All Exams Test series for 1 year @ ₹349 only
Question

Which of the following best explains why the West Coastal Plains of India are characterised by numerous estuaries instead of extensive deltas?

This question was previously asked in
RRB NTPC 2025 Under Graduate CBT 2 Question Paper PDF (17-Sep-2026) (Shift 1)
The correct answer is

Rivers are short, steep, and fast-flowing

The West Coastal Plain is a narrow strip (about 50-100 km wide) lying between the Western Ghats and the Arabian Sea.

Rivers such as the Narmada, Tapi, Mandovi, Zuari and Periyar originate close to the coast, descend the steep western scarp of the Ghats and reach the sea over very short distances with high gradient and swift flow.

Because of this short, steep, fast-flowing character they have neither the time nor the low-gradient tract needed to drop sediment and build up broad deltas; instead their mouths are drowned by tidal action, forming estuaries and rias.

Rivers of the east coast (Ganga, Godavari, Krishna, Kaveri, Mahanadi) are long, slow and sediment-laden and therefore build extensive deltas – the exact opposite of the west-coast situation.

Hence, the answer is that the rivers are short, steep, and fast-flowing.

Was this answer helpful?

Similar Questions

  1. Which two rivers are linked by the Pattiseema Lift Irrigation Project?
  2. Which of the following is NOT a river of Himalayan origin?
  3. Which of the following canal systems is NOT in Haryana?
  4. How many of the first 100 positive integers are divisible by 3 or 4 without a remainder?
  5. Which two articles of the Constitution of India most clearly express the power of judicial review?
  6. Which of the following lakes is the largest fresh water lake in north-east India?
  7. By which river is the riverine island Majuli (Assam) formed?
  8. What was the Indira Gandhi Canal Command Area previously called as?
  9. Which of the following rivers flows into the Arabian Sea?
  10. In which state is the Jog waterfalls situated?

Important Questions from Indian Rivers and Water Resources

  1. ‘Ong’ and ‘Tel’ are tributaries of the river ______.

  2. Consider the following statements :

    i. Alamatti dam is on the Cauveri river.

    ii. Mettur dam is on the Krishna river.

    iii. Gandhi Sagar Reservoir is on the Chambal river.

    Which of the statement given above is/are correct ?

  3. Charre-Marre waterfall is located in which Valley ?

  4. With reference to the Indus river system, of the following four rivers, three of them pour into one of them which joins the Indus direct. Among the following, which one is such river that joins the Indus direct?

  5. With reference to India, Didwana, Kuchaman, Sargol and Khatu are the names of

Need Expert Advice?
Upcoming Exams
RRB ALP
November 03, 2026
Test Series
RRB NTPC img
Railways
RRB NTPC Under Graduate 2026 New Mock Test Series
1612 Tests 1 Tests Free
1022 Attempts
4.3(516)
English, Hindi, Telugu +7 More
More Questions from RRB NTPC

Start Your Preparation with Prepp Mobile App

Download the app from Google Play & App Store
Download the app from Google Play & App Store
Prepp Mobile App