Question

Give difference: Himalayan Rivers – Peninsular Rivers.

Answer 1

Instructions:

• State Himalayan Rivers and Peninsular Rivers
• Differentiate on the basis of
• Origin
• Length
• Nature
• Size of Delta
• Examples

Solution:
Based on the origin, nature, and characteristics of the Indian River system, Indian rivers are classified into two. They are;
The Himalayan Rivers and
The Peninsular rivers

• Himalayan rivers originate from the glaciers of the Himalayan mountains and the peninsular rivers originate from the Peninsular plateau and the central highlands.
• Nature - Himalayan rivers are perennial. i.e., these rivers contain water throughout the year whereas peninsular rivers are seasonal i.e., these rivers entirely depend on the monsoonal rainfall.
• Length - Himalayan rivers are longer and have large drainage basins. You know, 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 constitutes only about 1500 km.
• The size of deltas - Himalayan rivers make larger deltas whereas only the east flowing peninsular rivers make smaller deltas.
• Major Himalayan rivers are the Indus, the Ganga, and the Brahmaputra while the major peninsular rivers are Narmada, Tapi, Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna, and Kaveri.