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RIVER SYSTEM IN INDIA River Systems: The river systems of India can be classified into four groups viz., (i) (ii) (iii)
Himalayan rivers Deccan rivers Rivers of the inland drainage basin.
The Himalayan rivers are formed by melting snow and glaciers and therefore, continuously flow throughout the year. The main Himalayan river systems are those of the Indus and the Ganga‐Brahmaputra‐Meghna system. The Indus:
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The Indus, which is one of the great rivers of the world, rises near Mansarovar in Tibet and flows through India and thereafter through Pakistan and finally falls into the Arabian sea near Karachi. Its important tributaries flowing in Indian territory are the Sutlej (originating in Tibet), the Beas, the Ravi, the Chenab and the Jhelum. Indus:
Ancient name : Sindhu Origin : Bokharchu Glacier, Near Mansarovar In Tibet, Called Singi Khamban / Lion’s mouth Enters In India through Ladakh, flows only in J &K Enters Pak through hair pin bend of Nanga Parbat Finally Discharges in Arabian Sea Flows approx. ( 709 / 2880 ) Km in India India uses 20 % of its water by Indo Pak water treaty of 1960 India got her name from Indus. ‘The Indus Valley Civilization’ was born around this river. It flows in north‐west direction from its source (Glaciers of Kailas Range – Kailash range in Tibet near Lake Manasarovar) till the Nanga Parbhat Range. It’s length is about 2,900 km. Its total drainage area is about 1,165,000 square km [more than half of it lies in semiarid plains of Pakistan]. It is joined by Dhar River near Indo‐ China border. After entering J&K it flows between the Ladakh and the Zaskar Ranges. It flows through the regions of Ladakh, Baltistan and Gilgit. The gradient of the river in J&K is very gentle (about 30 cm per km). Average elevation at which the Indus flows through JK is about 4000 m above sea level. It is joined by the Zaskar River at Leh (these kind of points are important for prelims). Near Skardu, it is joined by the Shyok at an elevation of about 2,700 m. The Gilgit, Gartang, Dras, Shiger, Hunza are the other Himalayan tributaries of the Indus. It crosses the Himalayas (ends its mountainous journey) through a 5181 m deep gorge near Attock, lying north of the Nanga Parbat. It takes a sharp southerly bend here (syntaxial bend). Kabul river from Afghanistan joins Indus near Attock. Thereafter it flows through the Potwar plateau and crosses the Salt Range (South Eastern edge of Potwar Plateau). Some of the important tributaries below Attock include the Kurram, Toch and the Zhob‐ Gomal.
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Just above Mithankot, the Indus receives from Panjnad (Panchnad), the accumulated waters of the five eastern tributaries—the Jhelum, the Chenab, the Ravi, the Beas and the Satluj. The river empties into the Arabian Sea south of Karachi after forming a huge delta. National Parks: Hemis National Park(Markha)
Jhelum:
Ancient name : Vitasta Origin : Verinag Spring (Kashmir), in the south‐eastern part of the Kashmir Valley. Tributary of Chenab, flows only in J &K Flows Northward to Wular Lake Cut through gorge in Pir‐ Panjal range to reach Muzzafarabad (POK) It flows northwards into Wular Lake (north‐western part of Kashmir Valley). From Wular Lake, it changes its course southwards. At Baramulla the river enters a gorge in the hills. The river forms steep‐sided narrow gorge through Pir Panjal Range below Baramula. At Muzaffarabad, the river takes a sharp hairpin bend southward. Thereafter, it forms the India‐Pakistan boundary for 170 km and emerges at the Potwar Plateau near Mirpur. After flowing through the spurs of the Salt Range it debouches (emerge from a confined space into a wide, open area) on the plains near the city of Jhelum. It joins the Chenab at Trimmu. National Parks: Dachigam National Park(Dagwan river); Kazinag National Park; Salim Ali National Park The river is navigable for about 160 km out of a total length of 724 km
Chenab:
