The Damodar
Explanation
The Chotanagpur Plateau is a continental plateau located in eastern India, covering much of Jharkhand as well as adjacent parts of Odisha, West Bengal, and Chhattisgarh. It is drained by several rivers, most notably the Damodar, Subarnarekha, North Koel, South Koel, and Barakar.
Option-wise Analysis
- The Chambal The Chambal: Incorrect. The Chambal River originates near Mhow in the Vindhya Range (Madhya Pradesh) and flows north-northeast through the Malwa Plateau to join the Yamuna. It does not drain the Chotanagpur Plateau.
- The Damodar The Damodar: Correct. The Damodar River originates in the Palamau hills of the Chotanagpur Plateau in Jharkhand. It flows eastward through a rift valley, draining the plateau before joining the Hooghly River in West Bengal.
- The Betwa The Betwa: Incorrect. The Betwa River rises in the Vindhya Range (Raisen district, Madhya Pradesh) and flows north-northeast to join the Yamuna. It drains the Malwa region, not the Chotanagpur Plateau.
- The Ken The Ken: Incorrect. The Ken River originates in the Kaimur Range (Madhya Pradesh) and flows north to join the Yamuna. It is part of the Bundelkhand region's drainage system.
Key Takeaway
The Damodar River occupies a rift valley within the Chotanagpur Plateau and is the primary river draining this mineral-rich region. In contrast, the Chambal, Betwa, and Ken are tributaries of the Yamuna that drain the Malwa and Bundelkhand regions of Central India.