Daily News Analysis

Mahi River

stylish_lining

In the Padra taluka of Gujarat's Vadodara, a portion of the Gambhira-Mujpur bridge collapsed recently, killing 11 people and causing other vehicles to plunge into the Mahisagar (Mahi) River

About Mahi River

The Mahi River is one of the major west-flowing interstate rivers in India, and it plays a crucial role in the geography, economy, and ecosystem of the states through which it flows through Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Gujarat.

Key Facts about the Mahi River:

  • Name: Mahi River is also known as Mahisagar, which reflects the vastness of its course and basin.

    Course of the River:

    • The river originates from the northern slopes of the Vindhya Mountain Range in Madhya Pradesh at an altitude of about 500 meters above sea level.

    • It then flows in a southerly direction through Madhya Pradesh for about 120 km.

    • The river enters Rajasthan, where it flows through the Vagad region and the Banswara district.

    • Before entering Gujarat, the river takes a U-shaped loop in Rajasthan.

    • Finally, it empties into the Arabian Sea via a wide estuary near Khambat, in Gujarat.

    Total Length: The river has a total length of 583 km.

    Drainage Area: The river's drainage basin spans about 34,842 sq.km, covering parts of three states.

    Geographical Boundaries:

    • North and Northwest: Aravalli Hills

    • East: Malwa Plateau

    • South: Vindhya Range

    • West: Gulf of Khambhat (where the river meets the sea)

    Significance:

    • The silt brought by the Mahi River has contributed to the thinning of the Gulf of Khambhat, historically impacting the port cities along its coast.

    • The river's silt deposits were once rich, but now the ports have diminished due to the shallowing of the Gulf, which has changed the region's maritime trade dynamics.

  • Tributaries: The river is fed by several key tributaries, including Eru, Nori, Chap, Som, Jakham, Moran, Anas, Panam, and Bhadar. These contribute to the river's water volume and its role in the local hydrological system.

  • Dam: The Mahi Bajaj Sagar Dam is one of the important dams constructed on the Mahi River. It plays a crucial role in water supply, irrigation, and power generation in the region.

Challenges :

  • Geographical Challenges: The riverbed of the Mahi River lies considerably lower than the surrounding land levels, making the riverbed less useful for irrigation in certain areas. Despite this, it remains significant for the regional water supply and other uses.

  • Flooding and Infrastructure: The Mahi River is prone to flooding and strong currents. Infrastructure built near rivers, especially bridges, needs to be constantly monitored and maintained to ensure safety during periods of high water levels or heavy rainfall.

  • Environmental Issues: The sediment load carried by the river has had a lasting impact on the Gulf of Khambhat, contributing to the silting of the once-rich port area, affecting regional economies dependent on maritime trade.


 

UNESCO

UNESCO's executive board has recently nominated Khaled el-Anani, the former Egyptian Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, to be the next Director-General of the organization. About UNESCO:
Share It

Visakhapatnam Declaration on e-Governance

The Visakhapatnam Declaration on e-Governance marks a significant step in the development of digital governance in India, emphasizing inclusive, transparent, and citizen-centric practices. Adopted
Share It

Defamation in India

Recently, a Supreme Court judge raised concerns about the increasing misuse of defamation laws by political figures and private individuals to settle personal and political disputes. The judge sug
Share It

Simultaneous Elections

India's ongoing debate about simultaneous elections or the One Nation, One Election concept has gained momentum, with experts like Arvind Panagariya, Chairman of the 16th Finance Commission, e
Share It

Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) 2025 Summit

The 2025 SCO Heads of State Summit was held in Tianjin, China, marking a significant moment for the organization’s expanding role on the global stage. Key Highlights: Terrorism:
Share It

Production Gap Report 2025

The Production Gap Report 2025 reveals a troubling trend: many countries are planning to increase fossil fuel production well beyond the levels needed to limit global warming to 1.5°C as per t
Share It

India's Roadmap for Fusion Power

India's Institute for Plasma Research (IPR) in Gandhinagar has recently proposed a comprehensive roadmap for the development of fusion power, marking a significant leap towards harnessing fusi
Share It

Dhvani Missile

India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is on the verge of a historic milestone with the upcoming test of Dhvani, a next-generation hypersonic missile that is set to prope
Share It

Global Innovation Index (GII) 2025

India has made remarkable strides in the field of innovation, moving up from 48th position in 2020 to 38th in 2025 among 139 global economies, according to the World Intellectual Property Organiza
Share It

Critical Minerals

India’s first auction of deep-sea blocks for the extraction of critical minerals has been delayed indefinitely after receiving a poor response from bidders. This auction was expected to be a
Share It

Newsletter Subscription


ACQ IAS
ACQ IAS