Shilabati River

The Shilabati River (also known as Silai) originates in the terrain of the Chhota Nagpur Plateau in the Purulia district of the state of West Bengal in eastern India. It flows in an almost southeasterly direction through the districts of Bankura and West Midnapore. The Shilabati joins the Dwarakeswar near Ghatal and afterwards is known as Rupnarayan. It finally joins the Hooghly River and empties into the Bay of Bengal.

Those living along the Shilabati are mostly farmers who depend on the river for irrigation. A large number of fishermen also earn their livelihood from the river. The Shilabati is also used as waterway for transporting goods and passengers.

Almost every year the Shilabati causes flooding, particularly in Banka, Khirpai and Ghatal area. There is a small reservoir on the Shilabati near Khatra known as Kadam Deuli Dam where a canal from Mukutmanipur Kangsabati dam meets.

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