Which of the following rivers fall into the Arabian Sea?

Question

Which of the following rivers fall into the Arabian Sea?

1. Periyar

2. Pennar

3. Palar

Select the correct answer from the code given below:

1. A. Only 1 (Correct answer)
2. B. Only 3
3. C. 2 and 3
4. D. 1 and 2

Correct Answer

Option A — Only 1

Detailed Solution & Explanation

The correct answer is Only 1.

Key Points

• 1. Periyar ✓ is a west-flowing river of Kerala and drains into the Arabian Sea. It is the longest river of Kerala.
• 2. Pennar ✗ flows east across Andhra Pradesh into the Bay of Bengal.
• 3. Palar ✗ also flows east, through Tamil Nadu into the Bay of Bengal.
• Only the Periyar qualifies, giving option (a).

Additional Information

• The general rule for peninsular India: most major rivers rise in the Western Ghats and flow east into the Bay of Bengal — the Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna, Kaveri, Pennar, Palar and Vaigai. They form deltas.
• The main west-flowing rivers into the Arabian Sea are the Narmada and Tapi — which flow through rift valleys and form estuaries, not deltas — along with the Mahi, Sabarmati, Luni and the short, swift rivers of the Konkan and Malabar coasts such as the Periyar, Bharathapuzha, Pamba, Sharavati and Mandovi.
• The Periyar is dammed at Idukki (a major arch dam) and at Mullaperiyar, the latter a long-standing dispute between Kerala and Tamil Nadu. The Periyar Tiger Reserve lies in its catchment.
• The Western Ghats form the main water divide of peninsular India, which is why so few rivers reach the Arabian Sea.