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Geography > Indian drainage system > Flashcards

Indian drainage system Flashcards

1
Q

Drainage Pattern Definition

A

The pattern formed by river channels and their tributaries as they flow across the landscape, influenced by geology and topography.

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2
Q

Dendritic Drainage Pattern

A

Resembles the branches of a tree, with tributaries joining the main river at acute angles. Example: Ganga and its tributaries.

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3
Q

Trellis Drainage Pattern

A

Forms when tributaries flow parallel to each other and join the main river at right angles, common in folded mountains. Example: Narmada and Son rivers.

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4
Q

Radial Drainage Pattern

A

Rivers flow outward in all directions from a central point, usually from a dome or volcanic cone. Example: Rivers from Amarkantak hills (like Narmada and Son).

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5
Q

Centripetal Drainage Pattern

A

Rivers flow inward from different directions into a central depression or basin. Example: Rivers draining into Sambhar Lake, Rajasthan.

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6
Q

Rectangular Drainage Pattern

A

Forms when rivers follow fault lines or fractures in a grid-like pattern, joining at right angles. Example: Streams in the Vindhyan region.

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7
Q

Parallel Drainage Pattern

A

Rivers flow parallel to each other, typically in areas with steep slopes. Example: Small rivers along the Western Ghats.

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8
Q

Annular Drainage Pattern

A

Rivers form concentric circles around a central uplifted area, flowing along fractures or weaker rocks. Rare in India but seen in some hilly terrains.

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9
Q

Superimposed Drainage

A

Rivers cut across geological structures, maintaining their original course even when terrain changes. Example: Chambal River.

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10
Q

Antecedent Drainage

A

Rivers that existed before the uplift of land and continue to flow by cutting through rising terrain. Example: Indus and Brahmaputra rivers.

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11
Q

Consequent Drainage

A

Rivers that flow in the direction of the slope or initial uplift of the land. Example: Godavari and Krishna rivers.

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12
Q

Significance of Drainage Patterns

A

They shape the landscape, influence agriculture, determine water availability, and affect human settlements and infrastructure.

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13
Q

Ancient River: Shiwalik or Indo-Brahma

A

Geologists believe that during the Miocene period (approximately 5-24 million years ago), a mighty river called the Shiwalik or Indo-Brahma traversed the entire length of the Himalayas, from Assam to Punjab, discharging into the Gulf of Sind near lower Punjab.

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14
Q

Dismemberment into Three Systems

A

Over time, the Indo-Brahma river was divided into three major drainage systems: (i) The Indus and its tributaries in the western part, (ii) The Ganga and its Himalayan tributaries in the central part, and (iii) The Brahmaputra and its tributaries in the eastern part.

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15
Q

Causes of Dismemberment

A

The division of the Indo-Brahma river is attributed to geological events during the Pleistocene epoch, including the uplift of the Potwar Plateau (Delhi Ridge), which acted as a water divide between the Indus and Ganga systems, and the down-thrusting of the Malda gap area between the Rajmahal hills and the Meghalaya plateau, diverting the Ganga and Brahmaputra towards the Bay of Bengal.

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16
Q

Antecedent Rivers

A

Rivers such as the Indus, Satluj, and Brahmaputra are considered antecedent rivers, meaning they existed before the Himalayan uplift and maintained their course by cutting through the rising mountains, forming deep gorges.

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17
Q

Formation of Gorges and Valleys

A

As the Himalayas uplifted, rivers like the Indus and Brahmaputra carved out deep gorges through erosional activity, a process that occurred simultaneously with the mountain building.

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18
Q

Origin of the Indus River

A

The Indus River originates from a glacier near Bokhar Chu in the Tibetan region at an altitude of 4,164 meters in the Kailash Mountain range. In Tibet it is also known as “Singhi Khamban” AKA- Lions mouth

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19
Q

Course through India

A

Flowing west, the Indus enters India in the Ladakh region of Jammu and Kashmir, forming a picturesque gorge in this part.

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20
Q

Course through Pakistan

A

The Indus flows through Baltistan and Gilgit, emerging from the mountains at Attock, where it receives the Kabul River on its right bank.

