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Non-Rationalised Geography NCERT Notes, Solutions and Extra Q & A (Class 6th to 12th)
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Class 11th Chapters
Fundamentals of Physical Geography
1. Geography As A Discipline 2. The Origin And Evolution Of The Earth 3. Interior Of The Earth
4. Distribution Of Oceans And Continents 5. Minerals And Rocks 6. Geomorphic Processes
7. Landforms And Their Evolution 8. Composition And Structure Of Atmosphere 9. Solar Radiation, Heat Balance And Temperature
10. Atmospheric Circulation And Weather Systems 11. Water In The Atmosphere 12. World Climate And Climate Change
13. Water (Oceans) 14. Movements Of Ocean Water 15. Life On The Earth
16. Biodiversity And Conservation
India Physical Environment
1. India — Location 2. Structure And Physiography 3. Drainage System
4. Climate 5. Natural Vegetation 6. Soils
7. Natural Hazards And Disasters
Practical Work in Geography
1. Introduction To Maps 2. Map Scale 3. Latitude, Longitude And Time
4. Map Projections 5. Topographical Maps 6. Introduction To Aerial Photographs
7. Introduction To Remote Sensing 8. Weather Instruments, Maps And Charts



Chapter 3 Drainage System



The flow of water through well-defined channels on the Earth's surface is called drainage. The interconnected network of these channels forms a drainage system. A drainage pattern in a specific area is shaped by various factors, including the geological history, the type and structure of the rocks, the topography and slope of the land, and the volume and seasonality of water flow.

Rivers flow in a specific direction primarily due to the slope of the land, following gravity from higher elevations to lower ones. For example, rivers originating in the Himalayas in the north and the Western Ghats in the south generally flow eastward towards the Bay of Bengal because the overall slope of the Peninsular plateau is tilted eastward.

The area from which a river collects its water is called its catchment area. The entire area drained by a river and its tributaries constitutes a drainage basin or river basin (Figure 3.1 shows a river in a mountainous region, part of a drainage basin). The dividing line that separates one drainage basin from another is known as a watershed or drainage divide.

Image of a river flowing through a mountainous region, illustrating a drainage system

Image showing a river channel carving its way through a mountainous landscape, part of a river's drainage system and basin.

River basins are generally larger areas drained by major rivers, while watersheds are smaller areas drained by minor streams and rivulets. Despite the size difference, river basins and watersheds are considered unified units. Actions in one part directly affect other parts and the whole system. This makes them useful units for planning and resource management at micro, meso, or macro levels.


Drainage System

Important Drainage Patterns

The arrangement and form of the network of river channels in a drainage basin create distinct patterns:


The Indian drainage system can be classified based on the direction of water discharge into the sea:

These two major drainage divisions are separated by a water divide formed by the Delhi ridge, the Aravali range, and the Sahyadris (Western Ghats) (Figure 3.1 indicates this water divide). While most large Peninsular rivers originate in the Western Ghats and flow east, the Narmada and Tapi are significant exceptions that flow westward into the Arabian Sea through rift valleys.

Based on the size of the drainage basin (catchment area), India's river basins are categorized:

Another common classification, based on origin, nature, and characteristics, divides India's drainage into:

Although this classification is not perfect (some rivers originating in the northern Peninsula join the Ganga system), it is widely used and adopted in this chapter.




Drainage Systems Of India

The Indian drainage system is extensive, comprising many small and large rivers. Its development is closely tied to the geological evolution of India's major physiographic divisions and influenced by the pattern and characteristics of precipitation.




The Himalayan Drainage

The Himalayan drainage system consists of rivers originating in the Himalayas and the Trans-Himalayan region. It primarily includes the river systems of the Ganga, the Indus, and the Brahmaputra. These rivers have a long geological history and are characterized by being perennial – they have water throughout the year. This is because they are fed by the melting of Himalayan glaciers and snow (snow melt) and also receive rainfall during the monsoon season.

Himalayan rivers flow through deep gorges that they have carved as the Himalayas were uplifted, indicating their antecedent nature (existing before the mountain ranges fully formed and cutting through them as they rose). In their mountainous courses, they exhibit features of a youthful stage of development, such as V-shaped valleys, rapids (Figure 3.3), and waterfalls.

Image of rapids in a river

Image showing rapids, sections of a river with turbulent flow and white water, typically found in steep, rocky channels.

