the State of Manipur, there are two major river basins, viz.
the Barak River Basin and the Manipur River Basin. The total
water resources of the two basins have been estimated to be
1.8487 million hectare metre in the form of annual yield.
Barak river originates from the northern hills and is joined
by a number of tributaries such as Irang, Maku, Tuivai, etc.
and thereafter enters Cachar District of Assam. The Manipur
river basin has eight major rivers such as Imphal, Iril,
Nambul, Sekmai, Chakpi, Thoubal and Khuga. All these rivers
originate from the surrounding hills. Almost all the rivers in
the valley area are in the mature stage and, therefore,
deposit the load in the Loktak lake.
rivers draining the Manipur Hill Area are comparatively young
due to the hilly terrain through which they flow. These rivers
are corrosive in nature and assume turbulent form in rainy
season. Important rivers draining the western area include
Maku, Barak, Jiri, Irang and Leimatak. Rivers draining the
eastern part of the State include Chamu, Khunou and other