Drainage System of India: NCERT Class 9

Geography Notes

Drainage System
The drainage system refers to the network of rivers, streams, and lakes that drain
an area, shaping India’s agriculture, economy, and life.
• Definition: Network of rivers, streams, and lakes draining an area; the area
drained by a river and its tributaries is called a drainage basin.
• Types of Drainage Patterns:
– Dendritic: Tree-like pattern (e.g., Ganga).
– Trellis: Tributaries join at right angles (e.g., Narmada).
– Radial: Rivers flow outward from a central point (e.g., Amarkantak Hills).
– Centripetal: Rivers flow into a central depression (e.g., Sambhar Lake).
• Drainage Systems in India:
– Himalayan Rivers: Long, perennial, form meanders and deltas (e.g., In-
dus, Ganga, Brahmaputra).
– Peninsular Rivers: Shorter, seasonal, fixed courses, mostly flow east to
Bay of Bengal (e.g., Godavari, Krishna), except Narmada and Tapi (west
to Arabian Sea).
• Importance:
– Provides water for irrigation, drinking, and industries.
– Fertile alluvial soil for agriculture.
– Hydroelectricity generation.
– Inland navigation and transport.
– Supports fisheries and biodiversity.
Summary: India’s drainage system, comprising Himalayan and Peninsular rivers,
supports agriculture, economy, and biodiversity with water and fertile soil.

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Himalayan Rivers
Himalayan rivers are perennial, fed by snow and rain, forming large basins with
meanders and deltas.

The Ganga River System

• Origin:
– Originates from Gangotri Glacier, Uttarakhand (as Bhagirathi).
– Bhagirathi joins Alaknanda at Devprayag, forming the Ganga.
• Course:
– Flows through Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, West Ben-
gal.
– Splits in West Bengal into Bhagirathi-Hooghly (India) and Padma (Bangladesh).
– Padma joins Brahmaputra and Meghna, forming Sundarbans Delta.
• Tributaries:
– Right-bank (from Peninsular Plateau): Yamuna (longest, joins at Praya-
graj), Son (joins near Patna), Damodar, Punpun.
– Left-bank (from Himalayas): Ghaghara (largest), Gandak, Kosi (“Sorrow
of Bihar” due to floods), Ramganga, Mahananda.
• Length & Basin:
– Total length: ∼2,525 km (India + Bangladesh).
– Basin: Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, parts
of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh.
– Largest river basin in India.
• Importance:
– Agriculture: Fertile Indo-Gangetic plain (“Granary of India”).
– Water: Drinking, irrigation, hydropower.
– Religious: Sacred in Hinduism.
– Economy: Navigation, fishing, trade.
– Delta: Sundarbans (world’s largest, UNESCO site).
Diagram (Map-Style Explanation for Exams):
– Draw a map of northern India with the Himalayas at the top.
– Mark Gangotri Glacier (Uttarakhand) as the origin (label Bhagirathi).
– Show Bhagirathi joining Alaknanda at Devprayag (label “Ganga starts here”).
– Trace Ganga’s path: Uttarakhand � Uttar Pradesh � Bihar � West Bengal.

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 – In West Bengal, show split into Bhagirathi-Hooghly (south to Bay of Bengal)
and Padma (east to Bangladesh, joining Brahmaputra).
– Mark left-bank tributaries (north side): Ghaghara, Gandak, Kosi, Ramganga,
Mahananda.
– Mark right-bank tributaries (south side): Yamuna (at Prayagraj), Son (near
Patna), Damodar, Punpun.
– Label Sundarbans Delta at the mouth in Bay of Bengal.

