Question
Write the characteristics of the Himalayan rivers.
Solution
The Himalayan rivers are the Indus, the Ganges and the Brahmaputra. The Indus water drains only 17,844 sq. km area in India because it flows outside the border of India since its rise from the Kailash range of Greater Himalayas. Its tributaries are the Zaskar, Shyok, Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Beas and Satluj. Indus is one of the largest river basins in the world, but its course in India is only 709 km.
The Ganges rises from Gangotri glacier and at the beginning, it is called Bhagirathi. Alaknanda meets it at Devprayag in Garhwal region and then it is named as Ganga. The Ganga with its tributaries viz. Yamuna, Ghaghra, Gandak, Kosi, Son, Chambal and Betwa drains 9,51,600 sq. km area and falls into the Bay of Bengal.
Brahmaputra rises from the Kailash range of Greater Himalayas near Mansarover. It flows eastwards parallel to the Himalayas to its south. It enters into India west of Sadiya town in Arunachal Pradesh. Its tributaries are Raja Tsangpo, Lhotse, Subansiri, Tista, Torsa and Dihang. It is long as the Indus and drains 5,80,000 sq. km area in India.
All these three major rivers fall into the Bay of Bengal.
