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.
Which of these statements is NOT true about perennial rivers?
They have a very short dry season.
Understanding Perennial Rivers from the Passage
The passage discusses the drainage systems of India, dividing rivers into two main groups: the Himalayan rivers and the Peninsular rivers. It highlights key differences between them, including their origin, flow characteristics, and features formed.
The question asks us to identify the statement that is NOT true about perennial rivers based on the information provided in the passage.
Let's analyze each statement against the passage:
Analysis of Statements about Perennial Rivers
- Statement 1: They cover very long distances till they reach the sea.
The passage states, "The perennial Himalayan rivers have long courses from their source to the sea." This directly supports Statement 1. Therefore, this statement is true according to the passage.
- Statement 2: They have well developed deltas.
The passage mentions, "They also have well-developed deltas." This refers to the perennial Himalayan rivers. Thus, this statement is true according to the passage.
- Statement 3: Most of them originate in the Himalayas.
The passage classifies rivers into Himalayan and Peninsular. It explicitly states, "Most of the Himalayan rivers are perennial." While it notes some (like Indus and Brahmaputra) originate north of the mountain ranges, they are categorized within the "Himalayan rivers" group. Therefore, originating in the Himalayas (or being part of the Himalayan river system) is presented as a characteristic of most perennial rivers. This statement is consistent with the passage.
- Statement 4: They have a very short dry season.
The passage defines perennial rivers by stating, "It means that they have water throughout the year." Having water throughout the year implies that they do not have a dry season where their flow is significantly reduced or stopped, unlike seasonal rivers which are dependent on rainfall. Therefore, the statement that they have a "very short dry season" is not true based on the passage's definition of perennial rivers having water throughout the year.
Based on the analysis, the statement that is NOT true about perennial rivers as described in the passage is that they have a very short dry season.
Key Characteristics of Perennial Rivers (Himalayan Rivers) from the Passage
| Characteristic | Description from Passage |
|---|---|
| Flow | Have water throughout the year (perennial) |
| Water Source | Rain and melted snow |
| Origin Region | Mainly Himalayan region (though some originate north of ranges) |
| Course Length | Long courses from source to sea |
| Tributaries | Joined by many large tributaries (form river systems) |
| Upper Course Features | Cut through mountains (gorges), intensive erosional activity, carry silt/sand |
| Middle/Lower Course Features | Form meanders, oxbow lakes, levees, depositional features in floodplains |
| Delta Formation | Have well-developed deltas |
Conclusion
Statements 1, 2, and 3 align with the description of perennial rivers in the passage. Statement 4 contradicts the definition of perennial rivers having water throughout the year. Thus, the statement that is NOT true is that they have a very short dry season.
Revision Table: Drainage Systems of India
| Feature | Himalayan Rivers (Perennial) | Peninsular Rivers (Mostly Seasonal) |
|---|---|---|
| Water Flow | Throughout the year (perennial) | Seasonal (dependent on rainfall) |
| Water Source | Rain and melted snow | Mainly rainfall |
| Course Length | Longer courses | Shorter and shallower courses |
| Erosion/Deposition | Intensive erosion in upper course, significant depositional features (meanders, deltas) | Less intensive erosion/deposition compared to Himalayan rivers |
| Deltas | Well-developed deltas | Some rivers form deltas, others esturies (not detailed in passage) |
Additional Information: River Systems in India
The passage provides a simplified view of India's drainage system. Understanding the differences between Himalayan and Peninsular rivers is crucial for studying Indian geography. The Himalayan rivers are older, formed by the uplift of the Himalayas, which led to these rivers cutting through the mountains creating deep gorges. Their large catchments and glacial sources ensure a continuous flow.
Peninsular rivers are generally older than the Himalayas but the present river courses are younger. They flow through stable peneplains. Their courses are more established and less prone to changes compared to the Himalayan rivers. Except for a few rivers like the Narmada and Tapi that flow through rift valleys and drain into the Arabian Sea, most Peninsular rivers drain into the Bay of Bengal, flowing eastward from the Western Ghats.
The formation of features like meanders, oxbow lakes, and deltas is typical of rivers flowing through plains where the gradient is gentle and the water velocity decreases, leading to deposition of the sediment load carried from the upper courses.
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