The Brahmaputra River System

• Origin:
– Originates in Tibet from Chemayungdung Glacier near Manasarovar
Lake (as Tsangpo).
– Flows eastwards parallel to Himalayas.
• Course:
– Tibet: Tsangpo, flows east for 1,600 km.
– Arunachal Pradesh: Enters India as Siang/Dihang via Namcha Barwa
gorge.
– Assam: Becomes Brahmaputra after receiving tributaries.
– Bangladesh: As Jamuna, merges with Ganga (Padma) and Meghna, form-
ing Sundarbans Delta.
• Tributaries:
– Right-bank: Subansiri, Kameng, Manas, Sankosh.
– Left-bank: Burhi Dihing, Dibang, Lohit, Dhansiri.
• Length & Basin:
– Total length: ∼2,900 km (1,625 km Tibet, 918 km India, 337 km Bangladesh).
– Basin: Tibet, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, West
Bengal, Bangladesh.
• Special Features:
– Carries heavy silt and water due to monsoon rains.
– Known for floods and shifting channels in Assam.
– High navigational and hydropower potential.
– Forms Sundarbans Delta with Ganga.
• Importance:
– Agriculture: Fertile soil in Assam, Bangladesh.
– Transport: Navigable in Assam, Bangladesh.

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 – Hydropower: Strong currents for dams.
– Biodiversity: Supports wetlands (e.g., Kaziranga National Park).
– Cultural: Sacred for local communities.

The Indus River System

• Origin:
– Originates in Kailash Range, Tibet, near Manasarovar Lake (as Singi Kham-
ban).
• Course:
– Tibet: Flows northwest.
– Ladakh (India): Flows between Ladakh and Zaskar ranges.
– Pakistan: Flows through Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan plains, to Arabian Sea
near Karachi.
• Tributaries:
– Left-bank (India/Punjab): Jhelum (Verinag, Kashmir), Chenab (Chandra-
Bhaga, Himachal), Ravi (Kullu hills), Beas (Rohtang Pass), Sutlej (Rakshas
Tal, Tibet).
– Right-bank: Shyok, Gilgit, Zaskar, Hunza, Kabul.
– Note: Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Beas, Sutlej form “Punjab” (Land of Five
Rivers).
• Length & Basin:
– Total length: ∼2,880 km (1,114 km in India).
– Basin: Tibet, India (Ladakh, J&K, Himachal, Punjab), Pakistan.
– Shared under Indus Water Treaty (1960).
• Special Features:
– One of the longest rivers globally.
– Deep gorges in Ladakh, fertile plains in Pakistan.
– Largest irrigation system (Indus Basin Irrigation).
• Importance:
– Civilisation: Cradle of Indus Valley Civilisation (Harappa, Mohenjodaro).
– Agriculture: Wheat, cotton, rice in Indus plains.
– Water: Irrigation, hydropower.
– Transport: Navigable in Pakistan.
– Cultural: Ancient trade and settlements.

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Comparative Chart: Ganga, Brahmaputra, Indus

River Ganga Brahmaputra Indus

Origin Gangotri ChemayungdungKailash Range,
Glacier, Ut- Glacier, Tibet Tibet
tarakhand
Length ∼2,525 km ∼2,900 km ∼2,880 km
Tributaries Yamuna, Son, Subansiri, Jhelum,
Ghaghara, Kosi Dibang, Lohit Chenab, Ravi,
Beas, Sutlej
Delta/Sea Sundarbans Sundarbans Arabian Sea
Delta (Bay of Delta (Bay of
Bengal) Bengal)
Importance Agriculture Agriculture, Indus Valley
(Granary of hydropower, Civilisation,
India), sacred, biodiversity irrigation, agri-
navigation (Kaziranga) culture

Table 1: Comparison of Ganga, Brahmaputra, and Indus River Systems

Peninsular Rivers
Peninsular rivers are older, seasonal, rain-fed, with fixed courses, mostly flowing
east to the Bay of Bengal, except Narmada and Tapi (west to Arabian Sea).
• Narmada River:
– Origin: Amarkantak Plateau, Madhya Pradesh.
– Direction: West to Arabian Sea.
– Length: ∼1,312 km.
– Features: Flows in rift valley (Vindhya-Satpura).
– Tributaries: Hiran, Orsang, Barna, Tawa.
– Special: Dhuandhar Falls, Sardar Sarovar Dam.
• Tapi River:
– Origin: Satpura ranges, Madhya Pradesh.
– Direction: West to Arabian Sea.
– Length: ∼724 km.
– Features: Rift valley, parallel to Narmada.
– Tributaries: Purna, Girna, Panjhra.
– Special: Flows through Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat.
• Godavari River:

