Difference between Himalayan Rivers and Peninsular Rivers

Indian rivers are divided into two main groups  i.e. Himalayan and Peninsular rivers. Himalayan rivers are perennial as they are fed by snow and rainfall, while Peninsular rivers are mostly seasonal and depend mainly on monsoon rainfall. These Differences Between Himalayan Rivers and Peninsular Rivers are discussed in detail in the given article.

Difference between Himalayan Rivers and Peninsular Rivers

The Difference Between Himalayan Rivers and Peninsular Rivers is discussed below on the basis of their origin, nature of flow, drainage pattern, and other geographical features.

Himalayan Rivers

• Himalayan Rivers are the rivers that originate from the Himalayan mountain ranges. They get water from both melting glaciers (snow) and monsoon rainfall, which makes them perennial rivers (flow throughout the year).
• The three major Himalayan river systems are:
  • Indus River System
  • Ganga River System
  • Brahmaputra River System
• These rivers have long courses from the mountains to the sea. In their upper course (mountain region), they flow with great speed and cut deep valleys and gorges due to strong erosion. Because they flow from high altitude, they also have high potential for hydroelectric power generation.
• In the plains, the speed of the river decreases. As a result, they deposit large amounts of sand and silt. This leads to the formation of meanders (bends in rivers) and oxbow lakes. At their mouths, they form very large and fertile deltas. The Ganga-Brahmaputra delta (Sundarban delta) is the largest delta in the world.
• Important Features of Himalayan Rivers
  • The Himalayan drainage system has developed over millions of years.
  • It mainly includes the Indus, Ganga and Brahmaputra river basins.
  • These rivers are perennial because they are fed by both snowmelt and rainfall.
  • They flow through deep gorges in the mountain region.
  • Floods are common because of heavy rainfall and rapid melting of snow.
  • They create large and fertile plains which support agriculture.
  • They are very useful for irrigation, navigation and hydroelectric power.

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Peninsular Rivers

• Peninsular Rivers are the rivers that originate from the Peninsular Plateau, one of the oldest landmasses in the world. The Peninsular drainage system is older than the Himalayan drainage system, which shows that these rivers are in their mature stage.
• Most Peninsular rivers are rain-fed and depend mainly on monsoon rainfall. Therefore, they are mostly seasonal rivers. Their water level increases during the rainy season and decreases or even dries up during summer due to lack of rainfall.
• Direction of Flow
  • The Western Ghats act as a major water divide:
  • Most rivers flow eastward into the Bay of Bengal.
  • Examples: Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna, Kaveri – these rivers form deltas at their mouths.
  • Some rivers flow westward into the Arabian Sea.
  • Examples: Narmada and Tapi – these rivers form estuaries instead of large deltas.
• Main Characteristics of Peninsular Rivers
  • They originate from plateaus and small hills, not from glaciers.
  • They are seasonal because they depend only on rainfall.
  • They have shorter and shallower courses compared to Himalayan rivers.
  • They flow over hard rock surfaces and gentle slopes.
  • They generally follow straight courses and form fewer meanders.
  • Erosion activity is less compared to Himalayan rivers.
  • They still have good potential for hydroelectric power, especially where dams are built.