Upon entering the plains, these rivers slow down and deposit vast amounts of sediment, forming depositional landforms characteristic of a mature stage, including flat floodplains, ox-bow lakes (formed from cut-off meanders), braided channels (where the river channel splits into multiple interwoven smaller channels), and large deltas at their mouths where they meet the sea.

In the mountainous regions, the river courses can be very sinuous (tortuous), but in the plains, they develop strong meandering patterns and are known for frequently shifting their courses, particularly during floods. The Kosi river, often called the 'sorrow of Bihar', is notorious for its frequent course changes, primarily because it carries huge quantities of sediment from its upper reaches, which are deposited in the plains, blocking the channel and forcing the river to find a new path. The discharge of these rivers fluctuates throughout the year, being highest during the monsoon season due to rainfall and snowmelt.

Flooding, while essential for replenishing floodplains and maintaining ecosystems, can also cause significant damage to life, property, and infrastructure (negative effect).


Evolution Of The Himalayan Drainage

There are varying geological theories regarding the exact evolution of the Himalayan drainage. One widely discussed theory suggests that a massive, unified river system, often referred to as the Shiwalik or Indo-Brahma river, flowed longitudinally along the entire extent of the Himalayas from Assam to Punjab and onward to Sindh (now in Pakistan), discharging into the Gulf of Sindh, around 5 to 24 million years ago (during the Miocene period). Evidence supporting this includes the geological continuity of the Shiwalik range, which formed from the deposits of this large river, and the presence of lacustrine (lake) and alluvial deposits (sands, silts, clays, boulders) throughout the Shiwalik foothills.

This hypothetical Indo-Brahma river system is believed to have been fragmented into the current major drainage systems (Indus, Ganga, Brahmaputra) due to geological events in the Pleistocene epoch (starting about 2.6 million years ago). A major upheaval in the western Himalayas, including the uplift of the Potwar Plateau (which extends to the Delhi Ridge), acted as a water divide, separating the Indus and Ganga systems. Later, a down-faulting event in the Malda Gap region (between the Rajmahal Hills and the Meghalaya Plateau) diverted the Ganga and Brahmaputra river systems eastward towards the Bay of Bengal, creating the current drainage orientation.


The River Systems Of The Himalayan Drainage

The Himalayan drainage is dominated by three major river systems:


The Indus System

The Indus river system is one of the largest in the world, with a total length of 2,880 km (1,114 km in India) and a vast basin area (321,289 sq. km in India). Also known as the Sindhu, it is the westernmost of the major Himalayan rivers in India. It originates from a glacier near Bokhar Chu (4,164 m altitude) in the Kailash range of the Tibetan region (where it is called 'Singi Khamban' or Lion's Mouth). It flows northwest between the Ladakh and Zaskar ranges, passing through Ladakh and Baltistan. It carves a spectacular gorge near Gilgit before entering Pakistan near Chilas.

Important tributaries joining the Indus include numerous Himalayan rivers from the north (Shyok, Gilgit, Zaskar, Hunza, Nubra, Shigar, Gasting, Dras) and rivers originating from the Sulaiman ranges to its right (Khurram, Tochi, Gomal, Viboa, Sangar). South of Mithankot in Pakistan, the Indus receives the 'Panjnad', which is the combined flow of the five rivers of Punjab: Satluj, Beas, Ravi, Chenab, and Jhelum. The Indus finally discharges into the Arabian Sea east of Karachi. Within India, the Indus river itself flows only through the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir (now bifurcated into UTs of J&K and Ladakh).


The Ganga System

The Ganga is India's most significant river, culturally and for its vast basin (8.6 lakh sq. km in India). It rises from the Gangotri glacier near Gaumukh (3,900 m) in Uttarakhand, where it is initially known as the Bhagirathi. The Bhagirathi flows through gorges in the Himalayas and meets the Alaknanda at Devprayag; from this confluence, the river is named the Ganga. The Alaknanda originates from the Satopanth glacier above Badrinath and is formed by the union of the Dhauli and Vishnu Ganga at Joshimath (Vishnu Prayag). Other Alaknanda tributaries are the Pindar (joining at Karna Prayag) and Mandakini/Kali Ganga (joining at Rudra Prayag). The Ganga enters the plains at Haridwar.

From Haridwar, the Ganga flows south, then southeast and east, eventually splitting into two distributaries: the Bhagirathi (in West Bengal) and the Padma (entering Bangladesh). The Ganga has a total length of 2,525 km within India, flowing through Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and West Bengal.

