RAS question
The Tapi River flows parallel to which river?
Correct answer: (B) Narmada.
The Tapi River flows almost parallel to the Narmada River, south of it, as both are major west-flowing peninsular rivers.
Explanation
The Tapi, also spelt Tapti, is parallel to the Narmada and lies to its south. India-WRIS Wiki identifies Narmada and Tapti as rivers that flow almost parallel to each other, and its Tapi section adds that the Tapi is a central Indian, peninsular river running from east to west. In the standard RAS framing, unlike most peninsular rivers that drain eastwards, the Tapi and Narmada are notable west-flowing rivers associated with rift-valley courses and the Arabian Sea drainage. The Tapi lies between the Satpura Range to the north and the Ajanta Range to the south, with its origin near Multai in Betul district, Madhya Pradesh.
Why the other options are wrong
- (A) Godavari is not parallel to the Tapi in this pattern; India-WRIS describes it as flowing southeast and emptying into the Bay of Bengal.
- (C) Mahanadi does not match the Tapi's west-flowing parallel relationship with Narmada; its course is towards the Bay of Bengal.
- (D) Krishna is a separate east-flowing peninsular river system, with India-WRIS noting that it meets the sea in the Bay of Bengal.
Concept
This tests peninsular river drainage, especially the exceptional west-flowing rivers. RAS repeatedly asks such map-based contrasts because they link direction of flow, relief structure and river basins in one fact.