Question

Which are the major water divides of India giving examples.

Answer 1

Any elevated area, such as a mountain or an upland which separates two drainage basins is known as a water divide. The major water divides of India are as follows:-

• Western Ghats:

1. The Western Ghats is a mountain range that runs parallel to the western coast of the Indian peninsula, located entirely in India. It forms a major water divide in the Peninsula.
2. Most of the major rivers of the Peninsula, such as the Godavari, the Krishna and the Kaveri flow eastwards and drain into the Bay of Bengal. There are numerous small streams and rivers like Savitri, Terekhol etc. flowing towards the west of the Western Ghats.

• Aravali Range:

1. The Aravali Hills lie on the western and north-western margins of the Peninsular plateau.
2. River Luni originates along the western slopes of Aravali range and flows in somewhat north-west to south-west direction and meets Gulf of Kutch while Banas, a tributary of River Chambal flows to Northeast direction.
3. In this way, Aravali acts as a water divide of India.

• Vindya range: Vindya ranges divided the Ganga drainage basin and Narmada river valley.
• Satpuda range: Satpuda range divided Narmada river valley and Tapi river valley.
• Himalayas: Himalayas act as a water divide as it separates the rivers flowing in the Himalyalan system from the river flowing in Trans Himalayan ranges.