Directions: Read the passage and answer the questions that follow. The drainage systems of India are mainly controlled by the broad relief features of the subcontinent. Accordingly, the Indian rivers are divided into two major groups: the Himalayan rivers; and the Peninsular rivers. Apart from originating from the two major physiographic regions of India, the Himalayan and the Peninsular rivers are different from each other in many ways. Most of the Himalayan rivers are perennial. It means that they have water throughout the year. These rivers receive water from rain as well as from melted snow from the lofty mountains. The major Himalayan rivers are the Indus, the Ganga and the Brahmaputra. These rivers are long and are joined by many large and important tributaries. A river along with its tributaries may be called a river system. The two major Himalayan rivers, the Indus and the Brahmaputra originate from the north of the mountain ranges. They cut through the mountains making gorges in the upper course. The perennial Himalayan rivers have long courses from their source to the sea. They perform an intensive erosional activity in their upper courses and carry huge loads of silt and sand with their swift current. In the middle and the lower courses, these rivers form meanders, oxbow lakes, levees and many other depositional features in their floodplains as their speed slackens. They also have well-developed deltas. A large number of the Peninsular rivers like the Godavari, Kaveri and Krishna are seasonal, as their flow is dependent on rainfall. During the dry season when it doesn’t rain, even the large rivers have reduced flow of water in their channels. The Peninsular rivers have shorter and shallower courses as compared to their Himalayan counterparts. However, some of them originate in the central highlands and flow towards the west. Most of the rivers of peninsular India originate in the Western Ghats and flow towards the Bay of Bengal.
Himalayan rivers are never dry because they:
are fed by glaciers and rainfall
Understanding Himalayan River Characteristics
The passage describes the two major river systems of India: the Himalayan rivers and the Peninsular rivers. A key difference highlighted is the perennial nature of most Himalayan rivers, meaning they have water throughout the year. The question asks for the reason behind this characteristic.
Analyzing the Perennial Nature of Himalayan Rivers
According to the passage, Himalayan rivers remain perennial because they receive water from two sources:
- Rainfall
- Melted snow from the lofty mountains
Melted snow from high mountains is essentially water from glaciers and permanent snowfields. This continuous supply from melting ice and snow, combined with rainfall, ensures that these rivers maintain a significant flow even during dry seasons when rainfall is scarce. This contrasts with Peninsular rivers, which are primarily seasonal and dependent on rainfall, leading to reduced flow or dryness during non-monsoon periods.
Evaluating the Given Options
Let's examine each option based on the information provided in the passage:
- have a shorter and shallower course: The passage explicitly states that Himalayan rivers have "long courses". This option contradicts the passage.
- are dependent on rainfall only: The passage clearly states that Himalayan rivers receive water from "rain as well as from melted snow". Thus, they are not dependent on rainfall only. This option is incorrect.
- are fed by glaciers and rainfall: The passage mentions water from "rain as well as from melted snow from the lofty mountains". Melted snow from lofty mountains comes from glaciers and permanent snow cover. This option accurately reflects the dual sources of water mentioned in the passage that make Himalayan rivers perennial.
- originate in the Western Ghats: The passage states that most Peninsular rivers originate in the Western Ghats. It mentions that the Indus and Brahmaputra (major Himalayan rivers) originate north of the mountain ranges and cut through mountains. This option is incorrect for Himalayan rivers.
Based on the analysis of the passage, the reason Himalayan rivers are never dry (perennial) is that they are fed by both rainfall and melted snow from glaciers in the mountains.
Conclusion on Himalayan Rivers Being Perennial
The perennial nature of Himalayan rivers, unlike the seasonal Peninsular rivers, is a direct result of their water sources. The consistent contribution from melting glaciers and snow throughout the year, supplemented by rainfall, ensures a continuous flow, preventing them from drying up.
| Characteristic | Himalayan Rivers | Peninsular Rivers |
|---|---|---|
| Perennial Nature | Mostly Perennial (water throughout the year) | Mostly Seasonal (flow dependent on rainfall) |
| Water Source | Rainfall and melted snow/glaciers | Primarily rainfall |
| Course Length | Long courses | Shorter and shallower courses |
| Origin (Examples) | North of mountain ranges (Indus, Brahmaputra) | Central Highlands, Western Ghats (Godavari, Krishna) |
Revision Table: Key Differences in Indian Rivers
| Feature | Himalayan Rivers | Peninsular Rivers |
|---|---|---|
| Flow | Perennial | Seasonal |
| Source | Glaciers & Rainfall | Rainfall |
| Course | Long & Deep | Short & Shallow |
| Erosion/Deposition | Intensive erosion (upper), features like meanders, oxbow lakes, deltas (middle/lower) | Less erosional activity |
Additional Information: River Systems of India
The drainage systems of India are greatly influenced by the topography. The major division is between the Himalayan and Peninsular rivers. The Indus, Ganga, and Brahmaputra river systems are significant Himalayan rivers. They are known for forming gorges in the upper course and depositional features like floodplains and deltas in the lower courses. Peninsular rivers like the Godavari, Krishna, Kaveri, Mahanadi, and Narmada differ significantly in their flow patterns and course characteristics from the Himalayan rivers. The Western Ghats act as a major water divide in Peninsular India, with most rivers flowing eastward into the Bay of Bengal, while some flow westward into the Arabian Sea.
Similar Questions
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When the iceberg turns upside down, it appears ________.
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