Dhanbad

The southern part of the district is largely comprised of undulating land. The general slope is from west to east, the direction followed by the two major rivers, Damodar and Barakar. The climate of the district is characterised by general dryness. It is very pleasant during the cold weather from November to February. Thereafter the climate becomes warm. It remains hot until the monsoon breaks towards the middle of June. With the setting in of rains the temperature falls and humidity rises, July to October are the rainy months. July and August are the wettest months. The average rainfall during July is 287 mm and that in August 445 mm. The average annual rain fall in the district is approximately 1300mm.

The Damodar is the most important river of the Chotanagpur plateau. It rises in Palamu and flows eastward between the plateaus of Ranchi and Hazaribag. It is joined by the Bokaro, the Konar and the Barakar rivers. The Damodar enters Dhanbad district at its confluence with the Jamunia. Further east, the Damodar is joined by the Katri River which rises in the foot hills below Parasnath and traverses through the Coal-field Area. The Damodar flows for about 77 km. through the district being joined by the Barakar at its eastern border near Chirkunda. The Panchet dam extending to roughly 6 km is built on river Damodar. The hydal station there generates 40,000 K.W. per hour (sicsic).

The Barakar, which forms the northern boundary of the district, traverses about 77 km.In the district. It flows in south westerly direction up to Durgapur and then south till it joins the Damodar near Chirkuda. The Maithon dam is located on this river about 13 km off its confluence with the Damodar. Attached to it is the Maithan Power Station with a generating capacity of 60,000 K.W.H. Among other small rivers in the district are Gobai, the Ijri, and the Khudia besides the river Katri.

The total forest area is 20779.42 hac and out of this 132.94 hac area has been delivered to Maithan Power Ltd. Hence total area of the division is 20646.48 hac. Out of the total geographical area of the district, only 7.6% of the total geographical area of this Division is under Forest cover which is much less than what is envisaged under National Forest Policy issued by Govt. of India. As Bokaro Forest Division has been carved out from Dhanbad Forest Division in the year 1997. At present the Range wise detail of the forest area under this division is as follows:

Dhanbad Forest Division consists of three Forest Ranges i.e.Tundi Range, Topchanchi Range & Urban Forest Range, Dhanbad. There are 8 Forest Beats and 37 Sub-Beats. Total forest area under Dhanbad forest division is 20646.48 ha. in which Reserved forest area is 9638.75 ha and Protected forests area is 11325.92 ha. Dhanbad district has many tourism places peculiar being Wildlife Sanctuary Topchanchi, Maithon Dam, Panchet Dam, Bhantinda Fall etc. The main species of trees found in Dhanbad forest division are Sal, Mahuwa, Karam, Palash etc. Tundi Pahar is a natural habitat of Wild Life and Elephant, Monkey, Jackal, Snakes, Peacock etc. are some of the wildlife found in Dhanbad Division. Damodar and Barakar are two major rivers of Dhanbad.