UPSC Prelims 2010 Q94: Geography – Indian Rivers & Water Resources
With reference to the river Luni,
which one of the following statements is correct?
- (a) It flows into Gulf of Khambhat
- (b) It flows into Gulf of Kuchchh
- (c) It flows into Pakistan and merges with a tributary of Indus
- (d) It is lost in the marshy land of the Rann of Kuchchh
Answer: (d) It is lost in the marshy land of the Rann of Kuchchh
Explanation
The river Luni: finding the correct statement
Luni, Rajasthan's major river, has a distinctive fate unlike most Indian rivers that reach the sea.
| Option | Verdict | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| (a) Flows into the Gulf of Khambhat | Incorrect | This is not Luni's actual destination |
| (b) Flows into the Gulf of Kuchchh | Incorrect | Luni does not reach this gulf either |
| (c) Flows into Pakistan, merges with an Indus tributary | Incorrect | Luni does not cross into Pakistan or join the Indus system |
| (d) Lost in the marshy land of the Rann of Kuchchh | Correct | The Luni river, flowing through the arid Thar Desert region, never reaches the sea; it dissipates and is lost in the marshy, saline Rann of Kuchchh |
River Luni facts:
| Point | Detail |
|---|---|
| Origin | Aravalli hills, near Pushkar, Rajasthan |
| Fate | Disappears/is lost in the Rann of Kuchchh marshes |
| Significance | A classic example of an inland-draining (endorheic) river in India |
Answer: (d) It is lost in the marshy land of the Rann of Kuchchh.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. The Gulf of Khambhat is not Luni's actual destination.
- (b) Incorrect. The Gulf of Kuchchh is also not where Luni ends up.
- (c) Incorrect. Luni does not cross into Pakistan or merge with the Indus system.
- (d) CORRECT. Luni dissipates and disappears in the marshy, saline Rann of Kuchchh, never reaching the sea.
Key point
The river Luni, originating in the Aravallis, never reaches the sea — it dissipates and is LOST in the marshy Rann of Kuchchh, a classic example of an inland-draining river.
Remember
River Luni: originates in the Aravallis, is lost in the marshy Rann of Kuchchh — never reaches the sea.
Common mistakes
- Assuming every major Indian river must eventually reach a gulf or the sea, missing Luni's unique inland-draining fate.
- Confusing Luni's destination with nearby gulfs like Khambhat or Kuchchh (the gulf, not the marshy Rann).
- Not distinguishing the Rann of Kuchchh (a marshy salt flat) from the Gulf of Kuchchh (an actual sea inlet).
Exam tip
Luni is a classic 'inland-draining' river — it disappears into the Rann of Kuchchh's marshes, never reaching the open sea.
Sources
- NCERT Class XI Geography — India: Physical Environment — Drainage System
- Central Water Commission and National Remote Sensing Centre — India-WRIS: River Basin Atlas (Luni basin)