The Peninsular Drainage System

Older than the Himalayan one. Evident from the broad, largely-graded shallow valleys, and The Western Ghats running close to the western coast act as the water divide between the major Peninsular rivers, discharging their water in the Bay of Bengal and as small rivulets joining the Arabian Sea.

Most of the major Peninsular rivers except Narmada and Tapi flow from west to east.

The Chambal, the Sind, the Betwa, the Ken, the Son, originating in the northern part of the Peninsula belong to the Ganga river system.

The other major river systems of the Peninsular drainage are — the Mahanadi the Godavari, the Krishna and the Kaveri.

Peninsular rivers are characterised by fixed course, absence of meanders and non- perennial flow of water.

The Narmada and the Tapi which flow through the rift valley are, however, exceptions.