3 reason for which the peninsular river are seasonal in nature?
The major rivers of the peninsular region are Mahanadi, Krishna, Godavari, Tapi, Narmada are Kaveri, Luni etc. All these rivers are seasonal in nature. The reason behind that are as follows.
1) The peninsular rivers are rain fed and depend only on rain water. These rivers do not get continuous water supply from glaciers. Hence most of the rivers dry up in hot summer season.
2) These rivers have small basins and catchment areas. The Godavari has the largest catchment area of 3.12 lakh square kilometer only, which is less than one-third of of the Indus river. So, the peninsular rivers have much less catchment area.
3) The peninsular rivers lie in medium to low rainfall regions when compared to Himalayan rivers, so they receive less rain water in the monsoon season.
4) The peninsular rivers have short and shallow courses when compared to Himalayan rivers, so they are seasonal in nature.
3 reason for which the peninsular river are seasonal in nature?
**Reasons for Seasonal Nature of Peninsular Rivers in India**
Peninsular rivers in India are characterized by their seasonal nature, with significant fluctuations in water flow throughout the year. This phenomenon is influenced by several factors, including climate, topography, and geological features. Below are three reasons explaining why peninsular rivers are seasonal in nature:
**1. Monsoonal Climate:**
The primary reason behind the seasonal nature of peninsular rivers is the monsoonal climate prevalent in the region. The Indian subcontinent experiences distinct wet and dry seasons due to the influence of the southwest and northeast monsoons. During the monsoon season, which spans from June to September, the southwest monsoon brings heavy rainfall to the western coast, while the northeast monsoon affects the eastern coast from October to December. These monsoonal winds result in intense precipitation, leading to increased water flow in the peninsular rivers.
**2. Topographical Features:**
The topography of the peninsular region also contributes to the seasonal nature of its rivers. The Western Ghats and the Eastern Ghats act as barriers to the monsoon winds, causing orographic rainfall on the windward side. This results in the Western Ghats receiving more rainfall compared to the Deccan Plateau and the eastern coast. Consequently, rivers originating from the Western Ghats, such as the Krishna, Godavari, and Kaveri, exhibit a seasonal flow pattern due to the heavy monsoonal rainfall, while rivers flowing through the Deccan Plateau experience relatively lower water flow during the dry season.
**3. Geological Factors:**
Geological features play a significant role in the seasonal nature of peninsular rivers. The peninsular region consists of hard, impermeable rocks like granite and basalt, along with soft sedimentary rocks. The impermeable nature of these rocks restricts the infiltration of rainwater, leading to rapid runoff during heavy rainfall periods. As a result, rivers in the peninsular region experience flash floods during the monsoon season. However, during the dry season, when the rainfall is scarce, the limited groundwater recharge and the absence of significant surface runoff result in reduced river flow.
In conclusion, the seasonal nature of peninsular rivers in India can be attributed to the monsoonal climate, topographical features, and geological factors. The combination of heavy monsoonal rainfall, contrasting topography, and the impermeable nature of rocks in the region leads to significant fluctuations in water flow throughout the year.
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