Why in the News?

Flood discharges at Prakasam Barrage on the Krishna River has led to the closure of Bhavani Island from the mainland.

About Bhavani Island:

Location: Situated on the Krishna River, near Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh.
Area: Spans ~133 acres, among India’s largest river islands.
Management: Operated by the Andhra Pradesh Tourism Department as a major eco-tourism and recreational hub.
Accessibility: Lies upstream of Prakasam Barrage, connected only by ferry services from the mainland.
Ecology & Features: Rich in greenery, ponds, and meadows, offering boating, gardens, adventure parks, rural museums, and event spaces.
Cultural Link: Named after Goddess Bhavani (Kanaka Durga); her temple atop Indrakeeladri Hill overlooks the river.

Floods force closure of Bhavani Island

Overview: One of India’s major peninsular rivers, stretching about 1,400 km.
Origin & Course: Rises near Mahabaleshwar (Maharashtra), flows eastward through Karnataka, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh, entering the Bay of Bengal at Hamsaladeevi.
Basin Extent: Covers ~2.59 lakh sq km, nearly 8% of India’s area.
Boundaries: Flanked by Balaghat Range (north), Eastern Ghats (east), and Western Ghats (west).
Tributaries:
- Right Bank: Ghataprabha, Malaprabha, Tungabhadra, and Musi Rivers.
- Left Bank: Bhima, Koyna, Yerla, Panchganga, and Dudhganga Rivers.
Projects & Dams: Major hydropower and irrigation structures including Almatti, Srisailam, Nagarjuna Sagar, Narayanpur, and Jurala.
Prakasam Barrage: Built near Vijayawada to regulate water flow, support irrigation, navigation, and tourism.
Economic Role: Sustains agriculture, fisheries, and power generation, forming the riverine backbone of southern India.