India's drainage system is a vast network of rivers and water bodies that drain the entire subcontinent. This system is primarily divided into two major categories: the Himalayan rivers originating from the great mountain ranges in the north, and the Peninsular rivers flowing from the central plateau region. Understanding this classification helps us appreciate the diverse water resources of India.
The Himalayan rivers are among India's most important water systems. They originate from the glaciers and snowfields of the mighty Himalayan mountain range. These rivers are perennial, meaning they flow throughout the year, fed by both monsoon rains and glacial melt. The three major Himalayan river systems are the Indus, Ganga, and Brahmaputra. They have long courses, create deep gorges in the mountains, and form large deltas where they meet the sea.
Peninsular rivers originate from the Peninsular Plateau and have distinct characteristics. Unlike Himalayan rivers, they are seasonal and depend mainly on monsoon rains. These rivers are divided into two categories: East-flowing rivers like Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna, and Kaveri drain into the Bay of Bengal and form deltas. West-flowing rivers like Narmada and Tapi drain into the Arabian Sea and form estuaries. Peninsular rivers have shorter courses and smaller drainage basins compared to Himalayan rivers.
India has several major river systems that form the backbone of its water resources. The Indus system, flowing through Jammu and Kashmir and Punjab, is 2,880 kilometers long. The Ganga system, India's most sacred river, stretches 2,525 kilometers with major tributaries like Yamuna and Ghaghara. The Brahmaputra, known as Tsangpo in Tibet, is 2,900 kilometers long and flows through the northeastern states. Among peninsular rivers, the Godavari is the largest at 1,465 kilometers, often called the Ganga of the South.