Question

The flow of the rivers in the Deccan Plateau indicates its slope as:
A. South-west to North-east
B. West to East
C. South-east to North-west
D. East to West

Answer 1

Hint: These rivers follow the natural water flow cycle from high altitudes to low altitudes, i.e. The majority of the rivers in the Deccan Plateau fell into the Bay of Bengal. There is a height and a slope to the height and slope of the Deccan Plateau that suggests its general or natural river course.

Complete Answer:
- A large plateau covering most of South India is the Deccan Plateau. It is triangular, with three mountain ranges surrounding it. It spans eight Indian states (principally, Telangana, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu). The plateau includes 422,000 square kilometres (163,000 sq mi), 43% of the landmass of India.
- The main rivers, the Godavari, Krishna, and Kaveri (Cauvery), flow east to the Bay of Bengal from the Western Ghats. The climate of the plateau is drier than on the coasts and is arid in places. The flow of the Deccan Plateau rivers indicates its slope from west to east.
The plateau is bounded by the Ghats to the east and west, while the Vindhya Range is its northern extremity.

Let us carefully examine the alternatives given.
- It is mainly the Narmada River, originating from the Amarkantak Plateau, which flows from south-west to north-east. Option A is therefore an incorrect choice.
- The average elevation of the Deccan is about 2,000 feet (600 m), sloping generally eastward; its main rivers, the Godavari, Krishna, and Kaveri, flow eastward to the Bay of Bengal from the Western Ghats. Thus the right choice is Option B.
- The rivers usually move to the same side of the Deccan plateau and not to the north. Option C, therefore is not correct.
- Narmada and Tapti are major rivers that flow to the west. Option D is not, therefore the right choice.

Hence option B, is the right answer.

Note: In the south, it rises to 1000 m but dips in the north to 500 m. The plateau's northwestern area consists of many separate lava flows and structures of igneous rock known as the Deccan Traps. This area is one of the world's largest volcanic provinces. As there is ample access to water and the climate is conducive to living, the river valley areas of the plateau tend to be densely populated.