UPSC Prelims 2014 Q45: Geography – Indian Rivers & Water Resources
Consider the following rivers :
1. Barak
2. Lohit
3. Subansiri
Which of the above flows/flow through Arunachal Pradesh?
- (a) 1 only
- (b) 2 and 3 only
- (c) 1 and 3 only
- (d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (b) 2 and 3 only
Explanation
Rivers flowing through Arunachal Pradesh
| River | Flows through Arunachal Pradesh? | Course |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Barak | No | Rises in the hills of Manipur; flows through Manipur, Mizoram and Assam (Cachar), then into Bangladesh |
| 2. Lohit | Yes | Enters from Tibet into eastern Arunachal Pradesh; joins the Brahmaputra |
| 3. Subansiri | Yes | The largest tributary of the Brahmaputra; flows through central Arunachal Pradesh |
Main rivers of Arunachal Pradesh, west to east:
| River | Note |
|---|---|
| Kameng | Jia Bharali in Assam |
| Subansiri | 'Gold river' |
| Siang (Dihang) | The main stream of the Brahmaputra |
| Dibang | Joins near Sadiya |
| Lohit | Easternmost |
Answer: (b) 2 and 3 only.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. The Barak does not flow through Arunachal Pradesh.
- (b) CORRECT. The Lohit and Subansiri flow through Arunachal Pradesh.
- (c) Incorrect. The Barak flows in Manipur and Assam, and the Lohit is left out.
- (d) Incorrect. The Barak is not a river of Arunachal Pradesh.
Key point
Arunachal Pradesh rivers: Kameng, Subansiri, Siang, Dibang, Lohit. Barak: Manipur, Mizoram, Assam (Barak valley), then Bangladesh.
Remember
Lohit and Subansiri: Arunachal. Barak: Manipur and Assam.
Common mistakes
- Assuming every north-eastern river crosses Arunachal Pradesh.
- Not knowing the Barak valley of southern Assam.
- Forgetting that the Barak becomes the Meghna system in Bangladesh.
Exam tip
Barak = southern Assam (Silchar). Arunachal Pradesh is far to the north.
Sources
- NCERT Class XI — India: Physical Environment, Ch 3 (Drainage System)
- Central Water Commission and National Remote Sensing Centre — India-WRIS: River Basin Atlas (Brahmaputra and Barak basins)