The Peninsular Rivers

• Formation of Water Divide: The main water divide in Peninsular India is formed by the Western Ghats, running from north to south close to the western coast.
• Direction of Flow: Most major rivers of the Peninsula, such as the Mahanadi, the Godavari, the Krishna, and the Kaveri, flow eastwards and drain into the Bay of Bengal. These rivers form deltas at their mouths.
• Minor Streams: Numerous small streams flow west of the Western Ghats.
• Exceptional Rivers: The Narmada and the Tapi are the only long rivers that flow west and make estuaries.
• Drainage Basin Size: The drainage basins of the peninsular rivers are relatively small.

The Narmada Basin

• Source: The Narmada rises in the Amarkantak hills in Madhya Pradesh.
• Flow Direction: It flows towards the west in a rift valley formed due to faulting.
• Landscapes: Along its path to the sea, the Narmada creates picturesque locations such as the ‘Marble Rocks’ near Jabalpur and the ‘Dhuadhar falls’ where the river plunges over steep rocks.
• Tributaries: All tributaries of the Narmada are very short, joining the main stream at right angles.
• Geographical Coverage: The Narmada basin covers parts of Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat.

The Tapi Basin

• Source: The Tapi rises in the Satpura ranges, in the Betul district of Madhya Pradesh.
• Flow Direction: It flows in a rift valley parallel to the Narmada but is much shorter in length.
• Geographical Coverage: Its basin covers parts of Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, and Maharashtra.
• Coastal Plains: The coastal plains between Western Ghats and the Arabian Sea are narrow, resulting in short coastal rivers. Major west-flowing rivers include the Sabarmati, Mahi, Bharathpuzha, and Periyar.

The Godavari Basin

• Source: The Godavari rises from the slopes of the Western Ghats in the Nasik district of Maharashtra.
• Size: It is the largest Peninsular river with a length of about 1500 km.
• Drainage Basin: The basin covers parts of Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, and Andhra Pradesh. About 50 percent of the basin area lies in Maharashtra.
• Tributaries: The Godavari is joined by numerous tributaries, including the Purna, the Wardha, the Pranhita, the Manjra, the Wainganga, and the Penganga. The last three tributaries are very large.

The Mahanadi Basin

• Source: The Mahanadi rises in the highlands of Chhattisgarh.
• Flow Path: It flows through Odisha to reach the Bay of Bengal.
• Length: The length of the river is about 860 km.
• Drainage Basin: Its drainage basin is shared by Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, and Odisha.

The Krishna Basin

• Source: The Krishna rises from a spring near Mahabaleshwar.
• Length: It flows for about 1400 km before reaching the Bay of Bengal.
• Tributaries: Tributaries of the Krishna include the Tungabhadra, the Koyana, the Ghatprabha, the Musi, and the Bhima.
• Geographical Coverage: Its drainage basin is shared by Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh.

The Kaveri Basin

• Source: The Kaveri rises in the Brahmagri range of the Western Ghats.
• Length: Total length of the river is about 760 km.
• Tributaries: Major tributaries are the Amravati, Bhavani, Hemavati, and Kabini.
• Drainage Area: Its basin drains parts of Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu.

Other Rivers:

Smaller rivers flowing towards the east include the Damoder, the Brahmani, the Baitarni, and the Subarnrekha.

NCERT Notes Class 9 Geography: Geography Class 9 Notes is an important subject in the Social Science curriculum that requires students to have a thorough understanding of the Drainage Systems in India.

Understanding these concepts well is crucial for students. These notes give a clear summary of the main topics, helping students understand the subject better.

Our Geography Notes for Class 9 help improve problem-solving skills and prepare for exams. With these notes, students can build a strong foundation in Geography and improve their problem-solving skills.