Major Rivers of India's Deccan Plateau

The Deccan Plateau's drainage is dominated by east-flowing rivers (to Bay of Bengal) and two west-flowing (to Arabian Sea). Key rivers:

East-Flowing (Bay of Bengal)

• Godavari (1,465 km) – "Dakshina Ganga," largest peninsular basin.
• Krishna (1,400 km) – Major irrigation, hydro.
• Bhima – Krishna tributary, Maharashtra/Karnataka.
• Tungabhadra – Krishna tributary, Karnataka/Andhra.
• Wainganga – Godavari tributary, central India.
• Penganga – Wardha/Godavari system.
• Indravati – Godavari tributary, Chhattisgarh/Odisha.
• Sabari – Godavari tributary, Odisha/Andhra.

West-Flowing (Arabian Sea)

• Narmada (1,312 km) – Rift valley, marble rocks, Sardar Sarovar Dam.
• Tapti (Tapi) (724 km) – Parallel to Narmada, Surat port.

These rivers define Deccan agriculture, culture, and hydro-politics.