The Ganga basin is the largest in India, receiving numerous perennial tributaries from the Himalayas (left bank) and non-perennial tributaries from the Peninsula (right bank). The major right bank tributary is the Son. Important left bank tributaries from the Himalayas include the Ramganga, Gomati, Ghaghara, Gandak, Kosi, and Mahananda. The Ganga finally discharges into the Bay of Bengal near Sagar Island.

The Indian government has launched the 'Namami Gange Programme' in 2014 as an Integrated Conservation Mission for the river Ganga, focusing on pollution abatement, conservation, and rejuvenation.


The Brahmaputra System

The Brahmaputra is one of the world's largest rivers, originating from the Chemayungdung glacier near Mansarovar Lake in the Kailash range. In Tibet, it flows eastward for about 1,200 km through a flat, dry region, known as the 'Tsangpo' (the purifier). Its major right bank tributary in Tibet is the Rango Tsangpo. The Brahmaputra then turns south, carving a deep gorge through the Himalayas near Namcha Barwa (7,755 m), emerging from the foothills in Arunachal Pradesh under the name 'Siang' or 'Dihang'.

It enters India west of Sadiya town in Arunachal Pradesh. Flowing southwest through the Assam valley (about 750 km), it receives major left bank tributaries like the Dibang (Sikang) and Lohit, after which it is officially known as the Brahmaputra. Important right bank tributaries are the Subansiri (an antecedent river originating in Tibet), Kameng, Manas, and Sankosh. Major left bank tributaries in Assam include the Burhi Dihing and Dhansari (South).

The Brahmaputra enters Bangladesh near Dhubri, flowing southward as the Jamuna (after being joined by the Tista from the right). It finally merges with the Padma (main arm of the Ganga) and discharges into the Bay of Bengal. The Brahmaputra is known for its high flood potential, frequent channel shifting, and bank erosion, largely due to the large volume of water and sediment contributed by its numerous tributaries, particularly during the heavy monsoon rains in its catchment area.




The Peninsular Drainage System

The Peninsular drainage system is considered geologically older than the Himalayan one. Evidence for its maturity includes the presence of broad, shallow, and largely graded river valleys. The Western Ghats, running parallel to the west coast, serve as the main water divide for Peninsular rivers. Most major rivers originate here and flow east into the Bay of Bengal, while smaller, short rivers flow west into the Arabian Sea. Most Peninsular rivers have a fixed course, generally lack meanders (except in limited areas), and are non-perennial, meaning their flow is dependent on seasonal rainfall and fluctuates significantly, often drying up during the dry season (except for the Narmada and Tapi, which flow through rift valleys and maintain some flow).

Some northern Peninsular rivers like the Chambal, Sind, Betwa, Ken, and Son, which are older than the Himalayas, are part of the Ganga river system.


The Evolution Of Peninsular Drainage System

The current pattern of Peninsular drainage is attributed to three major geological events:


River Systems Of The Peninsular Drainage

Major river systems flowing eastward into the Bay of Bengal:

Major river systems flowing westward into the Arabian Sea:

Largest river system of Rajasthan (west of Aravali):


Smaller Rivers Flowing Towards The West

Numerous smaller rivers flow westwards into the Arabian Sea, mainly originating in the Western Ghats and having short courses due to the steep western slope and the proximity of the water divide to the coast.

Examples in Gujarat include Shetruniji, Bhadra, Dhadhar, Sabarmati, and Mahi. Important west-flowing rivers in Maharashtra include Vaitarna (rises from Trimbak hills). In Karnataka, prominent west-flowing rivers include Kalinadi, Bedti, and Sharavati (originates in Shimoga, drains 2,209 sq km). The Gersoppa (Jog) Falls are on the Sharavati river. Goa has two notable west-flowing rivers: Mandovi and Juari.

Kerala has a very narrow coastline, and its west-flowing rivers are relatively short. The longest river is Bharathapuzha (also Ponnani), rising near Annamalai hills, draining 5,397 sq km. The Periyar is the second largest (catchment area 5,243 sq km). The Pamba river (177 km) falls into the Vemobanad lake.

Comparison of catchment areas for some west-flowing rivers:

River Catchment Area ($km^2$)
Sabarmati 21,674
Mahi 34,842
Dhandhar 2,770
Kalinadi 5,179
Sharavati 2,029
Bharathapuzha 5,397
Periyar 5,243

Most of these smaller west-flowing rivers are important for local water supply, irrigation, and hydropower.


