The Kanhar river is a tributary of the Son River and flows through the Indian states of Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand and Uttar Pradesh.

Course

The Kanhar originates at Gidha-Dhodha on the Khudia plateau in Jashpur district of Chhattisgarh. It initially flows north forming the boundary with Garhwa district in Palamu division of Jharkhand. Thereafter, it flows for about 100 km through Surguja district of Chhattisgarh. Subsequently, it runs parallel to the Son in Garhwa district and turns north-west and flowing through Sonbhadra district in Mirzapur division of Uttar Pradesh. It converges with the Son River to the north-east of the village of Kota. It has a rocky bed almost 75% of its course of 400 km. A rapid mountain torrent, flowing through forested areas, it is a dangerous stream.

Tributaries

The tributaries of the Kanhar are: Thema, Lanva, Pandu, Goita, Hathinala, Suria, Chana, Sendur, Kursa, Galphulla, Semarkhar, Riger and the Cherna Nallah.

Waterfalls

A number of waterfalls are located along the track of the river. Pavai Falls near Kothali village (Balrampur) is of about 61 m. Gur-Sindhu Falls is located in Chinia Community block, some 40 km from Garhwa. Sukhal dari Falls is 100 ft high. It located near the meeting point of the borders of Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand and Uttar Pradesh.

Projects

Kanhar Hydroelectric Project and Kanhar River Development Scheme are centred on Kanhar Reservoir at Baradih in Garhwa district. There is another dam/ reservoir near Chinia village. The Kanhar Sinchai Pariyojana is located downstream of the confluence of the Pagan River with the Kanhar near village Sugawaman in Tehsil Dudhi of Sonebhadra district.