Previous Year Question

Of the rivers given, the Nagavali and Vamsadhara originate in the Eastern Ghats. The Brahmani and Subarnarekha are associated with the Chota Nagpur Plateau in terms of their origin.

1. Brahmani: Does not originate in the Eastern Ghats

• The Brahmani is formed by the confluence of the Sankh and South Koel rivers at Vedavyas near Rourkela in Odisha.

• The source areas of the Sankh and South Koel river systems are associated with the Chota Nagpur Plateau.

• Therefore, the Brahmani is not considered to originate in the Eastern Ghats.

• It flows generally south-eastward through Odisha.

• In its lower course, the Brahmani and Baitarani rivers form an extensive deltaic region.

• The Brahmani river system ultimately drains into the Bay of Bengal near the Dhamra region.

• The Rengali Dam is an important multipurpose project on the Brahmani River.

2. Nagavali: Originates in the Eastern Ghats

• The Nagavali originates in the Eastern Ghats hills of the Kalahandi region in Odisha.

• It is also known as the Langulya River in some areas.

• It flows through Odisha and Andhra Pradesh.

• The river flows generally south-eastward and enters the Srikakulam region of Andhra Pradesh.

• It ultimately drains into the Bay of Bengal.

• Its important tributaries include the Jhanjavati, Vegavati and Suvarnamukhi.

• The Nagavali is an inter-State east-flowing river with its basin extending across Odisha and Andhra Pradesh.

3. Subarnarekha: Does not originate in the Eastern Ghats

• The Subarnarekha originates from the Chota Nagpur Plateau near Ranchi in Jharkhand.

• Therefore, it does not originate in the Eastern Ghats.

• It flows through Jharkhand, West Bengal and Odisha.

• It ultimately drains into the Bay of Bengal.

• Hundru Falls is situated on the Subarnarekha near Ranchi.

• Jamshedpur is situated near the confluence zone of the Subarnarekha and Kharkai rivers.

• The Kharkai is one of its important tributaries.

• The Subarnarekha basin is important for its mineral resources and industrial activities.

4. Vamsadhara: Originates in the Eastern Ghats

• The Vamsadhara originates in the Eastern Ghats hills of the Kalahandi region in Odisha.

• It is an inter-State river flowing through Odisha and Andhra Pradesh.

• The river flows generally south-eastward and enters the Srikakulam district of Andhra Pradesh.

• It drains into the Bay of Bengal near Kalingapatnam.

• The Mahendratanaya is among its important tributaries.

• The Vamsadhara basin is important for irrigation and agriculture in Odisha and northern Andhra Pradesh.