Drainage Class 9 Notes

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The chapter Drainage class 9 notes Geography introduces students to the intricate network of rivers and water bodies that shape India’s physical landscape. From the mighty Himalayan rivers like the Ganga and Brahmaputra to the Peninsular rivers such as the Godavari and Krishna.

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What is drainage basin?

A drainage basin is the area where all the water from rain, rivers, and streams flows into one main river, lake, or sea. It is just like a big bowl where all the water collects and moves toward one direction. There are two types of drainage systems in India.

Himalayan River: It is found in North India. It starts from glaciers in the Himalayas. It flows towards the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal. These rivers are long, deep, and water flow all over the year. Example: Ganga, Indus, and Brahmaputra.
Peninsular River: It is found in South India. It starts from rainwater on plateaus and hills. Mainly flow toward the Bay of Bengal. These rivers are short and seasonal, for example, the Godavari, Kaveri, and Narmada.

1. The Himalayan Rivers

There are three main rivers that flow from the Himalayas: the Ganga River, the Indus River, and the Brahmaputra River. Those rivers are long and large, and the water flows all over the year. These rivers are very important due to hydropower, irrigation, use for drinking water, and transportation.

Indus River System: The Indus River System starts from Tibet and flows through India and Pakistan and ends in the Arabian Sea. This is the longest river in Pakistan. The side rivers that join the Indus River are Sutlej, Beas, Ravi, Chenab, and Jhelum. The Indus River is used for farming, transportation, and hydropower. The animals that are found in this river are fish, birds, and crocodiles.
Ganga River System: The Ganga River starts from the Gangotri Glacier. It is also called the Bhagirathi in its early age. The Ganga River joins the Alaknanda River at Devaprayag and becomes the Ganga. The major rivers that join the Ganga are Yamuna, Ghaghara, Gandak, and Kosi. The length of the Ganga River is over 2500 km, and it splits in Farakka (West Bengal). One branch flows to the Bay of Bengal, which is known as Bhagirathi-Hooghly, and the main branch flows to Bangladesh, where it is called the Padma, and joins with the Brahmaputra and becomes the Meghna River. Lastly, the Meghna River carries all the water into the Bay of Bengal, forming the Ganga-Brahmaputra-Meghna Delta, the largest delta in the world.
Brahmaputra River: The Brahmaputra River starts in Tibet, where it is called Tsangpo, and enters India through Arunachal Pradesh, where it is called Dihang. The Brahmaputra River joins Dibang, Lohit, and some small rivers. The river flows from Assam to Bangladesh. Later on, it joins with the Ganga and becomes the Meghna River. The Brahmaputra River has a rich biodiversity; the river is mostly used for farming, transportation, and electricity.

2. The Peninsular Rivers

The Peninsular Rivers are a group of rivers in South India that flow through the Deccan Plateau and other peninsular regions of the country. These rivers are shorter and less permanent than the Himalayan rivers. Some of the main Peninsular Rivers in India include the Godavari, the Kaveri, the Narmada, the Tapi, the mahanadi river and the Krishna.

The Godavari River: The Godavari River is the largest Peninsular river in India; the length of the river is about 1500 km (930 miles). The Godavari River flows from the Western Ghats in the Nasik district of Maharashtra and goes to Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, and Andhra Pradesh. The Godavari River is also known as Dakshin Ganga.
The Kaveri River: The Kaveri River is an important river in southern India. The Kaveri River rises in the Brahmagiri range of the Western Ghats. The Kaveri River has a total length of 760 km (470 miles) and flows through the states of Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu, and the Kaveri Basin is important for agricultural and economic growth.
The Narmada River: Originated from Amarkantak Plateau, Madhya Pradesh. The Narmada River flows west into the Arabian Sea and is famous for scenic gorges and waterfalls. The Narmada River is the main river in the Narmada Basin, which has a total length of 1312 km (816 miles). The Narmada Basin is known for its natural beauty, with several national parks and wildlife sanctuaries.
The Tapi River: The Tapti River originated from the Satpura ranges in the Betul district of Madhya Pradesh. The total length of the Tapi River is 724 km (450 miles), and it flows through the states of Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, and Maharashtra. The Tapi River is important for agriculture, water for irrigation, hydropower, and drinking water for millions of people.
The Mahanadi River: The Mahanadi River is a major river in central and eastern India. The Mahanadi River rises in Chhattisgarh and has a total length of about 860 km (530 miles). The drainage basin of the Mahanadi River is shared by the states of Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, and Odisha.
The Krishna River: The Krishna River is a major river in southern India. The Krishna River rises from Mahabaleshwar and has a total length of 1400 km (870 miles). The Krishna is the fourth longest river in India.

Lakes

Lakes are bodies of water that are surrounded by land and are larger than ponds. Lakes can be found all around the world and can vary in size and depth. Some lakes are permanent, meaning they contain water throughout the year, while others are seasonal and only contain water during certain times of the year.

Srinagar and Nainital are popular and attractive tourist destinations.
Some lakes in India are seasonal, like Sambhar Lake in Rajasthan.
Most of the freshwater lakes are present in the Himalayan region.
The Wular Lake in Jammu and Kashmir is the largest freshwater lake in India, while other important freshwater lakes are Dal Lake, Bhimtal, Nainital, Loktak, and Barapani.

Importance of Lakes

Lakes are important for many reasons, both for the environment and for human use. Here are a few examples of the importance of lakes:

Lakes are helpful for regulating the flow of rivers by storing water and releasing it slowly.
During the heavy rain, the lakes can prevent flooding by storing excess water.
During the dry season, the lake helps to maintain water flow in the river.
Lakes can be used for hydroelectric power.
Lakes provide important habitat for birds, plants, and animals.
Lakes provide freshwater for drinking, irrigation, and other purposes.
Lakes can be popular destinations for swimming, boating, and fishing.

River Pollution

River pollution is a major environmental concern. It happens when harmful substances, such as industrial chemicals, agricultural waste, and untreated sewage, enter the river; due to that, the water quality degrades. This pollution affects aquatic life, destroys natural habitats, and can spread diseases to humans. To reduce river pollution, proper waste management, sewage treatment, and eco-friendly farming practices are essential. Clean and healthy rivers are important for sustainable development and for maintaining ecological balance in the country.

What is a drainage basin?

What is the water in a drainage basin called?

The water that flows in the drainage basin is called runoff.

What is the boundary of a drainage basin called?

The boundary of a drainage basin is called the watershed. It is the line that separates the drainage basin.

Where is the ‘Bhagirathi’ river located?

The Bhagirathi River is located in Uttarakhand and comes from the Gangotri Glacier in the Himalayas. It joins the Alaknanda River at Devprayag to form the Ganga.

What is a ‘lagoon’?

A lagoon is a shallow water body along the coast, separated from the sea by a sandbar or coral reef. It has salty or fresh water and supports many different types of species. An example of a lagoon is Chilka Lake in Odisha.

What is the longest river in India?

The Ganges is the longest river in India, with a total length of approximately 2,525 kilometres.

Which river is known as the “Sorrow of Bihar”?

The Kosi River, also known as the “Sorrow of Bihar,” due to floods and changes in its path.

What is the major source of the Narmada River?

The Narmada River starts from Maikal Hills in Madhya Pradesh and flows west to the Arabian Sea.

Which is the only Indian river that flows from east to west?

The Narmada River is the only river in India that flows from east to west.

Social Science Class 9 Notes

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