UPSC Prelims 1998 · General Studies
Question 67: Geography
Which one of the following east-flowing rivers of India has a rift valley due to down-warping?
AnswerThe answer is (a).
The Damodar flows east through the Chotanagpur plateau along a trough formed by down-warping between faults, a rift valley, before joining the Hooghly in Bengal. It was once called the sorrow of Bengal for its floods. The Narmada and Tapi also flow in rift valleys, but they flow west. The Mahanadi does not run in a rift, the Sone joins the Ganga, and the Yamuna is a tributary of the Ganga.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Right: the Damodar flows in a rift valley.
- (b) The Mahanadi does not flow in a rift valley.
- (c) The Sone joins the Ganga; it does not flow to the sea.
- (d) The Yamuna is a tributary of the Ganga.
Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 1998, General Studies. UPSC's own paper isn't online; the words are from a published compilation. The paper on upsc.gov.in.