Q: Distinguish between a tributary and a distributary.

Tributary Distributary 1. It is a stream which flows into a mainstream (or parent) river.1. It is completely reverse of a tributary which branches off and flows away from the mainstream. 2. A tributary does not flow directly into a sea, ocean or lake. 2. It may or may not fall directly into a sea, ocean or lake.3. Tributaries and the main stream river drain the surrounding drainage basin of its surface water and groundwater. 3. The distributaries normally form a delta or estuary. 4. Yamuna is tributary of the Ganga. 4. The Hooghly is a distributary of the Ganga.

Question 1

Discuss the significant difference between the Himalayan and the Peninsular rivers.

Accepted Answer

Himalayan RiversPeninsular RiversOriginate from HimalayasOriginate in the Western GhatsThese are perennial rivers.These are seasonal rivers.They receive water from rain as well as from melted snow from the lofty mountains.These rivers are dependent upon rainfall. During the dry season, even the large rivers have reduced flow of water

Question 2

Compare the east flowing and the west flowing riven of the peninsular plateau.

Accepted Answer

The east flowing riversThe west flowing rivers(i) The Mahanadi, the Godavari, the Krishna and the Kaveri are the major east flowing rivers of peninsular plateau.(i) The Narmada and the Tapi are the major west flowing rivers of the peninsular plateau.(ii) These rivers drain into the Bay of Bengal.(ii) These rivers drain into the Arabian Sea.(iii) These rivers form deltas on the east coast.(iii) These rivers do not form any delta. They form estuaries.(iv) These rivers have a developed and large tributary system.(iv) These rivers are devoid of any developed tributary system.

Question 3

Solve this crossword puzzle with the help of given clues.
Across
1. Nagarjuna Sagar is a river valley project. Name the river.
2. The longest river of India.
3. The river which originates from a place known as Beas Kund.
4. The river which rises in the Betul district of MP and flows westwards.
5. The river which was known as the "Sorrow" of West Bengal.
6. The river on which the reservoir for Indira Gandhi canal has been built.
7. The river whose source lies near Rohtang Pass.
8. The longest river of Peninsular India.
Down
9. A tributary of Indus originating from Himachal Pradesh.
10. The river flowing through fault, drains into the Arabian Sea.
11. A river of south India, which receives rain water both in summer and winter.
12. A river which flows through Ladakh, Gilgit and Paldstan.
13. An important river of the Indian desert.
14. The river which joins Chenab in Pakistan.
15. A river which rises at Yamunotri glacier.

Accepted Answer

AcrossDown1. Krishna9. Chenab2. Ganga10. Narmada3. Beas11.Kaveri4. Tapi12. Indus5. Damodar13. Luni6. Satluj14. Jhelum7. Ravi15. Yamuna8. Godavari

Question 4

Name the east flowing and the west flowing rivers of the peninsular plateau.

Accepted Answer

The West flowing rivers are Narmada, Tapti, Mahi, Sabarmati, Luni, etc. The East flowing Rivers are Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna, Kaveri, etc.A large number of the South Indian rivers are seasonal as they are miffed. Most of the peninsular rivers flow eastward on the plateau-slope and drain into the Bay of Bengal. They form deltas on their mouths. The West-flowing Rivers of South India1. The Narmada (1,282 km) 2. The Tapti (740 km)3. River Mahi (503 km) 4. The Sabarmati (416 km)5. The Luni (450 km)6. Other RiversOther notable streams which flow westwards are Ulhas, Baitarani, Amba, Sabitri, Vashistha, Sharavathi, Saraswati, etc. They rise from the western flank of the Western Ghats and drains into the Arabian Sea .The East Flowing Rivers of South India1. The Mahanadi (840 km) 2. The Godavari (1,450 km)3. The Krishna (752 km) 4. The Kaveri (800 km)The other east flowing rivers of the South India are Palter, Penner, Ponnaiyar, Vaigai, Chittar and others. These rivers flow into the Bay of Bengal.

