Part of: Miscellaneous Indian Gk set 159

Which of the following groups of rivers fall in the Bayof Bengal?

Category: Miscellaneous Indian Gk

Hint: Consider the major rivers that originate in the Himalayas and flow eastward.

Correct Answer: A) Ganga, Brahmaputra, Hooghly.

Exam Relevance: UPSC, SSC, State PSC

Difficulty: Easy

Explanations:

The Bay of Bengal is a significant body of water in the northeastern part of the Indian Ocean, bordered by India, Bangladesh, and Myanmar. Several major rivers in India and Bangladesh drain into the Bay of Bengal, contributing to its ecological and economic importance. The Ganga, Brahmaputra, and Hooghly are among the most prominent rivers that flow into the Bay of Bengal.

The Ganga, also known as the Ganges, is one of the most sacred rivers in India. It originates from the Gangotri Glacier in the Himalayas and flows through the northern plains of India before reaching the Bay of Bengal. The Brahmaputra, originating in Tibet, flows through northeastern India and Bangladesh before joining the Ganga and emptying into the Bay of Bengal. The Hooghly is a distributary of the Ganga that flows through West Bengal and also empties into the Bay of Bengal.

Understanding the drainage patterns of these rivers is crucial for comprehending the geographical and hydrological features of the region. The Ganga and Brahmaputra form a vast delta in Bangladesh, known as the Sundarbans, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site and an important habitat for the Bengal tiger. The Hooghly, being a distributary of the Ganga, plays a significant role in the economic and cultural life of West Bengal.

It is important to note that while the Ganga and Brahmaputra are major rivers that directly flow into the Bay of Bengal, the Hooghly, being a distributary, also contributes to the drainage into the Bay of Bengal. The Yamuna, on the other hand, joins the Ganga at Allahabad (Prayagraj) and does not flow directly into the Bay of Bengal. Therefore, the correct answer is the group of rivers that includes the Ganga, Brahmaputra, and Hooghly.

Option Analysis:
  • Option A: This option is correct. The Ganga, Brahmaputra, and Hooghly all flow into the Bay of Bengal. The Hooghly is a distributary of the Ganga that flows through West Bengal and empties into the Bay of Bengal.
  • Option B: This option is incorrect. While the Ganga and Godavari do flow into the Bay of Bengal, the Yamuna joins the Ganga before it reaches the Bay of Bengal. The Yamuna itself does not directly flow into the Bay of Bengal.
  • Option C: This option is incorrect. The Ganga and Brahmaputra do flow into the Bay of Bengal, but the Yamuna joins the Ganga before it reaches the Bay of Bengal and does not flow directly into the Bay of Bengal.
  • Option D: This option is incorrect. The Ganga and Gandak do flow into the Bay of Bengal, but the Yamuna joins the Ganga before it reaches the Bay of Bengal and does not flow directly into the Bay of Bengal.

Mnemonic: GBH for Ganga, Brahmaputra, Hooghly

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