Previous Year Question
Which of the following rivers fall into the Arabian Sea?
Periyar
Pennar
Palar
Select the correct answer from the code given below:
Only 1
Only 3
2 and 3
1 and 2
Correct Answer: A
Detailed Solution
1. Periyar — Correct. Periyar is one of the most important west-flowing rivers of Kerala and is about 244 km long. It originates in the higher ranges of the Western Ghats. It flows predominantly westwards and its channels eventually connect with the Vembanad–Cochin region before reaching the Arabian Sea.
The drainage pattern of Periyar is related to the physical structure of the Western Ghats. On the western side of the Ghats, the distance between the mountains and the sea is relatively short and the gradient is comparatively steep. Therefore, most rivers here are relatively short and swift west-flowing rivers. Periyar is an important example.
2. Pennar — Incorrect. Pennar is also known as Penneru or North Pennar. It originates in the Nandi Hills region of Karnataka. It flows eastwards from Karnataka through Andhra Pradesh and empties into the Bay of Bengal near Nellore. Therefore, it cannot be classified as a river draining into the Arabian Sea.
3. Palar — Incorrect. Palar is also an east-flowing Peninsular river. It originates in Karnataka and flows through Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu towards the east. It finally enters the Bay of Bengal on the eastern coast of Tamil Nadu.
The core geographical concept behind the question is the east-flowing and west-flowing division of Peninsular drainage. Most major Peninsular rivers—such as the Godavari, Krishna, Cauvery, Mahanadi, Pennar and Palar—flow eastwards into the Bay of Bengal. In contrast, Periyar flows westwards and forms part of the Arabian Sea drainage system.
Thus—
Periyar → Arabian Sea
Pennar → Bay of Bengal
Palar → Bay of Bengal