Previous Year Question

The Indravati and Pranahita are tributaries of the Godavari. The Vamsadhara and Pennar are independent east-flowing rivers that enter the Bay of Bengal directly.

Godavari river system

• The Godavari originates in the Brahmagiri Hills near Trimbakeshwar in Nashik district of Maharashtra.

• At approximately 1,465 kilometres, it is the longest river of Peninsular India.

• Because of its extensive basin, it is known as the Dakshin Ganga.

• It flows through Maharashtra, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, while its basin extends into parts of Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Odisha and Karnataka.

• It forms an extensive delta in Andhra Pradesh before entering the Bay of Bengal.

• Its important tributaries include the Purna, Manjira, Penganga, Wardha, Wainganga, Pranahita, Indravati and Sabari.

1. Vamsadhara: Not a tributary of the Godavari

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

• It flows south-eastward through Odisha and Andhra Pradesh.

• After entering the Srikakulam district of Andhra Pradesh, it drains into the Bay of Bengal near Kalingapatnam.

• It is an independent east-flowing river rather than a tributary of a larger river.

• The Mahendratanaya is an important tributary of the Vamsadhara.

• Its basin is important for irrigation and rice cultivation.

Therefore, the Vamsadhara is not a tributary of the Godavari.

2. Indravati: Tributary of the Godavari

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

• It flows westward and enters the Bastar region of Chhattisgarh.

• The famous Chitrakote Falls is situated on the Indravati in Bastar.

• Because of its broad horseshoe-shaped form, Chitrakote Falls is sometimes described as the ‘Niagara of India’.

• The Indravati subsequently flows through the Chhattisgarh-Maharashtra border region and joins the Godavari.

• It is one of the major left-bank tributaries of the Godavari.

• The Indravati system is important for agriculture, forest ecology and tribal livelihoods in Bastar.

• The Indravati National Park and Tiger Reserve are also associated with this river region.

Therefore, the Indravati is a tributary of the Godavari.

3. Pranahita: Tributary of the Godavari

• The Pranahita is formed by the confluence of the Wardha and Wainganga rivers.

• The Penganga also contributes its water to the Pranahita through the Wardha system.

• The Pranahita forms a long boundary between Maharashtra and Telangana.

• It joins the Godavari near Kaleshwaram in Telangana.

• In terms of catchment area and discharge, it is among the most important tributaries of the Godavari.

• Its extensive catchment covers parts of Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Telangana.

• Through the Pranahita, the waters of the Wardha-Wainganga system reach the Godavari.

Therefore, the Pranahita is a tributary of the Godavari.

4. Pennar: Not a tributary of the Godavari

• The Pennar is also known as the Penna or North Pinakini.

• It originates near the Nandi Hills in Karnataka.

• It flows eastward through Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.

• Its important tributaries include the Jayamangali, Chitravathi, Papagni, Kunderu and Cheyyeru.

• It drains into the Bay of Bengal near Nellore in Andhra Pradesh.

• Its independent basin lies south of the Krishna basin and north of the Cauvery basin.

• The Pennar also carved the Gandikota Canyon.

Therefore, the Pennar is not a tributary of the Godavari.