Question 100 from UPSC CSE 2015 - Geography

Question

Consider the following rivers:
1. Vamsadhara
2. Indravati
3. Pranahita
4. Pennar
Which of the above are tributaries of Godavari?

IASCODEX · Accepted Answer

Correct Option: D. 2 and 3 only

Strategy: Focus on dissecting each river's course and known tributary relationships. Indravati and Pranahita are well-established major tributaries of the Godavari. Vamsadhara and Pennar are not; Vamsadhara flows from Odisha to Andhra Pradesh and drains into the Bay of Bengal, while Pennar also drains independently into the Bay of Bengal. Eliminating non-Godavari tributaries yields option D.

Key Info: Godavari is the second-longest river in India, traversing the states of Maharashtra, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Odisha, before draining into the Bay of Bengal.

**Major Tributaries**
- **Indravati**: Originates in Odisha and is a key left-bank tributary, joining Godavari in Maharashtra. The Indravati flows through dense forests of central India.
- **Pranahita**: Formed by the confluence of the Wardha and Wainganga rivers, Pranahita is a major left-bank tributary that merges with Godavari in Telangana. It has a large catchment area and is critical for the river's overall water volume.

**Non-Tributaries**
- **Vamsadhara**: Originates in Odisha and flows into Andhra Pradesh; it directly empties into the Bay of Bengal and is not a tributary to the Godavari.
- **Pennar**: Flows through Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, originating in the Nandi Hills, and drains into the Bay of Bengal near Nellore; it is not connected to the Godavari basin.

The Godavari's other significant tributaries include Penganga, Manjira, Sabari, and Purna. Tributaries can join from either side and significantly influence the hydrology and ecology of the main river system. Understanding river systems, their basin geography, and their hydrological connections is essential for Indian geography topics.

IASCODEX · Answer

Option A: 1, 2, and 3

IASCODEX · Answer

Option B: 2, 3, and 4

IASCODEX · Answer

Option C: 1, 2, and 4

Consider the following rivers: Vamsadhara Indravati Pranahita Pennar Which of the above are tributaries of Godavari?

Consider the following rivers:

Vamsadhara

Indravati

Pranahita

Pennar
Which of the above are tributaries of Godavari?