There is no formation of deltas by rivers of the Western Ghats. Why? (UPSC 2013)

The rivers of the Western Ghats rarely form deltas because they are short, swift and carry little sediment. They descend steeply from a mountain chain close to the coast and enter the Arabian Sea with high energy.

• Steep slope and short course: rapid flow prevents deposition.
• Hard rock terrain: crystalline rocks yield little fine alluvium.
• Submerged, narrow coast: estuaries form instead of wide mouths.
• Strong marine action: waves, tides and currents remove sediments.

Thus, instead of building deltaic plains, these rivers mainly create estuaries, backwaters and drowned valleys along the west coast.