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21
Q

Confluence of Panjnad

A

Near Mithankot in Pakistan, the Indus is joined by the Panjnad, a confluence of five rivers: the Satluj, Beas, Ravi, Chenab, and Jhelum.

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22
Q

Termination Point

A

The Indus River flows southward and eventually discharges into the Arabian Sea, east of Karachi.

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23
Q

Length and Basin Area

A

With a total length of 2,900 km, the Indus is one of the longest rivers in the world, covering a basin area of 1,165,000 sq. km, of which about 321,289 sq. km lies in India.

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24
Q

Indus Water Treaty (1960)

A

According to this treaty between India and Pakistan, India can utilize only 20% of the total water carried by the Indus river system, primarily for irrigation in Punjab, Haryana, and parts of Rajasthan.

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25
Jhelum River
Originates from a spring at Verinag at the foot of the Pir Panjal range in Jammu and Kashmir. Flows through Srinagar and the Wular Lake before entering Pakistan through a deep narrow gorge. Joins the Chenab River near Jhang in Pakistan.
26
Chenab River
Formed by the confluence of two streams, the Chandra and the Bhaga, near Tandi in Himachal Pradesh. Flows for about 1,180 km before entering Pakistan. Joins the Indus River near Mithankot in Pakistan.
27
Ravi River
Rises west of the Rohtang Pass in the Kullu hills of Himachal Pradesh. Flows through the Chamba valley before entering Pakistan. Joins the Chenab River near Sarai Sidhu in Pakistan.
28
Beas River
Originates from the Beas Kund near the Rohtang Pass at an elevation of 4,000 meters. Flows through the Kullu valley , From gorges at Kati and Largi in Dhaoladhar range and enters the Punjab plains. Meets the Sutlej River near Harike in Punjab.
29
Sutlej River
Originates from the Rakas tal Lake near Mansarovar in Tibet. In Tibet also known as Langchen Khambab .Enters India through the Shipki La pass in Himachal Pradesh. Flows through the Punjab plains and joins the Indus River near Mithankot in Pakistan.
30
Zaskar River
A tributary of the Indus River, it flows through the Zanskar region of Ladakh. Joins the Indus River near Nimmu in Ladakh.
31
Shyok River
Originates from the Rimo Glacier in the Karakoram Range. Flows through Ladakh and Gilgit-Baltistan before joining the Indus River.
32
Hunza River
Flows from the Hunza Valley in Gilgit-Baltistan. Joins the Gilgit River, which then merges with the Indus River.
33
Gilgit River
Originates from the Shandur Lake in Gilgit-Baltistan. Merges with the Indus River at Bunji, south of Gilgit town.
34
Kabul River
Originates in the Sanglakh Range in Afghanistan. Enters Pakistan and joins the Indus River near Attock.
35
Origin of the Ganga River
The Ganga originates from the Gangotri Glacier near Gaumukh (3,900 m) in Uttarakhand. In this region, it is known as the Bhagirathi.
36
Confluence at Devaprayag
At Devaprayag, the Bhagirathi meets the Alaknanda; from this point, it is called the Ganga.
37
Entry into the Plains
The Ganga enters the plains at Haridwar, flowing south, southeast, and east before splitting into distributaries.
38
Length and Basin Area
The Ganga has a length of 2,525 km, with its basin covering about 8.6 lakh sq. km in India.
39
Major Tributaries
Left bank: Ramganga, Gomati, Ghaghara, Gandak, Kosi, Mahananda. Right bank: Yamuna, Son.
40
Yamuna River
The Yamuna, the westernmost and longest tributary of the Ganga, originates from the Yamunotri Glacier on the western slopes of Banderpunch range (6,316 m). It joins the Ganga at Prayag (Allahabad).
41
Discharge into Bay of Bengal
The Ganga splits into distributaries, with the Bhagirathi-Hooghly flowing through West Bengal. The main stream enters Bangladesh, joining the Brahmaputra, and is known as the Padma before emptying into the Bay of Bengal.
42
Chambal River
