Drainage System of India

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• Drainage: Flow of water through well-defined channels. Network of such channels is called a Drainage System .
• Drainage basin: An area drained by a river and its tributaries.
• Watershed: Boundary line separating one drainage basin from other.
• River basins are larger watersheds.
• Drainage pattern of an area depends on the geological time period, nature and structure of rocks, topography, rocks, slope, amount of water and periodicity of flow.

Important drainage patterns:

1. Dendritic: Resembling the branches of a tree. Eg. Northern Plain rivers
2. Radial: Originate from a hill and flow in all directions. Eg. Rivers in Amarkantak
3. Trellis: Primary tributaries parallel to each other and secondary tributaries join them at right angles.
4. Centripetal: Rivers discharge waters from all directions in a lake or depression

A river drains the water collected from a specific area, which is called its catchment area.

Nearly 77 pc of drainage is towards the Bay of Bengal while about 23 pc is towards the Arabian Sea.

The Himalayan Drainage System

Mainly includes the Ganga, Indus and Brahmaputra river basins.

Over the plains, rivers of this system change the course often. River Kosi is also known as the ‘sorrow of Bihar’ due to flooding by its frequent change of course by deposition of sediments.

Evolution

Geologists believe that a mighty river called Shivalik or Indo-Brahma traversed the entire length of the Himalayas some 5-24 million years ago. Over time this got dismembered into the present three major river systems.

The Indus System

Indus river originates from a glacier near Bokhar Chu in Tibet in the Kailash Mountain range. Known as Singi Khamban (Lion’s mouth) in Tibet. It forms a spectacular gorge near Gilgit in J&K. Enters Pakistan near Chillar in the Dardistan region. Flows only through the Leh distt of J&K.

Smaller tributaries: Shyok, Gilgit, Zaskar, Nubra, Hunza, Shigar, Gasting, Dras. On right bank: Kabul river, Khurram, Tochi, Gomal, Viboa and hte Sangar.

Major tributaries: Satluj, Beas, Ravi, Chenab, Jhelum

The Ganga System

It is the largest river system in India.

Ganga rises in the Gangotri glacier near Gaumukh in the Uttarkashi district. Here it is known as the Bhagirathi. At Devprayag, Bhagirathi meets Alaknanda and is known as Ganga hereafter.

Panchprayag

• Ganga enters the plains at Haridwar.
• Left Bank tributaries (LBT): Ramganga, Gomati, Ghaghara, Gandak, Kosi and Mahananda.
• Right Bank tributaries (RBT): Son
• Discharges into Bay of Bengal near Sagar island.

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The drainage system of India is a complex and interconnected network of rivers, streams, and canals. The major rivers in India are the Ganges, the Brahmaputra, and the Indus. These rivers flow through the northern plains of India and provide water for Irrigation, drinking, and transportation. The drainage system of India is also home to a number of important wetlands, including the Sundarbans and the Chilika Lake. These wetlands provide habitat for a variety of wildlife and are important for flood control.

The drainage system of India is facing a number of challenges, including pollution, deforestation, and Climate change. Pollution from industrial and agricultural activities is a major problem in many parts of India. This pollution can contaminate water supplies and harm aquatic life. Deforestation is also a major problem in India. Trees help to regulate the flow of water and prevent Soil erosion. When trees are cut down, the risk of flooding and landslides increases. Climate Change is also having a significant impact on the drainage system of India. Rising temperatures are causing glaciers to melt and sea levels to rise. This is leading to more frequent and severe floods in many parts of India.

The government of India is taking a number of steps to address the challenges facing the drainage system. These steps include investing in water treatment Plants, planting trees, and implementing flood control measures. The government is also working to reduce pollution and deforestation. These efforts are essential to protect the drainage system of India and ensure that it continues to provide essential Services to the people of India.

Major rivers of India

The Ganges, the Brahmaputra, and the Indus are the three major rivers of India. The Ganges is the longest river in India and the third longest river in Asia. It flows through the northern plains of India and is a major source of water for irrigation, drinking, and transportation. The Brahmaputra is the second longest river in India and the ninth longest river in Asia. It flows through the northeastern states of India and Bangladesh. The Indus is the third longest river in India and the 21st longest river in Asia. It flows through the northwestern states of India and Pakistan.

Wetlands of India

The Sundarbans and the Chilika Lake are two of the most important wetlands in India. The Sundarbans is a mangrove forest located in the delta of the Ganges and Brahmaputra rivers. It is the largest mangrove forest in the world and is home to a variety of wildlife, including tigers, crocodiles, and dolphins. The Chilika Lake is a brackish lagoon located in the state of Odisha. It is the largest freshwater lake in India and is home to a variety of fish, birds, and other wildlife.

