Sourced in
Ulu Muda Forest in
Sik region in northeastern Kedah, along the border with
Thailand, the river meets the water needs of the states of Kedah and
Penang. The river flows through much of Sik region, then entering the
Baling region where it meets with the Ketil river, a left-bank tributary, at
Kuala Ketil. It then flows westward, passing through the southern suburbs of Kedah's second largest city
Sungai Petani, and forming the natural boundary between
Kuala Muda District and
North Seberang Perai District on the
Penangite side. The Muda river then empties into the
Straits of Malacca at
Kota Kuala Muda (
Kuala Muda meaning lower Muda, or the
estuary of the Muda river in
Malay). ==Towns and settlements along the river basin==