Tapi

Tapi, also spelled Tapti, is a major westward-flowing river in central India. It arises in the Betul district of Madhya Pradesh, near Multai, and generally travels west through parts of Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Gujarat before draining into the Arabian Sea via the Gulf of Khambhat near Surat. Its westward course distinguishes it from many of India's eastern rivers.

The Tapi basin covers portions of three states and supports extensive agricultural activity, irrigation networks, and settlements along its banks. The river's flow is regulated by dams and reservoirs, the most notable being the Ukai Dam (also known as Tapi Dam) near Songadh in Gujarat, which provides irrigation water and hydroelectric power. The lower reaches of the Tapi form a tidal estuary and delta near the Gulf of Khambhat, influencing coastal ecosystems and local fisheries.

Historically and culturally, the Tapi has been an important resource for communities in its basin, shaping agricultural practices and local trade. The river’s catchment supports towns and rural areas that rely on its waters for irrigation and livelihood. In hydrological terms, Tapi is one of the few major Indian rivers that drains west into the Arabian Sea rather than east toward the Bay of Bengal, contributing to the region’s ecological and economic landscape.

Alternate spellings include Tapti, reflecting regional language usage. The Tapi river system remains a focal point for water management in central India and the western coast, with continued emphasis on balancing irrigation, flood control, and ecological health.