What are the important characteristic features of the North Indian rivers ? How are these different from Peninsular rivers ?

Characteristics of North Indian rivers :

(i)The North Indian rivers have evolved through a long geological history.

(ii)It includes Ganga, Brahmaputra and Indus river basins.

(iii)These are fed by melting of snow and precipitation.

(iv)These are perennial rivers.

(v)These rivers form deep gorges and V-shaped valleys in mountainous areas and when they enter plains they form flat valleys, flood plains etc.

The northern rivers differ from the peninsular rivers in the following ways :

(i)The catchment areas of northern rivers are large while the catchment areas of peninsular rivers are small.

(ii)The northern rivers flow in deep gorges in the mountains and they form meanders in plains; while peninsular rivers do not have formations.

(iii)Northern rivers are perennial as they derive their water from snow melt and rainfall while peninsular rivers depend on only monsoons.