UPSC Prelims 2009 Q51: Geography – Indian Rivers & Water Resources
Consider the following statements:
1. There are no east flowing rivers in Kerala.
2. There are no west flowing rivers in Madhya Pradesh.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- (a) 1 only
- (b) 2 only
- (c) Both 1 and 2
- (d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (d) Neither 1 nor 2
Explanation
Checking two claims about east- and west-flowing rivers
These statements test knowledge of regional river-flow patterns in Kerala and Madhya Pradesh.
| Statement | Verdict | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| 1. There are no east-flowing rivers in Kerala | Incorrect | While Kerala's rivers are predominantly west-flowing (into the Arabian Sea), a few smaller rivers (like parts of the Pamba/Bharathapuzha systems feeding eastward tributaries) do have east-flowing stretches, making a blanket 'no east-flowing rivers' claim inaccurate |
| 2. There are no west-flowing rivers in Madhya Pradesh | Incorrect | Madhya Pradesh is the source of the Narmada and Tapi, both prominent west-flowing rivers, directly contradicting this claim |
River-flow facts:
| Point | Detail |
|---|---|
| Kerala | Predominantly west-flowing, but not exclusively |
| Madhya Pradesh | Source of west-flowing Narmada and Tapi |
Answer: (d) Neither 1 nor 2.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. Kerala is not entirely without east-flowing river stretches, making statement 1 inaccurate as an absolute claim.
- (b) Incorrect. Madhya Pradesh does have major west-flowing rivers (Narmada, Tapi), making statement 2 false.
- (c) Incorrect. Both statements contain inaccuracies, so 'both' cannot be correct.
- (d) CORRECT. Neither the 'no east-flowing in Kerala' nor the 'no west-flowing in Madhya Pradesh' claim holds up as an absolute statement.
Key point
Madhya Pradesh is the source of the WEST-FLOWING Narmada and Tapi rivers, directly contradicting statement 2 — and Kerala's rivers, while predominantly west-flowing, are not entirely without east-flowing stretches either.
Remember
Madhya Pradesh: source of west-flowing Narmada and Tapi. Kerala: predominantly west-flowing, but not absolutely free of east-flowing stretches.
Common mistakes
- Forgetting that Madhya Pradesh is the origin point of major west-flowing rivers like the Narmada and Tapi.
- Treating 'predominantly west-flowing' (Kerala) as equivalent to an absolute 'no east-flowing rivers at all' claim.
- Not questioning absolute words like 'no' in geography statements.
Exam tip
Madhya Pradesh is the SOURCE of the west-flowing Narmada and Tapi — never claim it has 'no west-flowing rivers'.
Sources
- NCERT Class XI Geography — India: Physical Environment — Drainage System
- Central Water Commission and National Remote Sensing Centre — India-WRIS: River Basin Atlas (Narmada and Tapi basins)