Chapter – 3

Drainage
1. What are the characteristics of a river?
(i) Rivers are fast moving water bodies
(ii) River originates from glacier, springs, lake etc.
(iii) Rivers are slow moving mass of the ice and slow.
(iv) Rivers are used for irrigation, navigation, generation of hydropower etc.
(a) (i), (ii) and (iii)
(b) (i), (ii) and (iv)
(c) All (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv)
(d) Only (iii)
2. Which one of the following lakes is a saltwater lake?
a) Sambhar b) Dal c) Wular d) Gobind Sagar
3. Which one of the following is the longest river of the Peninsular India?
(a) Narmada (b) Godavari (c) Krishna (d) Mahanadi
4. Gulf of Khambat lies in the ……………
(a) Indian Ocean (b) Bay of Bengal (c) Arabian Sea (d) None of the above
5. Which one amongst the following rivers flows through a rift valley? 1
(a) Mahanadi (b) Krishna (c) Tungabhadra (d) Tapi
6. Match the following:
River Tributaries
a. Indus i. Barna
b. Ganga ii. The Wardha
c. Narmada iii. Yamuna
d. Godavari iv. Beas
Options:
(a) a – iv, b – iii, c – i, and d – ii
(b) a – i, b – iv, c – iii, and d-ii
(c) a – ii, b – i, c – iv, and d – iii
(d) a – iv, b – ii, c – iv, and d - i
7. Which one of the following is the longest river of the Peninsular India?
(a) Narmada (b) Godavari (c) Krishna (d) Mahanadi
8. Which one amongst the following rivers flows through a rift valley?
(a) Mahanadi (b) Krishna (c) Tungabhadra (d) Tapi
9. What is the area drained by a single river system called?
(a) Drainage (b) Drainage basin (c) Water divide (d) None of these
10. Which of the following two rivers form estuaries:
(a) Krishna and Kaveri (b) Godavari and Tapi
(c) Narmada and Tapi (d) Godavari and Tapi
11. The length of river Ganga is:
(a) 2525km (b) 2500km (c) 2575km (d) 2615km
12. Largest freshwater lake found in India at:
(a) Jammu & Kashmir (b) Malwa Plateau (c) Plain areas (d) Near oceans
Short Answers:
13. Where do the rivers Indus and Ganga have their origin?
The Indus River rises in Tibet, near Lake Mansarowar and the Ganga River originates from
Gangotri Glacier.

