Question

Why do the rivers on the western coast have no deltas, even though they transport a lot of sediment with them?

Answer 1

Rivers on the western coast of India (like the Narmada, Tapi, Mahi, and Sabarmati) do not form deltas, even though they carry sediments. This is because:

• The Western Ghats are very close to the Arabian Sea, leaving a narrow coastal plain.
• Rivers have a shorter distance to travel and flow at high speed, so they have no time to deposit sediments.
• Strong tidal currents in the Arabian Sea wash away the sediments.

Thus, these rivers mainly form estuaries, not deltas.