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Difficulty: HardDrainage System and Water Resources of India

Consider the following geographical features of a major river system in Peninsular India:

1. It originates from the Western Ghats near Mahabaleshwar at an elevation of about 1,337 m1,337\text{ m}.
2. Its major right-bank tributaries include the Koyna, Ghataprabha, Malaprabha, and Tungabhadra.
3. The drainage basin is shared across the states of Maharashtra, Karnataka, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh.

Which of the following river systems matches all the characteristics described above?

  1. Krishna River systemAnswer
  2. B
    Godavari River system
  3. C
    Cauvery River system
  4. D
    Mahanadi River system

Answer

Krishna River system
The description accurately defines the Krishna River system. The Krishna rises in the Western Ghats at Mahabaleshwar, has right-bank tributaries including the Koyna, Ghataprabha, Malaprabha, and Tungabhadra, and drains parts of Maharashtra, Karnataka, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the origin point
The river originates at Mahabaleshwar in the Western Ghats of Maharashtra.
The Krishna River is the second largest east-flowing Peninsular river and begins near Mahabaleshwar at an altitude of approximately 1,337 m1,337\text{ m}.
2
Identify the right-bank tributary composition
Koyna, Ghataprabha, Malaprabha, and Tungabhadra are confirmed right-bank tributaries of the Krishna River.
These tributaries flow from the south and west into the main Krishna stream, forming a major portion of its right-bank discharge.
3
Verify inter-state basin distribution
The drainage basin spans Maharashtra, Karnataka, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh.
The total catchment area of the Krishna basin (around 258,948 km2258,948\text{ km}^2) is distributed across these four southern and central Indian states.

Key Concept

Physical Geography of Peninsular River Basins (Krishna System)
Estimated Time:1m 30s
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Topics

Drainage System and Water Resources of India

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