Ancient name : Akshani / Iskmati Origin : Bara Lacha Pass (Himachal) Known as Chandra‐Bhaga in Himachal Chandra River : Water flowing south from the pass Bhaga River : Water Flowing north from the pass Flows Northward & parallel to Pir –Panjal Range for some distance Cut through gorge in Pir – Panjal & Turns southward Largest tributary of Indus, Flows through Himachal & J & K Famous Projects : Duhasti, Baglihar & Salal hydroelectric project National Parks: Kishtwar National Park(Marwa)
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Ravi:
Ancient name : Purushni Origin : Kullu hills near Rohtang Pass (Himachal) Tributary of Chenab Smallest of 5 rivers Flows through Indo – Pak boundary Flows northward b/w Pir – Panjal & Dhauladhar Ranges Cut a gorge through Dhauladhar range & flows southward Tributaries: Budhil; Seul
Beas:
Ancient name : Vipasha Origin : Beas kund near Rohtang Pass, Himachal Tributary of Satluj Only river flowing entirely in India Runs southward, Cut a deep gorge in Dhauladhar & turns west to meet Satluj near Harike (Wetland) Famous Project : Pong Dam Some of the tributaries: Parbati ; Haria ; Sainj ; Tirthan National Parks: Great Himalayan National Park
Sutluj:
Ancient name : Shatadru Origin :Rakas lake, Tibet, near Mansarovar Enter Himachal at Shipki La Pass Collects water from Ravi, Chenab, Jhelum & Beas to join Indus near Mithalkot (Pak) Before entering the Punjab plain, it cuts a gorge in Naina Devi Dhar, where the famous Bhakra dam has been constructed. After entering the plain at Rupnagar (Ropar), it turns westwards and is joined by the Beas at Harike. From near Ferozepur to Fazilka it forms the boundary between India and Pakistan for nearly 120 km. Famous Projects :Naptha Jhakri Project & Bhakra Nagal Dam with Govind Sagar Reservoir National Park: Pin Valley National Park(Pin)
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The Ganga:
The Ganga‐Brahmaputra‐Meghna is another important system of which the principal sub‐basins are those of Bhagirathi and the Alaknanda, which join at Dev Prayag to form the Ganga. It traverses through Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and West Bengal. Below Rajmahal Hills, the Bhagirathi, which used to be the main course in the past, takes off, while the Padma continues eastward and enters Bangladesh. The Yamuna, the Ramganga, the Ghaghra, the Gandak, the Kosi, the Mahananda and the Sone are the important tributaries of the Ganga. Rivers Chambal and Betwa are the important sub‐ tributaries, which join the Yamuna before it meets the Ganga. The Padma and the Brahmaputra join at Bangladesh and continue to flow as the Padma or Ganga.
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The Ganga:
Origin : As Bhagirathi from Gangotri Glacier (Uttarkashi – Uttarakhand) Alakananda unites with Bhagirathi at Devprayag, Uttarakhand : Henceforth known as Ganga Passing through Rishikesh, it debounches in the plains of Haridwar From Haridwar, it flows Southward to reach Allahabad where it joins Yamuna Near Rajmahal Hills, it turns southeast & bifurcate at Farraka into Hoogly (Kolkata) & Padma (BD) At Bangladesh, Ganga merges with Brahmputra (Known as Jamuna in Bangladesh) at Goalundo Ghats, the mixture is known as Padma River Then it merges with Meghna & finally falls in Bay of Bengal Meghna : Known as Barack river in India National Parks: Nanda Devi National Park; Valley Of Flower(Pushpawati); Corbett National park(Ramganga & Kosi); Gangotri National Park(Bhagirathi); Rajaji National Park(Suswa, Ganga & Chilla)
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Yamuna:
Origin : Yamunotri Glacier (Uttarkashi – Uttarakhand) Largest Tributary of Ganga After cutting deep gorge across Shivalik, it enters into plains near Tajewala Flows southward up to Agra & then turns southeast to meet Ganga at Allahabad Famous tributaries :Chambal, Sind, Betwa & Ken National Parks: Panna(Ken);
Ghaghara:
Origin :Bharchachungar Glacier (Rakas lake) near Mansarovar Joins Ganga at Chhapra Known as Manchu or Karnali in Nepal Known as Saryu or Ghaghra in UP Perennial river Major tributaries : Sarda & Rakti National National Park: Dudhwa National Park(Sharda, Geruwa)
Gandak:
Origin: Sino – Nepal Boundary (Dhaulagiri range) Known as Kalyani in Nepal Major River of Nepal Joins Ganga at Sonpur, Bihar National Park: Valmiki National Park
