What is a waterfall?
The word waterfall generally refers to the collective fall of water. Many benefits are being taken from the falls since ancient times. For the first time, the practice of running a watermill by the falls. In the mountainous regions, the watermills are run exclusively by the waterfalls and people get the grinding done by the watermills only.
When the canals were built, the first water mills were installed on the waterfalls, so that in addition to irrigation, flour could be made available. Then when the development of hydroelectricity took place, big machines were installed on the waterfalls to generate hydroelectricity.
How do waterfalls originate?
There are two types of origin of waterfalls:
- Natural waterfall
- Artificial waterfall
1. What is a natural waterfall?
Natural waterfalls often occur in mountainous areas, where the fluctuations of the surface are high. In the rainy season, small and big waterfalls are often seen in all the hilly areas, in some areas, due to the comparatively hard and soft ground level, erosion by running water creates a fall in the ground at the same place. And sometimes in normal flat areas, waterfalls are formed naturally.
As the velocity of the water increases, driven by the gravity of the earth, so does its potential for erosion of the ground level and the fall becomes larger. This process continues until some natural equilibrium is reached, and the extent of the falls is stabilized.
2. What is an artificial waterfall called?
Artificial falls are often built on canals. Where canals are made for traffic, falls are made to reduce the velocity of the water and the movement of boats is done through locks. Sometimes such locks are made in rivers also.
Waterfalls are also made in canals made for land irrigation so that the velocity of water can be reduced. Many such falls have been built on the Ganges and Sharda canals of Uttar Pradesh. Waterfalls are also made on the canals of other states. Let us know which waterfall of India is located where:-
List of names and heights of major waterfalls of India:
| Waterfall | Height (in meters and feet) | Place |
| Vajrai Falls | 560 m (1,840 ft) | Satara District, Maharashtra |
| Kunchikal Falls | 455 m (1,493 ft) | Shimoga District, Karnataka |
| Berapani Falls | 399 m (1,309 ft) | Mayurbhanj District, Odisha |
| Nohkalikai Falls | 340 m (1115 ft) | East Khasi Hills District, Meghalaya |
| Nohshangthiang Falls or Mawsmai Falls | 315 m (1,033 ft) | East Khasi Hills District, Meghalaya |
| Dudhsagar Falls | 310 m (1017 ft) | Karnataka and Goa |
| Keenrem Falls | 305 m (1,001 ft) | East Khasi Hills District, Meghalaya |
| Meenmutty Falls | 300 meters (984 feet) | Wayanad District, Kerala |
| Thaliyar Falls | 297 m (974 ft) | Batlagundu, Dindigul District, Tamil Nadu |
| Barkana Falls | 259 m (850 ft) | Shimoga District, Karnataka |
| Jog Falls | 253 m (830 ft) | Shimoga District, Karnataka |
| Khandadhar Falls | 244 m (801 ft) | Kendujhar District and Sundergarh District, Odisha |
| Vantwang Falls | 229 m (751 ft) | Serchhip District, Mizoram |
| Kune Falls | 200 m (660 ft) | Pune District, Maharashtra |
| Sochipara Falls, Veghar Falls | 200 m (656 ft) | Wayanad District, Kerala, Satara District Maharashtra |
| Magod Falls | 198 meters (650 feet) | Uttara Kannada District, Karnataka |
| Joranda Falls | 181 m (594 ft) | Mayurbhanj District, Odisha |
| Hebbe Falls | 168 m (551 ft) | Chikkamagaluru District, Karnataka |
| Duduma Falls | 157 m (515 ft) | Boundary of Koraput and Visakhapatnam districts of the states of Odisha and Andhra Pradesh |
| Palani Falls | 150 m (490 ft) | Kullu District, Himachal Pradesh |
| Lodh Falls | 143 m (469 ft) | Latehar District, Jharkhand |
| Bahuti Falls | 198 meters (650 feet) | Mauganj, Rewa District, Madhya Pradesh |
| Bishop Falls | 135 m (443 ft) | East Khasi Hills District, Meghalaya |
| Chachai Falls | 130 m (430 ft) | Rewa District, Madhya Pradesh |
| KOT Falls | 130 m (430 ft) | Rewa District, Madhya Pradesh |
| Kalahatti Falls | 122 meters (400 feet) | Chikkamagaluru District, Karnataka |
| Langxiang Falls | 85 m (279 ft) | West Khasi Hills District, Meghalaya |
| Talakona falls | 82 m (269 ft) | Chittoor District, Andhra Pradesh |
| Kakolat Falls | 50 meters (160 feet) | Nawada District, Bihar |
| Athirappilly Falls | 25 meters (82 feet) | Thrissur District, Kerala |
| Tirathgarh Falls | 91 m (299 ft) | Bastar District, Chhattisgarh |
| Kedumri Falls | 91 m (299 ft) | Udupi District, Karnataka |
| Muthyala Madhuvu Falls | 91 m (299 ft) | Bangalore Rural District, Karnataka |
| Kiliyur Falls | 91 m (299 ft) | Yercaud, Tamil Nadu |
Now practice related questions and see what you learnt?
☞ Waterfalls of India GK Questions and Answers 🔗
Read also:
- List of World's Highest Waterfalls, Height and Respetive Country 🔗
- List of Highest Waterfalls in the World their Height & Country 🔗
- Ocean Trenches of The World 🔗
- List of State Wise Imporantant Lakes in India 🔗
Major Falls FAQs:
Kunchikal Falls is the highest waterfall in India, and it is located in the state of Karnataka. Kunchikal Falls has a total height of about 1,493 feet (455 m) and is formed by the Varahi River. It is considered to be the highest waterfall in India and one of the highest waterfalls in Asia.
Shivanasamudram Falls is a water fall situated on the river Kaveri where water falls from a height of 98 meters. It is used for hydroelectric power generation. The hydro power house established on this is the first hydro power house in Asia which was established in 1902.
The 'Jog Falls' has been awarded to mark the Best Holiday Award-2017 for the country's favorite waterfall. Jog Falls is located in the state of Karnataka, India and is the highest waterfall in India. It is considered one of the major tourist destinations of India, and is famous for its picturesque natural beauty.
The water at the bottom of the waterfall is slightly warmer than at the top because the gravitational potential energy is first converted into kinetic energy of the falling water, and finally into heat energy as it comes to rest at the bottom.
Victoria Falls is a waterfall located on the Zambezi River in Africa. This waterfall is considered one of the seven natural wonders of the world.