Study of drainage pattern of Raniganj Coalfield (Burdwan district) as observed on Landsat-TM/IRS LISS II imagery

Drainage pattern of Raniganj Coalfield basin has been mapped as observed on false colour composites of Landsat TM and IRS-LISS II imagery and their characteristics have been interpreted in terms of basin morphology, surface materials and underlying rock types. The drainage system of the region is composed of 3 perennial rivers with 15 ephemeral nalas and jhors which as a whole flows on recent peneplain basin. Although, on an average, nalas and jhors of the area have smaller stream length and with smaller basinal area but they hold sufficient amount of water during monsoon and therefore by effective planning and management, surface water resources could be enhanced in the region.