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 – Origin: Trimbak Hills, Nasik, Maharashtra.
– Direction: East to Bay of Bengal.
– Length: ∼1,465 km (longest Peninsular river, “Dakshin Ganga”).
– Tributaries: Manjira, Penganga, Indravati, Sabari, Pranhita.
– Special: Large delta in Andhra Pradesh.
• Mahanadi River:
– Origin: Sihawa ranges, Chhattisgarh.
– Direction: East to Bay of Bengal.
– Length: ∼860 km.
– Tributaries: Seonath, Jonk, Hasdeo, Mand.
– Special: Hirakud Dam, fertile Odisha delta.
• Krishna River:
– Origin: Mahabaleshwar, Western Ghats, Maharashtra.
– Direction: East to Bay of Bengal.
– Length: ∼1,400 km.
– Tributaries: Bhima, Tungabhadra, Ghataprabha, Malaprabha, Musi.
– Special: Nagarjuna Sagar, Srisailam dams.
• Kaveri River:
– Origin: Talakaveri, Brahmagiri Hills, Karnataka.
– Direction: East to Bay of Bengal.
– Length: ∼760 km.
– Tributaries: Hemavati, Kabini, Bhavani, Amaravati.
– Special: “Ganga of the South”, Shivanasamudra Falls, fertile Tamil Nadu
delta (“Granary of South India”).
Map-Style Diagram for Peninsular Rivers:
– Draw a map of peninsular India (south of Vindhya-Satpura ranges).
– Mark origins: Narmada, Tapi (Amarkantak, Satpura, Madhya Pradesh), Go-
davari (Nasik, Maharashtra), Krishna (Mahabaleshwar), Mahanadi (Chhattis-
garh), Kaveri (Brahmagiri, Karnataka).
– Show Narmada and Tapi flowing west to Arabian Sea (Gulf of Khambhat).
– Show Godavari, Krishna, Mahanadi, Kaveri flowing east to Bay of Bengal,
forming deltas (label Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Tamil Nadu deltas).
– Mark key features: Dhuandhar Falls (Narmada), Hirakud Dam (Mahanadi),
Shivanasamudra Falls (Kaveri).

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Quick Comparison Table:

River Origin Flows into Length Special Fea-

ture
Narmada Amarkantak, Arabian Sea 1,312 Rift valley, Sar-
MP km dar Sarovar
Tapi Satpura, MP Arabian Sea 724 km Rift valley
Godavari Nasik, MH Bay of Ben- 1,465 Dakshin
gal km Ganga, delta
Mahanadi Chhattisgarh Bay of Ben- 860 km Hirakud Dam,
gal delta
Krishna Mahabaleshwar,
Bay of Ben- 1,400 Nagarjuna
MH gal km Sagar
Kaveri Karnataka Bay of Ben- 760 km Granary of
gal South India

Table 2: Peninsular Rivers Comparison

Lakes
• Definition: Large water bodies surrounded by land, containing fresh or salt
water, either natural or man-made.
• Types of Lakes:
– Natural Lakes:
· Freshwater Lakes: Formed by glaciers in Himalayan regions (e.g., Dal
Lake, Wular Lake (largest freshwater, J&K), Bhimtal, Nainital, Lok-
tak).
· Saltwater Lakes: In arid/semi-arid regions (e.g., Sambhar Lake (largest
saltwater, Rajasthan), Chilka Lake (largest brackish, Odisha), Puli-
cat).
· Glacial Lakes: Formed by melting glaciers (e.g., Tso Moriri, Pangong
Tso, Ladakh).
· Lagoon Lakes: Sea water separated by sandbars (e.g., Chilka, Pulicat,
Vembanad).
· Volcanic Lakes: In volcanic craters (e.g., Lonar Lake, Maharashtra).
– Artificial Lakes: Built for water storage (e.g., Gobind Sagar (Sutlej, Pun-
jab), Hussain Sagar (Hyderabad), Dhebar/Jaisamand Lake (Rajasthan)).
• Importance:
– Storage of fresh water.
– Irrigation and drinking water.
– Fishing and aquaculture.

