Consider the river drainage basins originating in Kerala: Statement I: The Periyar River is the longest river in Kerala, originating from the Sivamala hills and draining into the Vembanad Lake system before meeting the Arabian Sea. Statement II: The Kabani, Bhavani, and Pamba rivers are all major east-flowing river systems that cross the Western Ghats to join the Kaveri basin in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. Which of the following is correct?

💡 Solution & Explanation

Statement I is incorrect because while the Periyar is indeed the longest river in Kerala, it empties directly into the Arabian Sea through the Cranganore (Kodungallur) backwater system rather than draining entirely into Vembanad Lake. Statement II is incorrect because while the Kabani and Bhavani are east-flowing rivers joining the Kaveri basin, the Pamba River is a major west-flowing river that empties directly into Vembanad Lake. Only three rivers in Kerala are east-flowing: Kabani, Bhavani, and Pambar.