Question map
Assertion (A) : West-flowing rivers of Peninsular India have no deltas. Reason (R) : These rivers do not carry any alluvial sediments.
Explanation
Assertion (A) is essentially correct: most west‑flowing Peninsular rivers do not form classical deltas but terminate as estuaries or short coastal deposits because they are short, swift and drain a narrow coastal belt rather than broad alluvial plains [2]. Reason (R) is incorrect: these rivers do carry alluvial sediments, but the quantity and depositional conditions are unfavorable for delta building. Factors such as short channel length, steep gradient, high velocity, limited sediment yield relative to eastern rivers, narrow continental shelf and strong wave/tidal action prevent significant delta formation and instead promote estuary or sediment bypassing into the sea. Narmada and Tapi are notable west‑flowing exceptions that form large estuaries rather than deltas [1].
Sources
- [1] CONTEMPORARY INDIA-I ,Geography, Class IX . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 3: Drainage > The Peninsular Rivers > p. 21
- [2] Exploring Society:India and Beyond ,Social Science-Class VII . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 1: Geographical Diversity of India > The West Coast of India > p. 19