With reference to Himalayan rivers joining the Ganga downstream of Prayagraj from West to East, whic

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Question

With reference to Himalayan rivers joining the Ganga downstream of Prayagraj from West to East, which one of the following sequences is correct?

Accepted Answer

Correct Answer: B — Gomati – Ghaghara – Gandak – KosiStep-by-step Solution:The question asks for the west-to-east sequence in which these rivers join the Ganga downstream of Prayagraj (Allahabad). Moving eastward from Prayagraj along the Ganga:1st — Gomati: The Gomati River originates near Pilibhit in Uttar Pradesh from Gomat Taal (Fulhaar Jheel) and flows through Lucknow, Barabanki, Sultanpur, and Jaunpur before joining the Ganga near Varanasi (Ghazipur district). It is the westernmost of the four tributaries listed below Prayagraj. ✓2nd — Ghaghara (Ghagra/Karnali): The Ghaghara originates in the Mapchachungo glacier in Tibet, collects the Kali (Sharda) river, and enters the plains, joining the Ganga at Chhapra (Saran district) in Bihar. It is one of the largest left-bank tributaries of the Ganga. ✓3rd — Gandak (Narayani): The Gandak rises in Nepal Himalayas (between Dhaulagiri and Everest), enters Bihar at Champaran, and joins the Ganga at Sonpur/Hajipur near Patna. ✓4th — Kosi: The Kosi (Sapt Kosi — formed by seven tributaries including the Arun) originates in Tibet, crosses Nepal, and joins the Ganga in Katihar district of Bihar — the easternmost of the four listed tributaries. Known as the 'Sorrow of Bihar' for its frequent course changes and devastating floods. ✓The correct west-to-east sequence is: Gomati → Ghaghara → Gandak → Kosi.Why other options are incorrect:Option A (Ghaghara – Gomati – Gandak – Kosi): Incorrect. Ghaghara joins east of Gomati (at Chhapra), so Gomati comes first (west).Option C (Ghaghara – Gomati – Kosi – Gandak): Incorrect. Both the order of Ghaghara/Gomati and Kosi/Gandak are wrong.Option D (Gomati – Ghaghara – Kosi – Gandak): Incorrect. Gandak joins the Ganga before (west of) Kosi.Key Concept: Himalayan tributaries of the Ganga (left bank, downstream of Prayagraj, west to east): Gomati: Joins near Varanasi/Ghazipur; state — UP; source: Gomat Taal, Pilibhit. Ghaghara/Ghagra (Karnali in Nepal): Joins at Chhapra, Bihar; largest left tributary of Ganga by discharge. Gandak (Narayani): Joins at Sonpur/Hajipur, Bihar; drains central Nepal. Kosi (Sapt Kosi): Joins at Katihar, Bihar; eastern Bihar; source: Tibet; known as 'Sorrow of Bihar' due to frequent flooding. Right-bank tributaries of Ganga (south, from Deccan/Vindhyas): Son, Damodar (joins Hooghly), Rupnarayan. The Ganga river system: Originates at Gangotri glacier (Bhagirathi); major junction at Devprayag (Bhagirathi + Alaknanda = Ganga); enters plains at Haridwar; joins Bay of Bengal (via Hooghly/Padma) at Sundarbans.

With reference to Himalayan rivers joining the Ganga downstream of Prayagraj from West to East, which one of the following sequences is correct?

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With reference to Himalayan rivers joining the Ganga downstream of Prayagraj from West to East, which one of the following sequences is correct?

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