Description

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Context

Heavy rains in Rudraprayag, Uttarakhand, have caused a spike in the water level of the Alaknanda River, resulting in a flood-like condition in the area.

About the Alaknanda River

The Alaknanda, a Himalayan river that flows through Uttarakhand, is one of the Ganga's two headwaters. It starts in the Satopanth glacier and joins Nandakini in Nandaprayag, Pindar in Karnaprayag, Mandakini in Rudraprayag, and Bhagirathi in Devprayag. After that, it is known as Ganga, and it flows to Rishikesh and Haridwar.

Tributaries of the Alaknanda River

Prayag (Confluence)	Rivers Meeting	Description
Vishnuprayag	Alaknanda + Dhauliganga	First confluence; named after Lord Vishnu
Nandprayag	Alaknanda + Nandakini	Named after Nanda, foster father of Lord Krishna
Karnaprayag	Alaknanda + Pindar	Associated with Karna from the Mahabharata
Rudraprayag	Alaknanda + Mandakini	Named after Lord Rudra (Shiva); spiritual significance
Devprayag	Alaknanda + Bhagirathi	Final and most revered confluence; from here the river is known as the Ganga

Historical significance

In ancient Hindu texts, the Alaknanda is often used synonymously with the Ganga.
As per the Vishnu Purana, the Ganga divides into four parts; Alaknanda is one of them flowing south to India.
Alaknanda forms five major confluences known as Panch Prayag, each considered sacred.
Alaknanda flows through key Hindu pilgrimage sites like Badrinath and Joshimath.

Source: msn.com

Practice Question:

Q. Which of the following statements about the Alaknanda River is/are correct?

The Alaknanda originates from the Satopanth Glacier near Badrinath.
It meets the Bhagirathi River at Devprayag to form the River Ganga.
The Mandakini River is a left-bank tributary of the Alaknanda.

Select the correct answer using the code below:

A) 1 and 2 only
B) 2 and 3 only
C) 1 and 3 only
D) 1, 2 and 3

Answer:

D) 1, 2 and 3

Explanation:

● Statement 1: Correct. The Alaknanda River originates from the Satopanth Glacier near Badrinath in Uttarakhand.

● Statement 2: Correct. The Alaknanda meets the Bhagirathi River at Devprayag, and from that point, the combined flow is known as the Ganga.

● Statement 3: Correct. The Mandakini River, which joins the Alaknanda at Rudraprayag, is a left-bank tributary.