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 – Hydroelectricity (reservoirs).
– Tourism and recreation (e.g., Dal, Nainital).
– Climate regulation and biodiversity support.
Mind-Map Style Chart for Lakes:
– Central Node: “Lakes”
– Branch 1: Natural Lakes
· Freshwater: Dal, Wular (J&K), Loktak (Manipur).
· Saltwater: Sambhar (Rajasthan), Chilka (Odisha).
· Glacial: Tso Moriri, Pangong Tso (Ladakh).
· Lagoon: Chilka, Pulicat, Vembanad.
· Volcanic: Lonar (Maharashtra).
– Branch 2: Artificial Lakes
· Gobind Sagar, Hussain Sagar, Dhebar Lake.
– Branch 3: Importance
· Water storage, irrigation, hydropower, tourism, biodiversity.
– Sketching Tip: Draw a central circle (“Lakes”), connect branches with lines,
and add sub-branches for each type and example.

Role of Rivers in the Economy

• Agriculture: Irrigation water, fertile alluvial soil for crops.
• Drinking Water: Main source for rural and urban areas.
• Industry: Water for textile, steel, paper industries.
• Hydroelectricity: Dams generate power (e.g., Bhakra Nangal, Sardar Sarovar).
• Transport: Navigable rivers (e.g., Ganga, Brahmaputra).
• Fisheries: Support aquaculture and livelihoods.
• Tourism: Riverbanks attract tourists (e.g., Ganga ghats).
• Religious: Sacred rivers boost pilgrimage economy.
Short Answer (2–3 Marks):
– Irrigation for agriculture.
– Drinking water supply.
– Hydropower from dams.
– Navigation and transport.

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 – Supports fishing and tourism.

River Pollution
• Causes:
– Domestic Waste: Untreated sewage.
– Industrial Effluents: Chemicals, heavy metals, dyes.
– Agricultural Runoff: Fertilizers, pesticides.
– Religious Practices: Idols, flowers, ashes.
– Plastic & Solid Waste: Non-biodegradable waste.
– Deforestation: Siltation from soil erosion.
• Effects:
– Health hazards (e.g., cholera, typhoid).
– Loss of aquatic life due to oxygen depletion.
– Unfit for drinking/irrigation.
– Economic loss (agriculture, fisheries, tourism).
– Ecosystem imbalance.
• Solutions:
– Sewage treatment plants.
– Strict industrial waste laws.
– Promote organic farming.
– Awareness (e.g., Namami Gange Programme).
– Ban plastic/religious waste dumping.
Short Answer (2–3 Marks):
– Causes: Sewage, industrial effluents, agricultural runoff, plastic waste.
– Effects: Waterborne diseases, loss of aquatic life, economic loss.
– Solutions: Sewage treatment, strict laws, awareness campaigns.

Map-Style Diagram: Himalayan vs. Peninsular Rivers

– Draw a map of India.
– Himalayan Rivers: Mark Indus (northwest to Arabian Sea), Ganga (central, to
Bay of Bengal via Sundarbans), Brahmaputra (northeast, to Sundarbans).

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– Peninsular Rivers: Mark Narmada, Tapi (west to Arabian Sea), Godavari, Kr-
ishna, Kaveri, Mahanadi (east to Bay of Bengal).
– Label origins (e.g., Gangotri for Ganga, Amarkantak for Narmada) and deltas/seas.
– Show Himalayan rivers with meanders, Peninsular rivers with fixed courses.

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