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Rivers & Drainage
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Q.1
WBCS Prelims 2022
The Kasai and Keleghai rivers join to form
A. the Rupnarayan river
B. the Haldi river
C. the Subarnarekha river
D. the Damodar river
Explanation
Why Correct: The Kasai (Kangsabati) and Keleghai rivers converge near Nandakumar in East Midnapore district to form the Haldi River, which flows into the Bay of Bengal at Haldia.
Distractor Analysis: The Rupnarayan forms from the Dwarkeshwar and Shilabati rivers; the Subarnarekha originates in Jharkhand and flows through Odisha; the Damodar flows through Jharkhand and West Bengal but originates from the Chota Nagpur Plateau.
Takeaway: The Haldi River is a major navigational channel and hosts the Haldia port, one of India's largest riverine ports.
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Q.2
WBCS Prelims 2022
Kumari river is a tributary of
A. Mahanadi
B. Damodar
C. Kansabati
D. Ajoy
Explanation
Why Correct: The Kumari River flows through Purulia and Bankura districts of West Bengal and joins the Damodar River near Raghunathpur.
Distractor Analysis: Mahanadi is a major east-flowing river in Odisha and Chhattisgarh. Kansabati is another river in West Bengal that flows through Purulia, Bankura, and Paschim Medinipur districts. Ajoy is a tributary of the Bhagirathi-Hooghly river system flowing through Jharkhand and West Bengal.
Takeaway: The Damodar River system includes major tributaries like Barakar, Konar, Bokaro, and Haharo, with the Kumari being one of its smaller tributaries in the Purulia region.
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Q.3
WBCS Prelims 2022
The western part of Teesta river in West Bengal is called
A. Terai
B. Duars
C. Bagar
D. Bhabar
Explanation
Why Correct: The western part of the Teesta river in West Bengal is called Duars, which refers to the alluvial floodplains and foothill region in northern West Bengal.
Distractor Analysis: Terai is the belt of marshy grasslands and forests south of the Himalayan foothills in Nepal and northern India. Bagar is not a standard geographical term for this region in West Bengal. Bhabar is the narrow belt of porous gravelly soil at the base of the Shivalik Hills where streams disappear underground.
Takeaway: The Teesta river flows through Sikkim and West Bengal, with the Duars region being agriculturally productive and known for tea gardens and forests.
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Q.4
WBCS Prelims 2021
Mukutmanipur Dam is located across the following river :
A. Subarnarekha
B. Dwarkeswar
C. Barakar
D. Kangsabati
Explanation
Why Correct: Mukutmanipur Dam is built across the Kangsabati River in the Bankura district of West Bengal, creating the second largest earthen dam in India.
Distractor Analysis: Subarnarekha flows through Jharkhand, Odisha, and West Bengal, with dams like Chandil and Galudih. Dwarkeswar flows through Bankura and Purulia, with dams like Kangsabati's tributary projects. Barakar is a tributary of the Damodar River, with dams like Tilaiya and Maithon.
Takeaway: The Kangsabati Project also includes dams across the Kumari and Birai rivers, and provides irrigation to Purulia, Bankura, and Paschim Medinipur districts.
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Q.5
WBCS Prelims 2021
Punarbhava and Atrai are the distributaries of the following river :
A. Torsa
B. Teesta
C. Jaldhaka
D. Raidak
Explanation
Why Correct: Punarbhava and Atrai are major distributaries of the Teesta River in West Bengal, branching off in the Jalpaiguri and Cooch Behar districts.
Distractor Analysis: Torsa flows through Bhutan and West Bengal with distributaries like Kaljani. Jaldhaka originates in Sikkim and has tributaries like Diana. Raidak is another transboundary river with distributaries like Sankosh.
Takeaway: Teesta's main distributaries also include Karala and Ghish, while its major tributaries include Rangpo, Rangit, and Lachung.
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Q.6
WBCS Prelims 2021
The following river divides West Bengal and Assam :
A. Raidak
B. Sankosh
C. Kaljani
D. Chel
Explanation
Why Correct: Sankosh River forms the boundary between West Bengal and Assam, flowing from Bhutan into India.
Distractor Analysis: Raidak River flows through West Bengal and Assam but does not form the inter-state boundary. Kaljani River is a tributary of the Sankosh, flowing through West Bengal's Alipurduar district. Chel River is a small river in West Bengal's Jalpaiguri district.
Takeaway: Sankosh River also forms the boundary between West Bengal and Bhutan in its upper reaches.
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Q.7
WBCS Prelims 2020
The river on which Tilpara Barrage is located?
A. Damodar
B. Kangsabati
C. Silabati
D. Mayurakshi
Explanation
Why Correct: Tilpara Barrage is constructed on the Mayurakshi River near Suri in Birbhum district, West Bengal, serving irrigation and water supply purposes.
Distractor Analysis: Damodar River flows through Bankura and Purulia districts, known for the Damodar Valley Corporation projects. Kangsabati River traverses Purulia, Bankura, and Paschim Medinipur districts, with the Kangsabati Dam in Bankura. Silabati River flows through Purulia and Paschim Medinipur districts, joining the Rupnarayan River.
