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CH - 3 Drainage
CH - 3 Drainage
Geography Notes
Answer the following questions.
1) What is meant by a water divide? Give an example.
Any elevated area that are separated by two drainage basins such upland is called a water divide. (eg) Ambala
(Indus & Ganga)
2) Which is the largest river basin in India?
The Ganga River Basin
3) Where do the rivers Indus and Ganga have their origin?
In the Himalayas
4) Name the two headstreams of the Ganga. Where do they meet to form the Ganga?
Bhagirathi and Alaknanda are the two headstreams of Ganga. They meet at Devprayag to form the Ganga.
5) Why does the Brahmaputra in its Tibetan part have less silt, despite a longer course?
Since Tibet is a cold and dry area, so Brahmaputra in this part carries less silt despite having a longer course.
6) Which two peninsular rivers flow through trough?
Narmada and Tapi
7) State some economic benefits of rivers and lakes.
Lake can be used for generating hydroelectricity. A lake can be a good tourist attraction. Rivers have been the
centre of human civilization since ancient times. Even today, many big cities are situated on the bank of
a river. River water is used for irrigation, navigation, hydroelectricity, fisheries, etc.
8) List some natural and manmade lakes of India.
Natur Q'sal Lakes: Wular, Dal, Bhimtal, Loktak, Barapani, Chilika, Sambhar, Pulicat
Man-made Lakes: Gobind Sagar, Rana Pratap Sagar, Nizam Sagar, Nagarjuna Sagar, Hirakud
9) Differentiate between the Himalayan and the Peninsular Rivers.
2 Most of the rivers have long course Most of the rivers have shorter course
3 Rivers are perennial Rivers are rain fed and dry up during summer
10) Compare the east flowing and the west flowing rivers of the peninsular plateau.
The east flowing rivers of the peninsular part drain into Bay of Bengal and form deltas at their
mouths. The west flowing rivers drain into Arabian Sea and form estuaries. Most of the east
flowing rivers are longer, compared to the west flowing rivers.
11) Why are rivers important for the country’s economy?
Rivers are the major source of water for irrigation and hence are important for a country where farming is still
the occupation of the largest portion of population. Many major rivers serve as important channels for
transporting goods and people and thus play important role in the supply chain. Many multipurpose
projects have been built on most of the major rivers in India. Rivers are important source of fish to a
large population.
12) Explain the various Drainage Patterns. (Draw the diagram from the book Pg18)
Depending on the slope of land, underlying rock structure and climate of an area, the streams in a drainage
basin form certain patters. Different types of drainage pattern are as follows:
a. Dendritic Drainage Pattern: When the river channel follows the slope of the terrain, it develops
dendritic pattern. The stream and its tributaries resemble the branches of a tree. Hence, it is called
dendritic pattern.
b. Trellis Drainage Pattern: When a river is joined by its tributaries at almost right angles, it develops a
trellis pattern. Trellis pattern develops where hard and soft rocks exist parallel to each other.
c. Rectangular Drainage Pattern: When rocks are strongly joined, then rectangular pattern develops.
d. Radial Drainage Pattern: When the streams flow in different directions from a central peak or dome
like structure, a radial pattern is developed.
2 Formed in the regions of low tides. Formed in the regions of high tides.
3 Make the land very fertile Does not make the land fertile.