Explain the river system of South India and compare in with the rivers of North India.
Answers
South Indian Rivers (Peninsular Rivers) are divided into two parts:
*Rivers falling into the Bay of Bengal
*Rivers falling into the Arabian Sea
Rivers falling into the Bay of Bengal: Most of the peninsular river originate from west and fall into the Bay of Bengal. Some of the peninsular rivers are:
1. The Kaveri River: It originates from Durg district, Karnataka. It is called Ganga of South India. Thanjavur is a fertile district known as garden of south which is made up of delta of the Kaveri River.
2. The Mahanadi River: It originates from Raipur district of Chhattisgarh. On this river Hirakund dam has been created. Its delta is very fertile.
3. The Krishna River: It originates from the Western Ghat near Mahabaleshwar. Its drainage basin is shared by Maharashtra, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.
4. The Godavari River: It is the longest peninsular river. It originates from Trayanbak in Western Ghats near Nasik in Maharashtra.
Rivers falling into the Arabian Sea: Narmada is the longest river which originates from Amarkantak. It flows in rift valley. The Tapti River originates from Betul district of Madhya Pradesh. Narmada and Tapti are main peninsular rivers which drain into the Arabian Sea. The other rivers which drain into the Arabian Sea are Mahi, Sukari, Badi, Sharvati etc.