The rivers of Madagascar have a rapids flow. All major rivers of the island flow from east to west.
Betsibuka river
The river bed is located in the northwestern lands of the island. The total length of the current is 525 kilometers. And this is one of the largest island rivers. Betsibuka is characterized by the distinctive reddish-brown color of its water. The explanation for this phenomenon is very simple - the waters of the river contain a large volume of sediments that the river carries into the sea.
The source of the river is located in the center of the island (north of the province of Antananarivo). The river originates at the confluence of two rivers - Amparihibe and Dzabu. After that, Betsibuka sets off to the north, taking in the waters of the Ikupa River (near the town of Maevatanana). The Betsibuka flows into the waters of the Bumbetuca Bay (Mozambique Strait), forming a delta when it falls. The river bed is navigable 130 kilometers up from the place of confluence.
The reddish-brown tint of the water in the river is a sign of an ecological disaster. The deforestation of the island's surface has accelerated the process of soil erosion. As a result, the total amount of land washed out by water is incredibly huge. And since these are mostly red lateritic soils, hence the shade of the water.
Sediments carried by the river in its waters settle at the bottom of the Betsibuk estuary. And this is one of the reasons for the silting of the bottom of the Bumbetuka Bay. It is for this reason that the port of the city of Mahajanga, located here, was moved to the outer coast of the island, since there was a threat of landing ocean-going ships aground.
Mangoki river
The river runs through the lands of the southwestern part of the island. The total length of the Mangoki current is 564 kilometers. And it is the longest river in Madagascar.
The source is located in the province of Fianarantsoa (slopes of the Central Ridge). The river then flows westward, passing through the lands of the Tuliara province. The place of confluence is the waters of the Mozambique Strait (near the city of Morombe). When it flows into it, it forms a large delta.
The Mangoki channel runs through difficult terrain. The southern part of the delta is rich in barrier islands, shoals and alluvial spits. The northern part of the delta offers numerous marshes and mangroves.
Maninguri river
The Maninguri River is located in the eastern part of Madagascar and has a total length of 260 kilometers. The source of the river is in Lake Alautra. The total area of the river basin is 12,645 square kilometers. The river is characterized by a turbulent current. The place of confluence is the waters of the Indian Ocean (near the city of Ampasina).