The Chambal rises near Mhow in the Malwa plateau of Madhya Pradesh. It flows northwards through a gorge up to Kota in Rajasthan, where the Gandhisagar dam has been constructed. It joins the Yamuna in Uttar Pradesh.
43
Betwa River
Originating in the Vindhyan range in Madhya Pradesh, the Betwa flows north-east through Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh to join the Yamuna near Hamirpur.
44
Ken River
The Ken rises in the Kaimur hills in Madhya Pradesh and flows north to join the Yamuna in Uttar Pradesh, south-west of Prayagraj (Allahabad).
45
Son River
The Son originates near Amarkantak in Madhya Pradesh. It flows north-northwest through Madhya Pradesh before turning eastward, joining the Ganga near Patna in Bihar.
46
Ramganga River
The Ramganga originates in the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand. It flows south-west and joins the Ganga near Kannauj in Uttar Pradesh.
47
Gomati River
The Gomati rises in the Gomat Taal (Fulhaar Jheel) near Madhoganj in Uttar Pradesh. It flows southeast to join the Ganga near Saidpur in Uttar Pradesh.
48
Ghaghara River
Originating in the glaciers of Mapchachungo in Tibet, the Ghaghara enters India in Uttar Pradesh. It joins the Ganga downstream of Chhapra in Bihar. Deep gorges at Shishapani
49
Gandak River
The Gandak comprises two streams, namely Kaligandak and Trishulganga. It rises in the Nepal Himalayas between the Dhaulagiri and Mount Everest and drains the central part of Nepal. It enters the Ganga plain in Champaran district of Bihar and joins the Ganga at Sonpur near Patna.
50
Kosi River
The Kosi is an antecedent river with its source to the north of Mount Everest in Tibet, where its main stream Arun rises. After crossing the Central Himalayas in Nepal, it is joined by the Son Kosi from the west and the Tamur Kosi from the east. After entering India, it joins the Ganga near Kursela in Bihar.
51
Mahananda River
The Mahananda originates in the Darjeeling hills in West Bengal. It flows southwards through Bihar and joins the Ganga near Katihar in Bihar.
52
Evolution of the Peninsular Drainage System
The Peninsular drainage system evolved through three major geological events: (1) Subsidence of the western flank, submerging parts under the sea; (2) Himalayan uplift causing trough faulting, creating west-flowing rivers like Narmada and Tapi; (3) Tilting of the Peninsular block towards the southeast, directing most rivers to flow east into the Bay of Bengal. These changes shaped the stable, mature rivers with fixed courses and broad valleys seen today.
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Front
Back
54
Godavari River System
**Origin:** Trimbakeshwar, Maharashtra. **Drainage:** Flows eastward across the Deccan Plateau, draining into the Bay of Bengal. **States:** Maharashtra, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Odisha. **Notable Features:** Forms a fertile delta before emptying into the Bay of Bengal. **Key Tributaries:** Left Bank - Pranhita, Indravati, Sabari; Right Bank - Manjira, Purna.
55
Krishna River System
**Origin:** Mahabaleshwar, Maharashtra. **Drainage:** Flows southeast, emptying into the Bay of Bengal. **States:** Maharashtra, Karnataka, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh. **Notable Features:** The river delta merges with that of the Godavari, extending into the sea. **Key Tributaries:** Left Bank - Bhima, Musi; Right Bank - Tungabhadra, Koyna.
56
Kaveri (Cauvery) River System
**Origin:** Talakaveri, Karnataka. **Drainage:** Flows southeast, draining into the Bay of Bengal. **States:** Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Puducherry. **Notable Features:** Forms the Shivanasamudra Falls in Karnataka and the Hogenakkal Falls in Tamil Nadu. **Key Tributaries:** Left Bank - Hemavati, Kabini; Right Bank - Bhavani, Amaravati.
57
Mahanadi River System