Question 5

What is meant by a water divide? Give an example.

Accepted Answer

Any elevated area, such as a mountain or an upland, separates two drainage basins. Such an upland is known as a water divide.

Question 6

Write the rivers of northern and southern India.

Accepted Answer

North India rivers are Indus and its tributaries Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Beas, Sutlej. The Ganga and its tributaries namely Yamuna, Gharghara, Gandak, Ram Ganga, Ramganga, Kosi, Mahananda, Chambal. The Brahmaputra and its tributaries like Manas, Subarnasri, Tista, etc.South Indian rivers are the Narmada, Tapi, the Mahanadi, the Godavari, the Krishna, and Kaveri and their tributaries .Differences :-1. Snow fed or Rain fed: North Indian Rivers are snow-fed river and well as rain-fed. But the South Indian Rivers are only rain-fed.2. Course: North Indian Rivers are subjected to drastic change of courses particularly after the landslides and earthquakes. But the South Indian Rivers rivers flow through stable region and do not change their courses.3. Drain areas: The drain area of North Indian rivers are geological unstable and form meanders. Whereas the drain areas of South Indian Rivers are geologically stable and are devoid of meanders.4. Suitability for Hyder power generation: The Himalayan Rivers are not suitable for the production of hydel power though their sources are in the Himalaya. But the South Indian Rivers are suitable for the production of hydel power as they are swift flowing along rugged terrain.5. Settlement of towns and cities: A large number of big towns and cities are situated on the banks of the rivers of Northern India. But a few towns and cities are situated on the banks of the South Indian Rivers.6. Stages: Most of the North Indian Rivers have distinct three stages in their course of flow &#8211; the upper, middle, and lower courses. But most of the South Indian rives have only two stages in their course of flow.7. Navigability: The middle and lower courses of these rivers are navigable for long distance. Most of the South-Indian Rivers are swift flowing and they are navigable only at the lower course.8. Flood and deltaic plains: All the North Indian rivers have developed a vast fertile flood plain. And the river Ganga has formed the largest delta at its mouth. But the South Indian Rivers have made only deltaic plains instead of flood plains.9. Sources: All the North Indian rivers have their sources at much higher altitude especially in the Himalayas. But the South Indian Rivers have their sources at much lower altitudes. 10. River flow: In winter their flow continues and is enhanced by water from the melting snows and glaciers. Whereas the flow of the South Indian rivers reduced to minimum in winter.

Question 7

The land between two rivers is called _____.

Accepted Answer

The word 'do' means two and 'ab' means water.Doab refers to the riverine island where two rivers meet. Doab is  a term used in India and Pakistan for the tongue, or tract of land lying between two converging, or confluent, rivers.

Question 8

Distinguish between a tributary and a distributary.

Accepted Answer

Tributary Distributary 1. It&#10;is a stream which flows into a mainstream (or parent) river.1. It&#10;is completely reverse of a tributary which branches off and flows away from&#10;the mainstream.  2. A&#10;tributary does not flow directly into a sea, ocean or lake. 2. It may or may not fall directly into a sea, ocean or lake.3. Tributaries&#10;and the main stream river drain the surrounding drainage basin of its surface&#10;water and groundwater. 3. The&#10;distributaries normally form a delta or estuary. 4. Yamuna&#10;is tributary of the Ganga. 4. The&#10;Hooghly is a distributary of the Ganga.

Question 9

What are perennial rivers?

Accepted Answer

The rivers that have water throughout the year are called perennial rivers. In India Himalayan Rivers like Ganga and Bhramaputra are perennial rivers. These are both rain fed and formed through melting of the glaciers.

Question 10

Largest river basin in India is of ________.

Accepted Answer

Largest river basin in India is of Ganga basin.There are 20 river basins/draining areas, large and small, in India. The Ganga basin is the largest. Narmada river is the fifth largest river and is also the largest west flowing river. Narmada basin has been shown at index 15 in the basin map.

Revise with Concepts

Introduction to Drainage System of India