Bihar CHO -2019
General Knowledge
Easy

Which river is known as the sorrow of Bihar?.

Appeared in: Bihar CHO -2019

Explanation

  • The Kosi River is known as the 'Sorrow of Bihar' due to its history of causing devastating floods.
  • The river's high sediment load from the Himalayas leads to the formation of a large alluvial fan and frequent, unpredictable changes in its course.
  • During monsoons, the river often breaches its embankments, leading to widespread destruction of life, property, and agricultural land in Bihar.

Why Other Options Were Wrong

  • Option A: The Ganga is a major, sacred river in Bihar, but it is not known for the same level of unpredictable and destructive flooding as the Kosi.
  • Option C: The Son River is a southern tributary of the Ganga and does not have the characteristic of frequent, catastrophic course changes that defines the Kosi.
  • Option D: The Gandak River is another important tributary of the Ganga in Bihar, but the specific epithet 'Sorrow of Bihar' is exclusively reserved for the Kosi.

Related Visual

Visual explanation — Related Visual
Clinical Relevance
  • Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Indian Geography - River Nicknames as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
  • Understanding the geography of river systems like the Kosi is crucial for disaster management and public health planning in flood-prone regions.
  • Knowledge of the river's behavior helps in designing infrastructure, planning agricultural cycles, and implementing early warning systems to mitigate the impact of floods.
  • What if? If the Kosi river were to be successfully tamed through extensive embankment and dam projects, its nickname might change, but the risk of catastrophic failure of these structures would become a new, significant concern.
How to Approach the Question
  • First, identify the key terms in the question: 'Sorrow of Bihar' and 'river'.
  • This is a factual recall question based on geographical knowledge.
  • Access your memory or knowledge base regarding the major rivers of India and their specific characteristics or nicknames.
  • Evaluate each option: Ganga, Kosi, Son, and Gandak are all rivers in or near Bihar.
  • Recall that the Kosi River is infamous for its devastating floods and frequent course changes, which has earned it the title 'Sorrow of Bihar'.
  • Confirm that the other rivers, while important, are not associated with this specific nickname.
Concept Tested & Keywords
  • Concept Tested: Indian Geography - River Nicknames
  • Stem keywords: river, sorrow of Bihar
  • Lead-in keywords: Which
  • Negative lead-in flag: false

Question ID

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Practise the full Bihar CHO -2019

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.