Definitions [2]
Definition: Drainage Basin
The total area drained by a river and its tributaries is known as a drainage basin.
Definition: Drainage System
A drainage system is an integrated system of tributaries and a trunk stream which collects and drains surface water into the sea, lake or some other body of water.
Key Points
Key Points: Drainage of India
- Indian rivers are divided into Himalayan (perennial) and Peninsular (seasonal) rivers.
- The Indus and Ganga systems drain the north; the Ganga forms a large delta with the Brahmaputra.
- Brahmaputra is called Tsang Po in Tibet, Dihang in India, and joins the Ganga in Bangladesh.
- Peninsular rivers flow east to the Bay of Bengal or west to the Arabian Sea; the Western Ghats form the water divide.
- West-flowing rivers include Narmada, Tapi, Mahi, Sabarmati, and Luni.
- East-flowing rivers include the Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna, and Kaveri.
- Godavari is India’s second largest river system; Krishna and Kaveri are important for irrigation.
