PREVIOUSLY ASKED IN:
PSC Miscellaneous Prelims 2018
Answer
Amarkantak plateau
Explanation
The Narmada River is the largest west-flowing river in Peninsular India. It originates from the Amarkantak Plateau in the Anuppur district of Madhya Pradesh. Unlike most Indian rivers that flow east, the Narmada flows westwards through a rift valley situated between the Vindhya and Satpura mountain ranges. It eventually drains into the Arabian Sea via the Gulf of Khambhat in Gujarat.
Key Points
- > Narmada originates from the Amarkantak plateau in Madhya Pradesh.
- > It is the longest west-flowing river in India.
- > It flows through a rift valley between the Vindhya and Satpura ranges.
- > It forms the picturesque Dhuandhar Falls in Jabalpur.
- > The massive Sardar Sarovar Dam is built across this river.
- > Mahabaleshwar is the source of the Krishna River.
- > Trimbakeshwar is the source of the Godavari River.
Additional Information
- >## Origin of Major Peninsular Rivers\n\n| River Name | Origin Source | Outflow/Mouth |\n|---|---|---|\n| Narmada | Amarkantak Plateau | Arabian Sea (West) |\n| Tapti | Multai (Satpura Range) | Arabian Sea (West) |\n| Godavari | Trimbakeshwar | Bay of Bengal (East) |\n| Krishna | Mahabaleshwar | Bay of Bengal (East) |\n| Cauvery | Brahmagiri Hills | Bay of Bengal (East) |\n\n### Memory Tips\n- **Rift Valley Rivers**: Narmada and Tapti are the exceptions in Peninsular India
- > they flow West into the Arabian Sea because they flow through structural faults (rift valleys) instead of following the general East-ward slope of the plateau.