Question

Differentiate between Himalayan rivers and Peninsular rivers.

Answer 1

Instructions:

• Differentiate on the basis of origin, narure and chacracteristics with example.

Solution:
Based on the origin, nature and characteristics of the Indian river system, the rivers can be classified into two.

• The Himalayan Rivers and
• The Peninsular rivers

Origin:

• Himalayan rivers originate from himalayan mountains and the peninsular rivers originate from either the peninsular plateau or the central highlands.
• Himalayan rivers are perennial in nature.i.e these rivers contain water throughout the year whereas peninsular rivers are seasonal in nature i.e. these rivers entirely depend on the monsoonal rainfall.
• Next difference is regarding the length of each river. Himalayan rivers are longer in length and have large drainage basins. One of the himalayan rivers- Brahmaputra is the longest among them constituting 2500 Km.
• Peninsular rivers are smaller in length and have small drainage basins compared to himalayan rivers. The longest river among the peninsular rivers constitute only about 1500 km.
• Another difference is regarding the size of deltas. Himalayan rivers make larger deltas whereas only the east flowing peninsular rivers make larger deltas.
• Major himalayan rivers are
  • the Indus, the Ganga and the Brahmaputra
• while the major peninsular rivers are
  • Narmada, Tapi, Mhanadi, Godavari, Krishna and Kaveri.