Small Rivers Flowing Towards The East

Along with the major east-flowing rivers (Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna, Kaveri), there are also numerous smaller rivers that flow eastward into the Bay of Bengal. Though smaller in size and basin area, they are locally significant.

Important smaller east-flowing rivers include Subarnarekha, Baitarni, Brahmani, Vamsadhara, Penner, Palar, and Vaigai.

Comparison of catchment areas for some smaller east-flowing rivers:

River Catchment Area ($km^2$)
Subarnarekha 19,296
Baitarni 12,789
Brahmani 39,033
Penner 55,213
Palar 17,870

These rivers are important for local and regional water supply and irrigation in the eastern coastal plains.




River Regimes

The regime of a river refers to the pattern of flow of water in the river channel throughout the year. It describes how the volume of water discharged by the river varies seasonally. River discharge is the volume of water flowing past a specific point in a unit of time, typically measured in cusecs (cubic feet per second) or cumecs (cubic meters per second).

Comparison between the Himalayan and Peninsular River Regimes (Table 3.1):

Aspect Himalayan Rivers Peninsular Rivers
Place of Origin Himalayan mountains covered with glaciers Peninsular plateau and central highlands
Nature of Flow Perennial; receive water from glaciers (snow melt) and rainfall Seasonal; dependent on monsoon rainfall (non-perennial)
Type of Drainage Pattern Antecedent and consequent, leading to dendritic patterns in plains Superimposed, rejuvenated, resulting in trellis, radial, rectangular patterns
Nature of River Long course, flowing through rugged mountains (headward erosion, river capturing), meandering and shifting course in plains Smaller, fixed course with well-adjusted valleys
Catchment Area Very large basins Relatively smaller basins
Age of the River Young and youthful, actively eroding and deepening valleys Old rivers with graded profile, have almost reached their base level

Himalayan rivers, being fed by both snowmelt and rainfall, maintain a relatively high flow throughout the year, with peak flow during the monsoon season and significant flow during summer due to glacial melt. Peninsular rivers are mainly rain-fed; their flow is seasonal, increasing significantly during the monsoon and decreasing sharply or drying up during the dry season. The regime of Peninsular rivers is highly dependent on the varying rainfall patterns across the plateau.

Examples of river regimes:

These examples illustrate how Himalayan rivers have a more sustained flow due to snowmelt, while Peninsular rivers have marked seasonal fluctuations driven by monsoon rainfall. The specific timing and magnitude of peak flow vary between regions depending on the onset and intensity of the monsoon and the contribution of snowmelt.




Extent Of Usability Of River Water

India's rivers carry a large volume of water annually, but this water is distributed unevenly in time and space. This leads to paradoxes: perennial rivers have water year-round, while non-perennial rivers have very little during dry seasons. During the monsoon, excessive water in some rivers causes floods, while other areas simultaneously suffer from droughts. This highlights not just a problem of water availability but also a challenge of water resource management.

Possible measures to mitigate simultaneous floods and droughts include:

India has implemented some inter-basin linkages, such as the Periyar Diversion Scheme, Indira Gandhi Canal Project (linking Satluj-Beas waters to Rajasthan desert), Kurnool-Cuddapah Canal (linking Krishna water), and Beas-Satluj Link Canal. Proposed large-scale Ganga-Kaveri link canal projects aim to transfer water from Himalayan rivers to Peninsular rivers.

Inter-linking rivers, especially between the Northern Plain and the Peninsular Plateau, presents significant challenges:

Ranking problems in using river water:

  1. River water pollution
  2. Uneven seasonal flow of water
  3. River water disputes between states
  4. No availability in sufficient quantity (often related to seasonal flow and regional distribution)
  5. Load of silt in the river water
  6. Shrinking of channels due to extension of settlements (encroachment on floodplains/channels)

Rivers are polluted by various sources, including: discharge of untreated sewage from cities, disposal of industrial effluents and wastes, traditional practices like cremation on river banks and disposing of dead bodies, and large-scale bathing and washing. Cleaning up rivers requires comprehensive measures like setting up sewage treatment plants, controlling industrial pollution, regulating activities on river banks, and promoting public awareness and responsible waste disposal. Initiatives like the Ganga Action Plan and campaigns to clean the Yamuna are examples of efforts to reduce river pollution in India.




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