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Question 48 of 131 · Rivers, Lakes & Dams of India
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The Pambar, Bhavani and Kabini are the east-flowing rivers of which state?

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Answer: Option D — Kerala

Detailed Solution

Kerala has 44 rivers. Of these, 41 flow westward into the Arabian Sea, and only three, the Kabini, the Bhavani and the Pambar, flow eastward into neighbouring states and finally join the Kaveri system.

The three east-flowing rivers of Kerala:

Kabini (Kabani): rises in the Wayanad district of Kerala, flows into Karnataka and joins the Kaveri near T. Narasipura. The Kabini reservoir and the forests around it are part of the Nagarhole and Bandipur tiger landscapes.

Bhavani: rises in the Nilgiri hills, flows briefly through the Attappadi valley of Kerala's Palakkad district, and then enters Tamil Nadu, where it joins the Kaveri at Bhavani town. The Bhavanisagar Dam is built on it.

Pambar: rises in the Anamudi area of the Idukki district, flows through the Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary, and enters Tamil Nadu, where it becomes part of the Amaravati river, a tributary of the Kaveri.

Why most of Kerala's rivers flow west:

  • Kerala lies between the Western Ghats and the Arabian Sea.
  • The Western Ghats rise steeply on the eastern side of the state, so most rivers rising in them flow west over a short distance to the sea.
  • These rivers are short, swift and fed by the heavy south-west monsoon.
  • Only a few rivers in the eastern part of the state cross the Ghats towards the east.

Water sharing:

Because these rivers flow into Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, Kerala is one of the parties in the sharing of the Kaveri waters.

Kerala's river system:

  • Its longest rivers flow west, such as the Bharathapuzha and the Pamba, in addition to the longest one, covered earlier.
  • Many rivers flow into backwaters and lagoons along the coast.

Why not the other options?

  • ✗Karnataka and Tamil Nadu receive these rivers, but the rivers rise in, or flow through, Kerala.
  • ✗Goa's rivers, such as the Mandovi and Zuari, flow west into the Arabian Sea.

Quick tip

Remember: Kerala's 3 east-flowing rivers = Kabini, Bhavani and Pambar (all join the Kaveri system); the other 41 flow west.

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Rivers, Lakes & Dams of India — Preparation

This question tests your understanding of Rivers, Lakes & Dams of India, a key topic in the General Knowledge section. The detailed solution above uses a step-by-step approach to show the reasoning, and where available, a shortcut that helps you solve similar questions in under 90 seconds during the actual exam.

This topic covers India's drainage system: the Himalayan rivers (the Indus, Ganga and Brahmaputra systems), the peninsular rivers (Godavari, Krishna, Kaveri, Narmada, Tapi and Mahanadi), their tributaries and origins, waterfalls, lakes, and the major dams and multipurpose river projects. Exams ask about the origin of a river, its tributaries, the cities on its banks, and the river on which a dam is built. For example, the Bhakra Nangal Dam is on the Sutlej, the Hirakud Dam on the Mahanadi, and the Sardar Sarovar Dam on the Narmada. Remember that the Narmada and Tapi flow west into the Arabian Sea, while most peninsular rivers flow east. Practise the rivers, lakes and dams of India questions below, written in the style of the general awareness sections of exams such as SSC, banking, railways, CUET GAT, MAH CET and CLAT. Each question comes with a detailed explanation that adds related facts, so every question helps you revise more than one point.

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