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mediumQ. No. 14318-which-river-is-called-the-sorrow-of-west-bengal

Which river is called the 'Sorrow of West Bengal'?

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This question examines an important river-or-lake fact: “Which river is called the 'Sorrow of West Bengal'?” The correct answer is Damodar. The Damodar River was historically called the 'Sorrow of Bengal' (now West Bengal) because of the devastating floods it used to cause in the region. After the Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) was established in 1948 and dams were built, flood control improved significantly. A river system includes its source, tributaries, distributaries, drainage basin, watershed, channel, floodplain, delta or estuary and final outlet. River behaviour depends on relief, geology, rainfall, snowmelt, sediment load, vegetation and human intervention.

AHooghly
BDamodar
CTeesta
DSubarnarekha
Correct Answer: DamodarYour Answer: B

Explanation

Correct Answer: Option B — Damodar The Damodar was historically called the “Sorrow of Bengal” because destructive floods repeatedly affected its lower valley in present-day West Bengal. It rises on the Chota Nagpur Plateau in Jharkhand and flows eastward to join the Hooghly river system. Flood moderation improved after the creation of the Damodar Valley Corporation and its network of dams. - Option A — Hooghly: The Hooghly is a distributary of the Ganga and receives the Damodar downstream. - Option C — Teesta: The Teesta flows through Sikkim and northern West Bengal before entering Bangladesh and joining the Brahmaputra system. - Option D — Subarnarekha: The Subarnarekha rises near Ranchi and flows separately to the Bay of Bengal. Exam Takeaway: Damodar is the historical Sorrow of Bengal and the river of the DVC.

Important Notes

  • Damodar rises on the Chota Nagpur Plateau in Jharkhand and flows through the coal and industrial belt before entering West Bengal.
  • The river was historically known as the Sorrow of Bengal because of frequent floods in its lower valley before large scale river regulation.
  • The Damodar Valley Corporation was established in 1948 for flood control, irrigation, power generation and regional development.
  • Damodar should not be confused with Hooghly. Damodar joins the Hooghly system, while Hooghly is a distributary channel of the Ganga.
  • Major DVC dams include Tilaiya and Maithon on the Barakar, and Konar and Panchet within the Damodar valley system.

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