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.
The word ‘seasonal’ rivers in the passage means:
rivers whose flow is dependent upon rainfall
Understanding Seasonal Rivers based on the Passage
The question asks for the meaning of the word 'seasonal' rivers as explained in the provided passage about the drainage systems of India. The passage divides Indian rivers into two major groups: Himalayan rivers and Peninsular rivers.
The passage specifically discusses the nature of Peninsular rivers:
- "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."
This directly tells us what 'seasonal' means in the context of these rivers. Their flow is not constant throughout the year; it changes with the seasons, specifically depending on rainfall.
Let's examine the given options based on this understanding:
- Option 1: rivers that change their course in every season. The passage does not mention rivers changing their course every season.
- Option 2: rivers whose flow is dependent upon rainfall. This matches the definition provided in the passage exactly: "as their flow is dependent on rainfall."
- Option 3: rivers that never go dry in any season. This describes perennial rivers (like most Himalayan rivers mentioned in the passage, which have water throughout the year from rain and melted snow), not seasonal rivers. Seasonal rivers can have significantly reduced flow or even go dry during the dry season.
- Option 4: rivers that flood in every season. While rainfall can cause flooding, the defining characteristic of seasonal rivers mentioned is their dependence on rainfall for flow, not guaranteed flooding in every season.
Therefore, based on the passage, the word 'seasonal' rivers means rivers whose flow is dependent upon rainfall.
Key Difference: Seasonal vs. Perennial Rivers
The passage highlights the key difference between Himalayan and Peninsular rivers:
- Himalayan Rivers: Mostly perennial, meaning they have water throughout the year. They receive water from both rain and melted snow. Examples: Indus, Ganga, Brahmaputra.
- Peninsular Rivers: A large number are seasonal, meaning their flow depends on rainfall. Their flow reduces during the dry season. Examples: Godavari, Kaveri, Krishna.
Here is a summary table based on the passage:
| Feature | Himalayan Rivers | Peninsular Rivers |
|---|---|---|
| Perennial/Seasonal | Mostly Perennial | Mostly Seasonal |
| Source of Water | Rain and Melted Snow | Mainly Rainfall |
| Flow during Dry Season | Water throughout the year | Reduced flow, can go dry |
| Length of Course | Longer | Shorter and shallower |
The passage explicitly states that seasonal rivers' flow relies on rainfall, making option 2 the correct interpretation.
Revision Table: Indian River Types
| Term | Meaning based on Passage | Contrast with |
|---|---|---|
| Seasonal Rivers | Rivers whose flow depends on rainfall. Flow reduces during dry seasons. | Perennial Rivers |
| Perennial Rivers | Rivers that have water throughout the year. Fed by rain and melted snow. | Seasonal Rivers |
Additional Information: River Systems in India
Understanding the drainage system is crucial for Indian geography. The two main divisions, Himalayan and Peninsular, have distinct characteristics due to their origin and topography.
- Himalayan River System: These rivers originate from the Himalayas. They are typically perennial because they are fed by glaciers (snowmelt) and rainfall. They often form large river systems with extensive tributaries. Examples include the Indus, Ganga, and Brahmaputra river systems. These rivers are known for their erosional activities in the upper course and depositional features like deltas, meanders, and oxbow lakes in the middle and lower courses.
- Peninsular River System: These rivers originate in the Peninsular Plateau. Most are seasonal, relying heavily on monsoon rainfall. They have shorter and shallower courses compared to Himalayan rivers. Major Peninsular rivers flowing towards the Bay of Bengal originate mostly in the Western Ghats (like Godavari, Krishna, Kaveri, Mahanadi). Some rivers originate in the central highlands and flow westwards (like Narmada, Tapi).
The seasonal nature of many Peninsular rivers significantly impacts agriculture and water availability in the region during the dry months.
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