**Origin:** Sihawa, Chhattisgarh. **Drainage:** Flows eastward, emptying into the Bay of Bengal. **States:** Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh. **Notable Features:** Hirakud Dam, one of the longest earthen dams in the world, is built on this river. **Key Tributaries:** Left Bank - Seonath, Hasdeo; Right Bank - Jonk, Tel.
58
Narmada River System
**Origin:** Amarkantak Plateau, Madhya Pradesh. **Drainage:** Flows westward through a rift valley, draining into the Arabian Sea. **States:** Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat. **Notable Features:** Dhuandhar Falls near Jabalpur and the Sardar Sarovar Dam in Gujarat. **Key Tributaries:** Left Bank - Burhner, Banjar; Right Bank - Hiran, Tawa.
59
Tapi (Tapti) River System
**Origin:** Satpura Range, Madhya Pradesh. **Drainage:** Flows westward, emptying into the Arabian Sea. **States:** Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat. **Notable Features:** Flows through a rift valley parallel to the Narmada River. **Key Tributaries:** Left Bank - Purna; Right Bank - Girna, Panjhra.
60
Sabarmati River System
**Origin:** Aravalli Range, Rajasthan. **Drainage:** Flows southwest, draining into the Gulf of Khambhat. **States:** Rajasthan, Gujarat. **Notable Features:** The riverfront in Ahmedabad is a notable urban development along its banks. **Key Tributaries:** Left Bank - Wakal; Right Bank - Hathmati, Sei.
61
Mahi River System
**Origin:** Vindhya Range, Madhya Pradesh. **Drainage:** Flows westward, emptying into the Gulf of Khambhat. **States:** Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat. **Notable Features:** Noted for crossing the Tropic of Cancer twice. **Key Tributaries:** Left Bank - Som, Anas; Right Bank - Banas, Panam.
62
Luni River System
**Origin:** Aravalli Range, Rajasthan. **Drainage:** Flows southwest, terminating in the Rann of Kutch. **States:** Rajasthan, Gujarat. **Notable Features:** Known as a saline river, especially in its lower reaches. **Key Tributaries:** Left Bank - Jawai; Right Bank - Sukri, Bandi.
63
Pennar River System
**Origin:** Nandi Hills, Karnataka. **Drainage:** Flows eastward, draining into the Bay of Bengal. **States:** Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh. **Notable Features:** The river supports several irrigation projects along its course. **Key Tributaries:** Left Bank - Chitravathi; Right Bank - Papagni, Kunderu.
64
Periyar River System
**Origin:** Western Ghats, Kerala. **Drainage:** Flows westward, emptying into the Arabian Sea. **States:** Kerala. **Notable Features:** The Periyar Lake, formed by the Mullaperiyar Dam, is a significant tourist attraction. **Key Tributaries:** Left Bank - Muthirapuzha; Right Bank - Mullayar, Cheruthoni.
65
Vaigai River System
**Origin:** Varusanadu Hills, Tamil Nadu. **Drainage:** Flows southeast, draining into the Palk Strait. **States:** Tamil Nadu. **Notable Features:** The river passes through Madurai, often referred to as the 'City of Temples'. **Key Tributaries:** Left Bank - Suruli; Right Bank - Kirudhumal.
66
Bhima River System
**Origin:** Bhimashankar Hills, Maharashtra. **Drainage:** Flows southeast, joining the Krishna River. **States:** Maharashtra, Karnataka, Telangana. **Notable Features:** The Ujani Dam near Solapur creates a large reservoir on this river. **Key Tributaries:** Left Bank - Sina; Right Bank - Nira, Mula-Mutha.
67
Tungabhadra River System
**Origin:** Confluence of Tunga and Bhadra rivers in Karnataka. **Drainage:** Flows eastward, joining the Krishna River. **States:** Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana. **Notable Features:** The Tungabhadra Dam near Hospet is a multipurpose dam providing irrigation and electricity. **Key Tributaries:** Left Bank - Handri; Right Bank - Vedavati, Varada.
68
Sharavathi River System
**Origin:** Ambutheertha, Karnataka. **Drainage:** Flows westward, emptying into the Arabian Sea. **States:** Karnataka. **Notable Features:** Forms the Jog Falls, one of the highest plunge waterfalls in India. **Key Tributaries:** Left Bank - Nandihole; Right Bank - Haridravathi.

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