South Indian Rivers
The major characteristics and features of rivers of South India are mentioned below in points:
Source: Rivers of South India rise from low hills and mostly from the Western Ghats.
Character of the Terrain: The peninsular rivers pass through the plateau of hard ancient rock. On their course rapids are common. They flow through graded shallow valleys. These rivers form almost straight course. Meanders are limited in number. The rivers do not change their course and they have formed graded profiles.
Navigability: The Rivers of south India are not navigable. They are navigable only on their deltas.
Irrigation Facility: The Peninsular rivers are not useful for irrigation. They remain dry other than rainy season.
Flow Pattern: These rivers get water from rainfall received during summer monsoons; hence they are seasonal rivers.
Length: The peninsular rivers are short. They flow over the plateaus and coastal plains.
Loads: The amount of load borne by the rivers of south India is much less, as they flow over hard rocks and as they cannot erode much materials.
Human Settlement: There are a few towns and settlement along the rivers of south India. It is because, these rivers do not provide good transport facility.
Tributaries: Rivers of the South India have a number of tributaries. But this number is limited.
Catchment Area: These rivers have small catchment areas. Their catchment areas cover limited areas. e.g. The Godavari, the great river basin of south India, covers only a catchment area of about 3 lakhs sq. km.