Takeaway: The Mayurakshi River originates from the Trikut Hills in Jharkhand, flows through Dumka and Birbhum districts, and merges with the Bhagirathi-Hooghly River near Kalna.
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Q.8
WBCS Prelims 2019
Western part of Tista river is known as
A. Terai
B. Duars
C. Tal
D. Diara
Explanation
Why Correct: The western part of the Tista river in West Bengal and Sikkim is specifically called the Duars region, which are floodplains and foothill areas between the Brahmaputra basin and the lower Himalayas.
Distractor Analysis: Terai refers to the marshy lowland belt south of the Himalayan foothills in northern India and Nepal. Tal describes a depression or lake formed by tectonic activity or river meandering. Diara denotes riverine islands or land formed by silt deposition in river channels, particularly in the Ganges basin.
Takeaway: The eastern part of the Tista river is called the Terai region, making this a common exam contrast.
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Q.9
WBCS Prelims 2019
Jalpaiguri town is located in the bank of
A. Tista and Karala river
B. Tista and Jaldhaka river
C. Jaldhaka and Raidhak river
D. Tista and Raidhak river
Explanation
Why Correct: Jalpaiguri town is situated at the confluence of the Tista and Karala rivers in West Bengal.
Distractor Analysis: The Tista and Jaldhaka rivers flow through Jalpaiguri district but meet further downstream near Dhupguri. The Jaldhaka and Raidhak rivers converge in Alipurduar district. The Tista and Raidhak rivers do not share a confluence point near Jalpaiguri town.
Takeaway: The Tista River originates from the Pauhunri glacier in Sikkim and is the largest river in North Bengal, while the Karala is a smaller tributary that joins it at Jalpaiguri.
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Q.10
WBCS Prelims 2018
Murshidabad district is bisected into two halves by
A. Mahananda river
B. Jalangi river
C. Bhagirathi river
D. Mathabhanga river
Explanation
Why Correct: The Bhagirathi River, a distributary of the Ganges, physically divides Murshidabad district into eastern and western halves.
Distractor Analysis: Mahananda flows through North Bengal districts like Malda. Jalangi is a tributary of the Bhagirathi within Murshidabad but does not bisect the district. Mathabhanga is a distributary in North 24 Parganas and Nadia districts.
Takeaway: The Bhagirathi-Hooghly river system forms the primary drainage of West Bengal, with the Bhagirathi historically marking the border between the Rarh and Bagri regions.
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Q.11
WBCS Prelims 2016
The longest river of Western West Bengal is :
A. Rupnarayan
B. Damodar
C. Subarnarekha
D. Koyna
Explanation
Why Correct: Damodar River flows approximately 592 km through West Bengal and Jharkhand, making it the longest river in Western West Bengal.
Distractor Analysis: Rupnarayan is a 240 km river formed by the confluence of the Dwarakeswar and Silai rivers. Subarnarekha flows 395 km through Jharkhand, West Bengal, and Odisha, with only a small portion in West Bengal. Koyna is a 130 km river located entirely in Maharashtra, not in West Bengal.
Takeaway: The Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) was established in 1948 as India's first multipurpose river valley project, primarily on the Damodar River.
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Q.12
WBCS Prelims 2015
The North flowing rivers of West Bengal are
A. Tista, Jaldhaka, Raidhak
B. Ganga, Brahmaputra
C. Tista, Ganga
D. Damodar, Ganga
Explanation
Why Correct: None of the provided options correctly identifies north-flowing rivers in West Bengal. The state's major rivers flow predominantly eastward or southeastward toward the Bay of Bengal.
Distractor Analysis: Tista, Jaldhaka, and Raidhak flow southward through North Bengal districts. Ganga flows southeast through West Bengal. Brahmaputra flows west-southwest through Assam before turning south into Bangladesh, not through West Bengal. Damodar flows east-southeast across West Bengal toward the Hooghly River.
Takeaway: West Bengal's river systems are characterized by eastward drainage patterns, with the Ganga-Brahmaputra delta dominating the southern region and Himalayan tributaries flowing southward in the north.
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Q.13
WBCS Prelims 2014
Damodar river rises from
A. Rajmahal plateau
B. Chhotanagpur plateau
C. Himalayas
D. Eastern Ghats
Explanation
Why Correct: The Damodar River originates in the Chhotanagpur Plateau near Chandwa in Jharkhand's Lohardaga district.
Distractor Analysis: The Rajmahal Plateau lies further east in Jharkhand and is associated with the Ganges basin, not Damodar's origin. The Himalayas are the source of major north Indian rivers like the Ganges and Brahmaputra. The Eastern Ghats run through Odisha and Andhra Pradesh, far from Damodar's catchment area.
Takeaway: Damodar is often called 'Sorrow of Bengal' due to its frequent flooding, and it flows through Jharkhand and West Bengal before joining the Hooghly River.
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Q.14
WBCS Prelims 2014
Jalpaiguri is situated on the banks of which rivers?
