The terrain is highly undulating and there are existence of many rivers and streams. The forest cover of the district is 1.35 lakh hectares out of the total 5.21 lakh hectares of land i.e. round 27% of the total area of the district. 

      There are three major rivers, which flow through the Gumla district viz. South Koyel, North Koyel and Shankh River. There are various streams/ tributaries to the main rivers on which there are some picturesque waterfalls. 

      Sisai, Bharno and Kamdara blocks have plain lands while other areas are mostly undulating in nature. There is a hill range named as 'Ghera-pahar', which starts from Palkot block area and continues to Bishunpur block area. These elevated plateau areas of Bishunpur and Ghaghra blocks are locally known as 'PAT' area. These PAT areas are made-up of volcanic rock. The average height of these PAT areas is about 2500 ft. to 3000 ft. above the mean sea level. 

      Gumla district enjoys a good climate characterized by a pleasant cold and temperate weather conditions. The average temperature is about 23 degree celsius. Earlier the average annual rainfall in the district was 1400-1600 mm. but the recent statistics has shown a decline in the average annual rainfall to about 1000-1100 mm.