- The Damodar river rises in the hills of the Chhotanagpur plateau and flows through a rift valley.
- Rich in mineral resources, the valley is home to large-scale mining and industrial activity.
- It has a number of tributaries and sub-tributaries, such as Barakar, Konar, Bokaro, Haharo, etc.
- The Barakar is the most important tributary of the Damodar.
- Several dams have been constructed in the valley, for the generation of hydroelectric power. The valley is called “the Ruhr of India”.
- It used to cause devastating floods as a result of which it earned the name ‘Sorrow of Bengal’.
- It joins the Hugli River 48 km below Kolkata.