A. Tista and Karala
B. Tista and Jaldhaka
C. Jaldhaka and Torsa
D. Tista and Raidak
Explanation
Why Correct: Jalpaiguri town lies at the confluence of Tista and Jaldhaka rivers in northern West Bengal.
Distractor Analysis: Karala is a tributary of Tista but doesn't flow through Jalpaiguri town. Torsa flows through Cooch Behar district further east. Raidak (also called Wong Chhu) flows through Bhutan and joins Brahmaputra in Assam.
Takeaway: Tista originates from Cholamu Lake in Sikkim and joins Brahmaputra in Bangladesh, while Jaldhaka originates from Bidang Lake in Sikkim.
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Q.15
WBCS Prelims 2013
Which is the eastern most river of the North Bengal Plains ?
A. Torsa
B. Raidak
C. Mechi
D. Pagla
Explanation
Why Correct: The Mechi River forms the easternmost boundary of North Bengal Plains, marking the India-Nepal border and flowing into the Mahananda River.
Distractor Analysis: Torsa River flows through Bhutan and Jalpaiguri district before entering Bangladesh. Raidak River originates in Bhutan and joins the Brahmaputra in Bangladesh. Pagla River is a tributary of the Mahananda system in North Dinajpur district.
Takeaway: North Bengal's rivers follow a north-south alignment from Himalayan foothills to the plains, with Teesta being the largest and Jaldhaka the westernmost major river.
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Q.16
WBCS Prelims 2006
Barakar is the major tributary of
A. Mahanadi
B. Ganga
C. Damodar
D. Ajoy
Explanation
Why Correct: The Barakar River originates in Jharkhand, flows through West Bengal, and joins the Damodar River near Dishergarh in West Bengal.
Distractor Analysis: The Mahanadi is a major east-central Indian river flowing through Chhattisgarh and Odisha. The Ganga is India's longest river, flowing from Uttarakhand through Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and West Bengal. The Ajoy is a separate river flowing through Purulia and Birbhum districts in West Bengal and Jharkhand.
Takeaway: The Damodar River basin includes major tributaries like Barakar, Konar, and Bokaro, forming a significant river system in Jharkhand and West Bengal.
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Q.17
WBCS Prelims 2006
From Nabadwip to Bay of Bengal the Ganga river is named as
A. Bhagirathi
B. Hooghly
C. Ganga
D. Ichhamati
Explanation
Why Correct: The Hooghly River is the distributary of the Ganga that flows from Nabadwip in West Bengal southward to the Bay of Bengal, passing through Kolkata and forming the Hooghly estuary.
Distractor Analysis: Bhagirathi is another distributary that joins the Hooghly near Nabadwip. Ganga is the main river upstream of the bifurcation point near Farakka. Ichhamati is a separate river in West Bengal that flows through the Sundarbans region.
Takeaway: The main Ganga river flows into Bangladesh as the Padma after the Farakka Barrage, while the Hooghly remains in India as the primary river of West Bengal.
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Q.18
WBCS Prelims 2004
The source of the Jaldhaka river is
A. Bitang lake
B. Chomalhari Peak
C. Zemu Glacier
D. Jelap La
Explanation
Why Correct: The Jaldhaka River originates from the Bitang Lake (also called Kupup Lake) in Sikkim at an elevation of approximately 4,300 meters.
Distractor Analysis: Chomolhari (7,314 m) is a Himalayan peak on the Bhutan-China border, not a river source. Zemu Glacier in Sikkim feeds the Teesta River, not the Jaldhaka. Jelep La (4,267 m) is a mountain pass between Sikkim and Tibet, not a river source.
Takeaway: The Jaldhaka River flows through Sikkim, West Bengal, and Bhutan before joining the Brahmaputra River in Bangladesh, where it's known as the Dharla River.
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Q.19
WBCS Prelims 2004
‘Canada Dam’ is on the
A. Damodar
B. Kasai
C. Baitarani
D. Mayurakshi
Explanation
Why Correct: Canada Dam, also known as Massanjore Dam, is built on the Mayurakshi River in West Bengal and Jharkhand.
Distractor Analysis: Damodar is a major river in West Bengal and Jharkhand with several dams including Panchet and Maithon. Kasai is a river in West Bengal that flows through Purulia and Bankura districts. Baitarani is a river in Odisha that flows through the eastern part of the state.
Takeaway: Massanjore Dam is a joint project between India and Canada, which explains the name 'Canada Dam'.
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Q.20
WBCS Prelims 2004
NH 34 connects
A. Kolkata with Asansol
B. Kolkata with Jhargram
C. Kolkata with Siliguri
D. Kolkata with Bangaon
Explanation
Why Correct: National Highway 34 connects Kolkata in West Bengal to Siliguri in West Bengal, passing through major towns like Krishnanagar, Berhampore, and Malda.
Distractor Analysis: Kolkata-Asansol is connected by NH 19 (formerly NH 2). Kolkata-Jhargram is connected by NH 49. Kolkata-Bangaon is connected by NH 12.
Takeaway: NH 34 is a crucial highway for connecting North Bengal with South Bengal and serves as a major route to the northeastern states.
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