Vamsadhara River

Vamsadhara
Banshadhara
River
Vamsadhara River as seen from Salihundam in Srikakulam district
Country	India
Source	Thuamul Rampur
Discharge	for Bay of Bengal
- average	25 m3/s (883 cu ft/s)

River Vamsadhara is an important east flowing river between Rushikulya and Godavari, in Odisha and Andhra Pradesh states in India.

The river originates in the border of Thuamul Rampur in the Kalahandi district and Kalyansinghpur in Rayagada district of Odisha and runs for a distance of about 254 kilometers, where it joins the Bay of Bengal at Kalingapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. The total catchement area of the river basin is about 10,830 square kilometers.

Tourist attractions of Mukhalingam and Kalingapatnam in Srikakulam district are located on the banks of this river.

Mahendra Tanayais a major tributary river of Vamsadhara originating in Gajapati district of Odisha and it joins Vamsadhara in Andhra Pradesh upstream of Gotta barrage. Regulapadu barrage in Andhra Pradesh is under construction to divert the river water for irrigation use.

Vamsadhara river basin occupies 8015 square kilometers in Odisha and the remaining 2815 km² flows in Andhra Pradesh. The river basin receives high annual average rainfall of magnitude 1400 mm. The portion lying in Rayagada district of Odisha is predominantly hilly and tribal populated area. Andhra Pradesh and Odisha roughly estimated that 115 thousand million cubic feet (TMC) water is available for use in the river. They entered into agreements to use the available river water in 50:50 ratio. Andhra Pradesh has taken up Gotta barrage and Neredi barrage projects to put its share of water for use. However Odisha has not taken up new projects in the basin area to utilize its share of water. In fact it is diverting Vamsadhara river waters to adjacent Rushikulya river basin by constructing Harabhangi dam without taking prior consent from Andhra Pradesh. Also, Orissa has raised objections to Neredi barrage project on the grounds of land submergence in its territory.