Challenges facing the drainage system of India

The drainage system of India is facing a number of challenges, including pollution, deforestation, and climate change. Pollution from industrial and agricultural activities is a major problem in many parts of India. This pollution can contaminate water supplies and harm aquatic life. Deforestation is also a major problem in India. Trees help to regulate the flow of water and prevent soil erosion. When trees are cut down, the risk of flooding and landslides increases. Climate change is also having a significant impact on the drainage system of India. Rising temperatures are causing glaciers to melt and sea levels to rise. This is leading to more frequent and severe floods in many parts of India.

Government initiatives to address the challenges facing the drainage system of India

The government of India is taking a number of steps to address the challenges facing the drainage system. These steps include investing in water treatment plants, planting trees, and implementing flood control measures. The government is also working to reduce pollution and deforestation. These efforts are essential to protect the drainage system of India and ensure that it continues to provide essential services to the people of India.

Conclusion

The drainage system of India is a complex and interconnected network of rivers, streams, and canals. It is a vital part of the Indian economy and provides water for irrigation, drinking, and transportation. The drainage system is also home to a number of important wetlands, which provide habitat for a variety of wildlife and are important for flood control. However, the drainage system is facing a number of challenges, including pollution, deforestation, and climate change. The government of India is taking a number of steps to address these challenges, but more needs to be done to protect this vital resource.

What is the drainage system?

The drainage system is a network of rivers, streams, and other watercourses that collect and carry water away from the land.

What are the different types of Drainage Systems?

There are two main types of drainage systems: surface drainage and subsurface drainage. Surface drainage is the movement of water over the surface of the land, while subsurface drainage is the movement of water through the soil.

What are the benefits of a good drainage system?

A good drainage system can help to prevent flooding, erosion, and Water Pollution. It can also improve the Quality Of Life for people who live in areas with poor drainage by reducing the risk of Health problems and property damage.

What are the challenges of maintaining a good drainage system?

One of the biggest challenges of maintaining a good drainage system is keeping it clear of debris. Debris can clog up the system and prevent water from flowing freely. Another challenge is dealing with climate change. Climate change is causing more extreme weather events, such as floods and droughts, which can put a strain on drainage systems.

What are some of the most common drainage problems?

Some of the most common drainage problems include flooding, erosion, and water pollution. Flooding occurs when water levels rise above the ground and inundate areas that are not normally flooded. Erosion occurs when water carries away soil and rocks. Water pollution occurs when water is contaminated with harmful substances, such as chemicals or sewage.

How can drainage problems be solved?

There are a number of ways to solve drainage problems. One way is to improve the drainage system by installing new pipes or channels. Another way is to reduce the amount of water that flows into the drainage system by building Dams or levees. Finally, it is important to protect the Environment by preventing pollution from entering the drainage system.

What is the future of drainage systems?

The future of drainage systems is likely to be shaped by climate change. Climate change is causing more extreme weather events, such as floods and droughts, which will put a strain on drainage systems. In order to cope with these challenges, drainage systems will need to be made more resilient. This can be done by using new technologies, such as smart sensors and Artificial Intelligence, to monitor and manage drainage systems.

Sure, here are some MCQs on the topics of rivers, lakes, and Oceans:

1. Which of the following is the longest river in India?
   (A) The Ganges
   (B) The Brahmaputra
   (C) The Indus
   (D) The Narmada

2. Which of the following is the largest lake in India?
   (A) The Wular Lake
   (B) The Dal Lake
   (C) The Sambhar Lake
   (D) The Chilka Lake

3. Which of the following is the largest ocean in the world?
   (A) The Pacific Ocean
   (B) The Atlantic Ocean
   (C) The Indian Ocean
   (D) The Arctic Ocean

4. Which of the following is the deepest ocean in the world?
   (A) The Pacific Ocean
   (B) The Atlantic Ocean
   (C) The Indian Ocean
   (D) The Arctic Ocean

5. Which of the following is the largest island in the world?
   (A) Greenland
   (B) Australia
   (C) New Guinea
   (D) Madagascar

6. Which of the following is the largest continent in the world?
   (A) Asia
   (B) Africa
   (C) North America
   (D) South America

7. Which of the following is the smallest continent in the world?
   (A) Australia
   (B) Antarctica
   (C) Europe
   (D) Asia

8. Which of the following is the highest mountain in the world?
   (A) Mount Everest
   (B) K2
   (C) Kangchenjunga
   (D) Dhaulagiri

9. Which of the following is the largest desert in the world?
   (A) The Sahara Desert
   (B) The Arabian Desert
   (C) The Gobi Desert
   (D) The Atacama Desert

10. Which of the following is the largest rainforest in the world?
    (A) The Amazon rainforest
    (B) The Congo rainforest
    (C) The Indonesian rainforest
    (D) The Amazon rainforest

I hope these questions were helpful!