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.
Krishna River
- 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.
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