The Narmada river flows to the west, while most other large peninsular rivers flow to the east. Why?
- It occupies a linear rift valley.
- It flows between the Vindhyas and the Satpuras.
- The land slopes to the west from Central India.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below.
Detailed Explanation:
✅ Statement 1 – Correct: The Narmada River flows through a linear rift valley formed by faulting and tectonic subsidence between the Vindhya Range (north) and Satpura Range (south). This east-west oriented rift structure directs the river's flow westward into the Arabian Sea, making it an exception among peninsular rivers.
❌ Statement 2 – Incorrect: While the Narmada does flow between the Vindhyas and Satpuras, merely being confined between two ranges does not explain the westward direction. Confinement alone could allow flow in either direction; it is the rift valley orientation that determines the westward flow.
❌ Statement 3 – Incorrect: The Peninsular Plateau has a general slope from west to east, which is why most peninsular rivers (Godavari, Krishna, Mahanadi) flow eastward to the Bay of Bengal. The Narmada's westward flow contradicts this regional slope and is explained by its structural control through the rift valley, not by land slope.
Question 18 of 18 Drainage System and Rivers
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