Research on Narmada and Tapti river by Ettila Roy Etu

Narmada basin extends over states of Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra and
Chhattisgarh having an area of 98,796 Sq.km which is nearly 3% of the total
geographical area of the country with maximum length and width of 923 & 161
km. It lies between 72°38’ to 81°43’ east longitudes and 21°27’ to 23°37’ north
latitudes. It is bounded by the Vindhyas on the north, by the Maikala range on the
east, by the Satpuras on the south and by the Arabian Sea on the west. The hilly
regions are in the upper part of the basin, and lower middle reaches are broad and
fertile areas well suited for cultivation. Narmada is the largest west flowing river of
the peninsular India.

Tapti river is one of the major rivers in India and flows in the central part of India.
The river originates from the Betul district of Madhya Pradesh in the Satpura range
at an approximate height of about 752 meter above the sea level. The Tapti River
flows through the Indian states of Maharashtra, Gujrat and Madhya Pradesh. Apart
from the Narmada River, Tapi is the only river, which flows in the westward
direction and empties into the Arabian Sea. The Tapi basin extends to the total area
of 65, 145 sq km that is approximately 2.0% of the total geographical area of India.
The main tributaries of the Tapi River are Purna, The Panjhra, The Vaghur, The
Girna, the Bori and the Aner.

Both Narmada and Tapti river does not form delta. Deltas are the result of
interacting fluvial (river) and, usually, marine systems. However, they can form
anywhere a stream flows into shallower open water.

Because mountain ranges lie on both sides of these rivers which extend up to a
place which is hardly 80 KMs from the sea . So there is not enough space(or
plains) for delta formation. Moreover the slope of the river may be more when it
descends and enters the sea along the above 80 KMs route thereby not allowing
any delta formation. This river contains very few amounts of Slits and due to its
fast speed it cannot make delta. When these fast flowing rivers reach to its mouth it
become unable to deposit its slits, due to this reason slits falls in to the sea.