Geography ยท General Awareness

Indian Rivers and Waterways

2,563 Questions

This topic covers major Indian rivers, their basins, hydroelectric projects, and historical water management systems. Questions on river geography are essential for SSC, banking, railways, UPSC, and state exams. Solving these questions builds mapping and factual accuracy for test takers.

River hydroelectric projectsMajor river basinsAncient water managementInterlinking of riversMythological Indian rivers

Indian Rivers and Waterways Questions

Multiple choice

Which one of the following pairs of rivers has caused maximum flood havoc in China 1998?

  1. Yangtze Kiang and Peh Kiang

  2. Hwang Ho and Si Kiang

  3. Si Kiang and Yangtze Kiang

  4. Yangtze Kiang and Hwang Ho
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The 1998 floods in China were among the most devastating in modern history, primarily affecting the Yangtze River basin. While the Hwang Ho (Yellow River) is historically known as 'China's Sorrow' due to flooding, the 1998 event was centered on the Yangtze and its tributaries.

Multiple choice

Which one of the following dams is not meant for irrigation?

  1. Bhavanisagar

  2. Sivasamudram

  3. Krishna Raja Sagar

  4. Bhakra-Nangal
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Sivasamudram is primarily known for its hydroelectric power project, which was one of the first in Asia. Unlike the other dams listed, its main purpose is power generation rather than large-scale irrigation.

Multiple choice

Which one of the following barrages supplier water to the Indira Gandhi Canal?

  1. Bhakra

  2. Harika

  3. Narora

  4. Pandoh
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The Indira Gandhi Canal, one of the largest irrigation projects in India, receives its water from the Harike Barrage. This barrage is located at the confluence of the Sutlej and Beas rivers in the state of Punjab. The canal provides essential water for irrigation and drinking to the arid regions of Rajasthan.

Multiple choice

Which river is also known as 'Sorrow of China/Yellow river'?

  1. Yangtze

  2. Songhua

  3. Hwang Ho

  4. Tsang Po

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The Hwang Ho (Yellow River) is known as the 'Sorrow of China' due to its history of devastating floods that have caused immense loss of life and property. It is also called the Yellow River because of the yellow silt it carries.

Multiple choice

Which of the following dams is not on Narmada River?

  1. Indira-Sagar Project

  2. Maheshwar Hydel Power Project

  3. Koyan Power Project

  4. Jobat Project

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The Koyna Dam is constructed on the Koyna River in Maharashtra, which is a tributary of the Krishna River. The other projects mentioned are either directly on the Narmada River or on its immediate tributaries like the Hathni River.

Multiple choice

An Indian river that not from any delta is:

  1. the Krishna

  2. the Sindh

  3. the Narmada

  4. the Cauvery

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The Narmada and Tapti are major west-flowing rivers in India that empty into the Arabian Sea through estuaries rather than forming deltas. Rivers like the Krishna and Cauvery flow east and form large deltas at the Bay of Bengal.

Multiple choice

Rajghat dam is situated on river:

  1. Narmada

  2. Sutlej

  3. Betwa

  4. Chambal

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The Rajghat Dam is an inter-state dam project between the states of Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. It is constructed on the Betwa River, which is a major tributary of the Yamuna.

Multiple choice

Which river is also known as 'Bengal's sorrow'?

  1. Kosi

  2. Son

  3. Damodar

  4. Ghaghara
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The Damodar River was historically known as the 'Sorrow of Bengal' due to the frequent and devastating floods it caused in the plains of West Bengal. While modern dam projects have mitigated this, the nickname remains a part of regional geography.

Multiple choice

Amaravathi is located on the bank of river

  1. Narmada

  2. Godavari

  3. Ganga

  4. Krishna
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Amaravathi, the historic site and former capital of the Satavahanas, is located on the southern bank of the Krishna River in Andhra Pradesh. It is famous for its ancient Buddhist stupa and its role as a religious center.

Multiple choice

Kolkata is situated on the banks of river

  1. Hoogli

  2. Yamuna

  3. Krishna

  4. Sone
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Kolkata is located on the eastern bank of the Hooghly River, which is a distributary of the Ganges. The river is vital for the city's port and has historical significance for trade in the region.