
Other Major Rivers of India
Beyond the largest 3, India is home to many other important rivers that contribute to its fertile landscapes. Here is a quick rundown of other vital rivers:
Yamuna – The longest tributary of the Ganges, it originates from Yamunotri Glacier draining into the Ganges at Allahabad. With a length of 1370 km, its basin covers 366,223 km2.
Brahmaputra – Starting in Tibet as Yarlung Tsangpo, the Brahmaputra flows 2900 km through Tibet, India and Bangladesh. At 38,000 m3/s, it has the highest average discharge worldwide.
Krishna – Rising in the Western Ghats and flowing east for 1400 km into the Bay of Bengal. Along with Godavari, Krishna is vital for the irrigation of southern India.
Narmada – Flowing westwards in central India for 1300 km, it is one of only 3 major rivers flowing into the Arabian Sea. It is a lifeline for Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat.
Kaveri – Originating in the Western Ghats and flowing 800 km through south-eastern India, it irrigates important areas of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry.
Beyond the lengths and drainage areas, India’s rivers also differ significantly in terms of discharge volumes, with the Ganges leading with 12,015 m3/s average discharge. Rivers like Brahmaputra and Godavari also record discharge volume in 1000s of cubic meters/second.
The seasonal rivers of peninsular India fluctuate widely in water flow, with most of them flooding during the Southwest Monsoon. They experience very low discharge in the dry season. Usage of water across the years is therefore a major challenge and priority in India.
Threats and Issues Facing India’s Rivers
With increasing population pressure and demand for resources, India’s rivers face multiple threats from human activity:
– Pollution – Sewage, agricultural runoff, industrial effluents, religious offerings and more end up in the rivers, reducing water quality. The Ganges is now one of the most polluted rivers worldwide.
– Over-extraction – Excessive withdrawal from the rivers for irrigation is lowering water tables and drying up tributaries.
– Dams – While dams allow for irrigation and power, they disrupt ecosystems, displace communities and zap rivers downstream. There are plans for even more dams on the Ganges.
– Climate change – Shifting monsoons, glacier melt and uncertain rainfall impact water flow in rivers across India.
To revive India’s rivers, conservation of catchment areas, sustainable usage and sewage treatment are hugely important. Community-driven efforts are also building momentum for the cause across the country.
Conclusion
India is truly blessed with some of the most important rivers in the world. The Ganges is the longest, while the Godavari has the largest drainage basin. After the Ganges, the Indus is the longest river flowing through India. But considering drainage area size, the Godavari emerges as India’s second largest river system.
Beyond measuring lengths and areas, what matters is how India manages and preserves these critical freshwater lifelines. With care and responsibility, the rivers that have always nourished the landscape will continue to sustain generations to come.