Question
Identify the river of the Indian sub-continent on the basis of the following information:
1. It has an antecedent drainage system.
2. It flows through three countries.
3. It originates in the Tibetan Plateau and is an important river for irrigation.
4. It does not form distributaries.
Explanation
The Sutlej is the only river that satisfies all the given conditions. It is an antecedent river, originates in Tibet, crosses three countries and eventually joins the Indus system without forming a delta or distributaries.
Antecedent drainage: The Sutlej is an example of antecedent drainage, having maintained its course while the Himalayas were rising and cutting deep gorges through the mountains.
Flows through three countries: It flows through China (Tibet), India and Pakistan. The Indus and Brahmaputra also cross three countries, while the Teesta flows through only India and Bangladesh.
Originates in the Tibetan Plateau: The Sutlej originates near Rakshastal in Tibet, close to Lake Mansarovar, and is an important source of irrigation and hydropower in northern India.
Does not form distributaries: Unlike the Indus and Brahmaputra, which develop extensive deltaic distributaries, the Sutlej joins the Chenab to form the Panjnad, which eventually merges with the Indus. It therefore does not form a major distributary system.