Drainage System (India) — Practice

Question 1

Why are Himalayan rivers called perennial while Peninsular rivers are called seasonal?

Accepted Answer

Himalayan rivers are FED BY TWO SOURCES: (1) glacial meltwater (continuous, increases in summer) and (2) monsoon rain. Even in winter when monsoon stops, glacier melt continues — hence they flow year-round (perennial). Peninsular rivers depend ENTIRELY on monsoon rainfall. When the monsoon ends (September-October), their flow diminishes sharply. By March-May, many are reduced to trickles or dry up completely — hence seasonal (intermittent/non-perennial).

Question 2

Describe the major tributaries of the Ganga River and their significance, including the Kosi River.

Accepted Answer

The Ganga system has two groups of tributaries: LEFT BANK (from Himalayas, perennial): Ramganga, Gomti, Ghaghara (Karnali), Gandak, Kosi. RIGHT BANK (from Peninsular Plateau, seasonal): Chambal, Betwa, Ken, Son. The YAMUNA is the longest tributary — it originates from Yamunotri glacier and meets the Ganga at Prayagraj (the famous Triveni Sangam with mythical Saraswati). THE KOSI RIVER originates in Nepal and is called the 'Sorrow of Bihar' because it shifts its course dramatically (it has shifted ~120 km westward over 200 years), causing catastrophic floods in Bihar nearly every monsoon. The Ganga, draining an area of ~860,000 km² (the largest basin in India), and its tributaries have built the fertile Ganga Plains over millions of years — the most densely populated river basin in the world.

Question 3

Compare and contrast Himalayan and Peninsular rivers under the headings: source, course character, basin characteristics, valley type, and economic significance.

Accepted Answer

HIMALAYAN RIVERS: Source = Glaciers + monsoon rain (Ganga from Gangotri, Brahmaputra from Chemayungdung, Indus from near Mansarovar). Perennial — flow year-round. Course character = long (Ganga 2,525 km; Brahmaputra 2,900 km total); youthful in upper course (gorge-cutting), mature-old in lower reaches (wide meanders, floodplains). Basin = LARGE (Ganga basin 860,000 km² — largest in India). Valley = Deep V-shaped gorges in Himalayas; wide flat floodplains in plains. Mouth = LARGE DELTAS (Ganga-Brahmaputra Sundarbans delta = world's largest). Economic importance = Irrigates Indo-Gangetic Plains (India's food bowl); hydropower in Himalayan gorges; navigation in lower reaches. PENINSULAR RIVERS: Source = Rain-fed only; no glaciers. Seasonal — flow mainly during and after monsoon. Course character = shorter (Godavari 1,465 km; Krishna 1,400 km); mostly MATURE stage — fixed channels, gentle gradient, hard rocky beds with little meandering. Valley = Shallow, broad, V-shaped in some sections. Mouth = DELTAS for east-flowing (Godavari, Krishna, Mahanadi, Kaveri); ESTUARIES for west-flowing (Narmada, Tapi). Economic importance = Irrigation and hydropower in peninsular India; east-flowing deltas are major rice-growing areas. KEY CONTRAST: Himalayan rivers build land (deposit alluvium over millions of years, creating the Northern Plains); Peninsular rivers are older, have eroded their valleys, and flow through hard rock with minimal deposition.

Practice — Drainage System (India)

Sign in to save attempts to your dashboard and track your accuracy over time

Find a verified tutor

Join a live course

Browse coaching centres

About

Categories

Support

Documentation

Get Study Tips & Updates

Download Our App

Download for iOS

Download for Android

Popular Cities