Relief and Structure of Telangana | Telangana State PSC (TSPSC): Preparation Course - TSPSC (Telangana) PDF Download

Introduction

• Telangana, alternatively spelled Telengana or Telingana, is a constituent state located in south-central India. It shares borders with the states of Maharashtra to the north, Chhattisgarh and Odisha to the northeast, Andhra Pradesh to the southeast and south, and Karnataka to the west. 
• Previously, the area now comprising Telangana formed the north-central and northeastern regions of Andhra Pradesh for nearly six decades. However, on June 2, 2014, this territory was separated to establish Telangana as a distinct state. The capital city of both Telangana and Andhra Pradesh is Hyderabad, situated in the west-central part of Telangana.

Telangana Plateau

• The Telangana Plateau, also spelled Telengana, is situated in western Andhra Pradesh state in southeastern India. It constitutes the northeastern portion of the Deccan plateau. Covering an area of approximately 57,370 square miles (148,000 square km), the plateau extends for about 480 miles (770 km) in a north-south direction and about 320 miles (515 km) in an east-west direction.
• Referenced in one of the edicts of the Mauryan emperor Ashoka, this region was historically governed by the Satavahanas dynasty.
• The plateau is primarily drained by the Godavari River, which flows in a southeasterly direction, as well as by the Krishna River, which divides the plateau into two distinct regions. Additionally, the Penneru River flows northward across the plateau. The vegetation on the plateau includes moist deciduous forests, dry deciduous forests, and tropical thorn forests.

Features of Telangana

• Telangana is located on the Deccan Plateau in the Indian Peninsula.
• The region is primarily drained by two major rivers, Godavari and River Krishna, with most of the land being arid.
• Several minor rivers like Bhima, Maner, Manjira, and Musi also flow through Telangana.
• The annual rainfall varies between 900-1500 mm in the north and 700-900 mm in the south due to the southwest monsoons.
• Various soil types are present, including chalkas, red sandy soils, dubbas, deep red loamy soils, and very deep black cotton soils, suitable for cultivating mangoes, oranges, and flowers.

Geography of Telangana

• Telangana covers an area of 1,14,800 square kilometers and is drained by major rivers like Krishna and Godavari.
• Other smaller rivers such as Bhima, Dindi, Manjeera, Manair, Kinnerasani, and Moosi also traverse the state.
• Approximately 45% of Andhra Pradesh's forest area is situated in Telangana.
• The state boasts significant coal reserves, with around 20% of India's coal deposits located there.
• Telangana's geographical coordinates lie between 15°46′ and 19°47′ N latitude and 77°16′ and 81°43′ E longitude.
• It shares borders with Maharashtra, Karnataka, Chhattisgarh, and Andhra Pradesh.
• The average annual rainfall is about 906 mm, mainly from the Southwest monsoon, in this hot and dry climate.

Relief and Structure of Telangana

• The relief features of a region in Geography refer to high altitude areas, mountains, peaks, valleys, and low-lying areas. These features divide the land into different zones like living areas, forests, islands, wastelands, and river plains.
• Telangana is located on the Deccan plateau, positioned on the central stretch of the Eastern seaboard of the Indian Peninsula.
• Major Rivers: Godavari and Krishna flow through the state, shaping its geographical landscape.
• Geographical Division: Telangana is divided into two main regions with distinct features such as ghats, peneplains, low depressions, and thick forest regions.
• Local Reliefs: The state exhibits numerous small local reliefs with heights around 300 meters, featuring small summit areas and steep slopes.
• Altitudes: The hilltops in Telangana range from 500 meters to 800 meters above sea level.
• Land Area: Covering 1.14 lakh sq km, Telangana is positioned centrally on the eastern seaboard of the Indian peninsula.
• Drainage: Despite being drained by major rivers like Krishna and Godavari, a significant portion of the land is dry and arid.
• Minor Rivers: Apart from major rivers, minor rivers such as Bhima, Manjira, and Musi traverse the state, which comprises 10 districts.
• Rainfall: The annual rainfall varies across Telangana, ranging from 900 to 1,500 mm in the north and 700 to 900 mm in the south. The region predominantly receives precipitation from the southwest monsoon.

Various Soil Types in Telangana

• Chalkas, red sandy soils, dubbas, deep red loamy soils, and very deep b.c.soils support planting of mangoes, oranges, and flowers.

Forest Cover in Telangana

• 45% of the forest cover of undivided Andhra Pradesh now exists in the five districts of Telangana.

Geography of Telangana

• Telangana consists of the Telangana plateau in the north and the Golconda plateau in the south, primarily made up of gneissic rock.
• The average elevation of the plateau is approximately 1,600 feet, with peaks in the west and southwest sloping towards the east and northeast.
• The plateau meets the disjointed ridges of the Eastern Ghats ranges in the east and northeast.

Climate in Telangana

• The summer season in Telangana typically spans from March to June, characterized by extremely warm to hot and dry weather conditions. Temperatures often soar above 42-43 degrees Celsius during this period.
• Following the summer season, the region experiences a period of tropical rains from July to September, brought by the southwest monsoon winds. These rains are vital for agriculture and replenishing water sources across the state.
• Winter sets in from October to February, bringing relief from the scorching heat of summer. During this time, average minimum temperatures in Hyderabad drop to around 15 degrees Celsius, while in elevated areas, they can range between 10 and 12 degrees Celsius.
• The annual precipitation in Telangana, primarily from the southwest monsoon, varies across the state. On average, it amounts to about 35 inches (900 mm) per year. However, precipitation levels can vary considerably from the average, with some drier areas receiving as little as 20 inches (500 mm) annually.