Why have the rivers of peninsular India well defined rigid channels in sharp contrast to the Himalayan rivers?

Why have the rivers of peninsular India well defined rigid channels in sharp contrast to the Himalayan rivers?

Surface in this region are made of the rocks like Gneiss, metamorphic features. Thus, the Peninsular rivers like Godavari River, Krishna, Vaigai etc. have their well defined rigid channels in sharp contrast to Himalayan Rivers.

Why are Himalayan rivers more useful for irrigation?

The Himalayan rivers are perennial in nature, i.e., water flows throughout the year in these rivers. These rivers receive water both from the monsoons and snow-melt. The perennial nature of these rivers makes them useful for irrigation.

Why peninsular rivers do not form meanders?

Explanation: Peninsular rivers have lower erosional capacity, but because of hard rock surface in the region and non-alluvial character of plateau, they travel almost straight and thus do not form meanders.

What are the important characteristics of Himalayan rivers How are these different from peninsular rivers?

The Peninsular Rivers:

Himalayan Rivers	Peninsular Rivers
They are perennial in nature, flow throughout the year.	They are seasonal and non-perennial so may not flow throughout the year.
They are fed by the meltwater from glaciers and rains.	They are fed only by rains.
They form V-shaped valleys.	They form U-shaped valleys.

Why are the peninsular rivers not perennial?

The peninsular rivers originate from the peninsular plateaus and small hills of India. These are non-perennial because they receive water only from rainfall and hence do not have water in them throughout the year.

Why are the peninsular rivers non perennial?

Why are the peninsular rivers non-perennial?

How does the peninsular rivers characterized?

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.

What is the difference between peninsular river and Himalayan river?

Himalayan rivers get water from snow and rain, whereas Peninsular rivers are fed by rain only. The drainage basin of Himalayan rivers is comparatively larger than the Peninsular rivers. Himalayan rivers form a V-shaped valley, while Peninsular watercourses form valley having a U-shape.

Why are peninsular rivers non perennial?

What is the difference between Peninsular and extra-peninsular rivers?

Before we move further, let’s list the key differences between them: An interesting phenomenon observed in the case of most of the peninsular and extra-peninsular rivers is that they have shifting courses, especially in their lower reaches. In the upper reaches, the Himalayan rivers have the tendencies of river capturing.

How did the Indus River change its course?

The records of 3rd century BC show that the Indus flowed more than 130 km east of its present course, through the now practically dry beds of the deserted channel, to the Rann of Kachchh which was then a gulf of the Arabian Sea. Later on it gradually shifted west and occupied its present position.

Why do rivers have a shifting course?

An interesting phenomenon observed in the case of most of the peninsular and extra-peninsular rivers is that they have shifting courses, especially in their lower reaches. In the upper reaches, the Himalayan rivers have the tendencies of river capturing. Wondering why a river shifts its course?

What is an example of River capturing?

The ancient Saraswati river, which provided an abode for the early Aryan settlers presents a typical example of shifting courses and river capturing. Descending from the Himalayan ranges, its initial course during the prehistoric period was passing near Churu (about 2000 to 3000 BC) and the Luni river was one of its tributaries.