Katihar

Katihar, formerly Saifganj, city, eastern Bihar state, northeastern India. It is situated east of the Saura River, a tributary of the Ganges (Ganga) River, about 15 miles (25 km) north of the confluence of the two rivers.

Katihar is a major road and rail junction with railway workshops and is engaged in agricultural trade. Industries include rice, jute, oilseed, and flour milling. The city has several hospitals. The surrounding region extends over the extreme eastern part of the North Bihar Plains. It is drained by the Kamala and Saura rivers and is subject to annual flooding during the summer (wet) monsoon. Its economy is predominately agricultural; wheat, jowar (grain sorghum), corn (maize), and oilseeds are grown. Pop. (2001) 175,199; (2011) 226,261.