Kosi:
Origin : Gosainath peak (Tibet)
Merges with river Ganga at Bhagalpur (Bihar) Consists of 7 streams & known as Saptakoshi in Nepal Main stream : Arun, Tamur & Sun Koshi Formerly Known as Sorrow of Bihar Major Projects : Kusha Dam
Son:
Origin :Amarkantak Plateau (Near north of origin of Narmada) Largest South Bank tributary of Ganga Flows through Kaimur Range to meet Ganga at Patna
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National Parks: Bandhavgarh; Sanjay(Banas); Batla(Koel)
Chambal:
Origin :Vindhya Range (Mhow, MP) Passes through Kota & Dhaulpur (Rajasthan) Merge with Yamuna at Etawah (UP) Forms boundary between Rajasthan & MP Major tributaries :Kali Sindh, Parvati & Banas Main Power Projects : Gandhisagar, Rana Pratap Sagar & Jawahar Sagar National Parks: Madhav(Kali Sindh); Keoladeo(Banganga; Gambhir); Ranthambore(Banas)
Damodar:
Origin: Eastern part of Chhota Nagpur Plateau Meets Hoogli at Falta Power Projects : Talaiya, Maithan, Barakar & Panchet National Prak: Sundarban National Park(Hoogli & Meghna)
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The Brahmaputra:
The Brahmaputra rises in Tibet, where it is known as Tsangpo and runs a long distance till it crosses over into India in Arunachal Pradesh under the name of Dihang. Near Passighat, the Debang and Lohit join the river. Brahmaputra and the combined river runs all along the Assam
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valley. It crosses into Bangladesh downstream of Dhubri. The principal tributaries of Brahmaputra in India are the Subansiri, Jia Bhareli, Dhansiri, Puthimari, Pagladiya and the Manas. The Brahmaputra in Bangladesh fed by Teesta, etc. finally falls into the Ganga. The Brahmaputra:
Origin : Chemayungdung Glacier (Kailash Range, Tibet) In Tibet, known as TSANG – PO In China, known as YARLUNG ZANBO Forms grand canyon in Tibet Turns southward near Namcha – Barwa Enters Arunachal Pradesh as Dihang River at Sadiya, emerging from the mountains Joined by Dibang river from the north & Lohit river from the south → Known as Brahamputra Turns at Dhubri to enter into Bangladesh After joining Teesta, known as Jamuna in Bangladesh Joins Ganga & Megna : Merges to BOB Forms many river island of which Majuli is world’s largest one Dibang River, Lohit River, Dhansiri River, Kolong River, kameng river, Manas River, Raidak River, Jaldhaka River, Teesta River, Subansiri River National Parks: Dibru‐Saikhowa National Park (Dibru); Kaziranga(Diphlu and Mora Dhansiri); Nameri(Jia‐Bharali); Rajiv Gandhi Orang(Dhansiri, Belsiri); Namdapha(Namdapha,Deban,Dehing); Mouling(Siyom); Nokrek(Simsang,Someshwari)
The Teesta:
Major tributary of Brahmaputra Rises from Sikkim Known as lifeline of Sikkim
Lohit:
Tributary of Brahmaputra Flows through Arunachal Pradesh Along with river Dihang merges into Brahmaputra, at Sadia town (Arunachal Pradesh)
Subansiri River:
Subansiri River is also known as the “Gold River” .
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Biggest tributary of the upper Brahmaputra River that flows through the rocky plains of eastern Himalayas entering Arunachal Pradesh, India. The river further flows ahead to Assam merging with the Brahmaputra River at Majuli. Manas River:
It is named after "Goddess Manasa", the serpent God in Hindu mythology. The Manas River is a trans‐boundary river in the Himalayan foothills between southern Bhutan and India. The river valley has two major reserve forest areas, namely the Royal Manas National Park in Bhutan and the contiguous Manas Wildlife Sanctuary encompassing Project Tiger reserve, an elephant reserve and a biosphere reserve, which constitutes a UNESCO World Heritage Site, declared in December 1985. National Parks: Manas(Beki);
Barak:
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The Barak river, the head stream of Meghna, rises in the hills in Manipur. The important tributaries of the river are Makku, Trang, Tuivai, Jiri, Sonai, Rukni, Katakhal, Dhaleswari, Langachini, Maduva and Jatinga. Barak continues in Bangladesh till the combined Ganga‐ Brahmaputra joins it near Bhairab Bazar.