14. What is a water divide?

Any elevated area, such as a mountain or an upland, separates two drainage basins is known
as a water divide.
15. Why does Brahmaputra in its Tibetan part carry less silt despite a long course?
Brahmaputra in its Tibetan part carries less tilt despite a longer course because it does not
have a well-developed tributary system and the volume of water flow is less due to low rainfall.
16. What is inland drainage?
A drainage system in which rivers do not reach an ocean but empty their waters into a lake
or an inland sea. They are fed by short, intermittent streams, which experience flash floods during
rains. They dry up once the rain is over.
17. In which two major groups Indian rivers are divided into?
The Indian rivers are divided into two groups. First one is (a) The Himalayan rivers (b) The
Peninsular rivers
18. What is a perennial river?
Perennial rivers have water throughout the year. These rivers get water from rain and snow
e.g. River Ganga.
Three Marks
19. In which year Indus Water Treaty had been done? Describe the treaty.
The Indus Water Treaty (IWT) is a water-sharing agreement signed between India and
Pakistan on 19th September 1960 in Karachi, with the help of the World Bank as a mediator.
According to this treaty India can use only 20 per cent of the total water carried by the Indus River
system. This water is used for irrigation in Punjab, Haryana and the southern and the western parts
of Rajasthan.
20. Which two rivers form the largest delta? Write any two features of this delta.
River Ganga and River Brahmaputra from the largest delta i.e. the Sundarban delta. The two
features of this delta are: (a) It is the largest and fastest growing delta in the world. (b) It gets its
name as Sundarban from the Sundari tree. It is the home of the Royal Bengal tiger.
21. Describe three important features of the Tapi basin.
The important features of Tapi basin are: (a) The Tapi river rises in the Satpura ranges in the
Betul district of Madhya Pradesh. (b) It also flows through a rift valley parallel to the Narmada but
much shorter in length. (c) Its basin covers parts of Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Maharashtra.
22. Why are Peninsular rivers seasonal in nature? State any three reasons.
Peninsular rivers are seasonal in nature because their flow largely depends on the monsoon
rains. Unlike Himalayan rivers, they do not have glaciers as a constant source of water.
Three reasons:
1. Dependence on Monsoons – Most peninsular rivers are rain-fed. They carry plenty of water
during the rainy season but shrink or dry up during summer.
2. Lack of Snow/Glacial Source – Unlike Himalayan rivers, Peninsular rivers do not originate from
glaciers. Hence, they do not have a perennial supply of meltwater.
3. Hard Rocky Terrain – The hard and uneven rocks of the Peninsular Plateau do not allow water to
seep and sustain the flow for long periods, making rivers seasonal.
 23. How are rivers get polluted?
Rivers get polluted due to the dumping of untreated sewage and industrial waste into them.
Flowing water has a self-cleaning capacity if the stream flow is adequate. However, with growing
population and urbanization, the demand for water has been increasing. As a result, more and more
water is being drained out, reducing its volume in the rivers. Therefore, the pollution levels are quite
high. Large scale mining also causes river pollution.
Long answers:
24. State economic benefits of rivers and lakes.
Rivers and lakes provide several economic benefits to a state. Some of the major ones are:
1. Agriculture and Irrigation – Rivers and lakes supply water for irrigation, supporting farming and
enhancing agricultural productivity.
2. Fisheries and Aquaculture – They serve as a source of fish and other aquatic life, providing food
and livelihood opportunities.
3. Transportation and Trade – Navigable rivers reduce transport costs by enabling inland water
transport of goods and people.
4. Hydroelectric Power Generation – Flowing rivers are used for producing electricity through
dams and hydroelectric projects.
5. Tourism and Recreation – Lakes and rivers attract tourists for boating, fishing, water sports,
and scenic beauty, boosting the local economy.
6. Industrial Use – Many industries depend on rivers and lakes for water supply, cooling, and as a
means of waste disposal (with regulation).
7. Drinking Water Supply – Freshwater from rivers and lakes provides an essential resource for
urban and rural communities.
8. Employment Opportunities – Activities like fishing, farming, transport, power generation, and
tourism around rivers and lakes create direct and indirect jobs.
25. Discuss the significant difference between the Himalayan and the Peninsular rivers.
The significant differences between the Himalayan and the Peninsular Rivers is mentioned
as follows:

Aspect Himalayan Rivers Peninsular Rivers

Origin Originate from the Himalayas, mainly Originate from the Western Ghats, hills, or
from glaciers and snowfields. plateaus (mainly rainfall-fed).
Nature Perennial (flow throughout the year due to Seasonal (flow depends mainly on
snowmelt + rainfall). monsoon rains).
Water Flow Have continuous and abundant water Water flow fluctuates with monsoon; often
supply. dry in summer.
Length & Size Long and large rivers with extensive Relatively shorter rivers with smaller
drainage basins. Example: Ganga, drainage basins. Example: Godavari,
Brahmaputra, Indus. Krishna, Kaveri, Mahanadi.
Drainage From meanders, ox-bow lakes, Form straight courses, rapids, waterfalls,
Pattern floodplains, deltas. estuaries or deltas (depending on slope).
Erosion More erosion (Erosion is the action of More depositional (the geological process
Activity surface processes (such as water flow or where sediments, soil, and rocks are
wind) that removes soil, rock, or dissolved added to a landmass or landform)
material from one location on the Earth's
crust)
 Have three distinct courses – upper
Mostly flow through plateaus; shorter and
Course (mountainous), middle (plains), and lower
less distinct stages.
(delta).
Sediment Carry heavy sediment load due to erosion
Carry comparatively less sediment load.
Load of the Himalayas.
More useful for hydro-power generation
Suitable for irrigation, navigation, hydro-
Utility (due to steep gradient and waterfalls) and
power, and fertile floodplains.
irrigation in deltas.
Godavari, Krishna, Kaveri, Narmada, Tapti,
Examples Ganga, Yamuna, Brahmaputra, Indus.
Mahanadi.

26. Why are rivers important for the country’s economy?

The rivers are important for the country’s economy due to the following reasons
• It is an important source of natural fresh water, which is required for the survival of most of
the animals including man.
• River water is used for various purposes like domestic, industrial, agriculture.
• Rivers boost trade and commerce by helping in the easy transport of goods.
• River water is also used in running the Hydro-electric dams.
• It is also used in navigation and transport thus, important for commercial activities.
• It also provides fishing and great scenic and recreational value. Thus, serve as good tourist
spots.