PET 2026 · Geography

Rivers: joining, branching and drainage

Distinguish river network terms, waterfalls, mouths and dam projects

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MINDMAPS FOR UPSCPET 2026 · VISUAL REVISION

Rivers: joining, branching and drainage

Distinguish river network terms, waterfalls, mouths and dam projects

Concept map
River systems and landforms
A tributary joins; a distributary branchesTributary → joins the main riverDistributary → branches away
A tributary joins; a distributary branchesSwipe sideways to explore the diagram.

Tributary and distributary

  • A tributary flows into a larger main river or lake, adding water and sediment.
  • Example: the Yamuna joins the Ganga at Prayagraj.
  • A distributary branches off from the main river near its delta, like the Hooghly.

Basin, divide and waterfall

  • A drainage basin is the total catchment area drained by a river and its tributaries.
  • An elevated water divide (watershed) separates two neighbouring drainage basins.
  • Steep scarps create waterfalls, such as Jog (Gersoppa) Falls on the Sharavathi.

Delta and estuary

  • A delta can grow where sediment deposition at a river mouth exceeds its removal.
  • East-flowing rivers like the Ganga, Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna and Kaveri form deltas.
  • An estuary is a tidal river mouth; the Narmada and Tapi are Indian examples.

Dams and downstream effects

  • Hirakud Dam is built across the Mahanadi river near Sambalpur in Odisha.
  • Multi-purpose dams support flood moderation, irrigation storage and hydroelectricity.
  • Impoundment also traps silt, alters downstream flow and requires careful management.
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Practise this concept · संबंधित प्रश्न

One visual, several questions. These links open the original paper at the matching question.

25 Oct · Shift 1 · 2026

25 Oct · Shift 2 · 2026

30 Oct · Shift 1 · 2026

Sources & study notes · स्रोत

Independent revision material, linked to the paper’s concepts. The question papers and answer-key status are available on OpenPYQ.