Nature is very kind to Chhattisgarh in terms of rainfall as compared to several other states of the Union. Average rainfall in the state is around 1400 mm. and about 90% of the total rainfall is confined in the Monsoon season i.e. 15th June to September. The rainfall has erratic temporal and spatial distribution in the state. Due to this variation in the rainfall, the agriculture production of the state, which is mainly Paddy, is affected. In fact; every third year, there is always a threat of drought, which is due to uneven occurrence of rainfall rather than deficient rain. It is obvious that irrigation is the prime need of the state.

Mahanadi, Sheonath, Indravati, Arpa, Hasdeo, Kelo, Son, Rehar, and Kanhar are some of the main rivers providing a lifeline to the socio-economic development of the state. Most of the rivers in the state have a torrential regime characterized by high flow of water for three to four months during monsoon (June to September) during which around 80% of the annual runoff flows. Floods and droughts are the main characteristics of the annual flow of the rivers in Chhattisgarh requiring storage reservoirs for efficient use of the available surface water resources.

The total geographical area of the state is 135,097 Sq. Kms. and nearly 44% of it is covered with forests. The geographical area* of the state can be divided into five river basins –