Deccan Rivers: The Deccan rivers are rainfed and therefore fluctuate in volume. Many of these are non‐ perennial. In the Deccan region, most of the major river systems flowing generally in the east fall into Bay of Bengal. The major east flowing rivers are Godavari, Krishna, Cauvery and Mahanadi. Narmada and Tapti are major west flowing rivers. The Godavari in the southern Peninsula has the second largest river basin covering 10 per cent of the area of India. Next to it is the Krishna basin in the region and the Mahanadi is another large basin of the region. The basin of the Narmada in the uplands of the Deccan, flowing to the Arabian Sea and of the Cauvery in the south, falling into the Bay of Bengal are about the same size, though with different character and shape.
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Mahi:
Rises from Vindhya range (MP) Flows through MP, Rajasthan & Gujrat & drains in Gulf of Cambay Famous Projects : Banswara Dam & Kadana dam It cuts Tropic Of Cancer Two Times in Banswara.
Narmada:
Origin : Amarkantak, Shahdol, MP Also known as Rewa River Flows through rift valley of Vindhya & Satpura Flow Route: MP → Bharuch (Gujrat) → Gulf of Khambat (Gujrat) → Arabian Sea via Estuary Longest among all east to west flowing rivers Known as Life line of MP Forms Duandhar falls at Jabalpur National Parks & Sanctuaries: Kanha National Park; Satpura National Park; Mandla Plant Fossils National Park; Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve Aliabet: Largest Island in Estuary Famous projects :Sardar Sarovar Dam, Maheshwar Dam, Indira Gandhi Sagar Dam Tributaries: Burhner River, Banjar River, Sher River, Shakkar River, Dudhi River, Tawa River, Ganjal River, Chhota Tawa River, Kundi River, Goi River, Karjan River
Tapi:
Origin : Mahadev hills, Satpura range, Betul district, MP Flow Route: MP → Maharashtra → Gulf of Khambat or Cambay → Arabian Sea via Estuary Famous projects : Kakrapar Dam & Ukai Dam National Parks: Gugamal(Gadga) Tributaries: Girna River, Purna River, Panzara River, Bori River, Waghur River, and Aner River
Godavari:
Origin : Triambakeshwar Plateau, Nashik, WGs Largest Peninsular River Known as Dakshina / Vriddha Ganga
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Flow Route: Nashik → Andhra Pradesh → BOB Famous Tributaries : Penganga, Sabri, Wardha, Wainganga & Indravati Famous Projects : Poochampad, Jayakwadi, Polavaram National Parks: Pench(Pench‐ Wainganga); Indravati; Tadoba(Wainganga‐Andhari)
Mahanadi:
Origin : Dandakaranya Hills, Raipur Flow Route: Chhattisgarh → Orissa → EGs → BOB Famous Project : Hirakund Dam National Park: Bhitarkanika Tributaries: Seonath, Ib,Tel,Hasdo,Mang,Ong
Krishna:
Origin : Mahabaleshwar, Maharashtra, WGs Flow Route: Maharashtra → Andhra Pradesh → BOB Famous Projects : Koyna, Tugrabhdra, Srisailam & Nagarjuna Sagar Dam National Parks: Chandoli(Warna); Kudremukh(Tungbhdra) Tributaries:Bhima,Panchganga,Dudhganga,Tungabhdra,Konya,Ghataprabha,Malprab ha
Cauvery:
Origin : Brahamgiri hills, Karnataka, WGs Flow Route: Karnataka → Kaveripatnam (TN) →BOB Perrenial River Forms Shivasundaram Waterfalls Famous projects : Krishnaraja Sagar & Mettur National Parks: Bandipur(Kabini); Nagarhole(Kabini); Eravikulam; Mudumalai(Moyar) Tributaries: Kabini, Hemavati,Amravati,Suvarnavati,Bahvani
Inland Dranaige River System: Luni:
Origin: Naga Hills , Ajmer Name: Name derived from Snaskrit word ‘Lavanavari’(Salt River) Tributaries: Jojari, Sarsuti(Pushkar Lake), Bandi, Sukri
Ghaggar‐Hakra:
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Origin: Dagshai‐ Ghaggar(HP)
