Vynthala lake is an example of [[1]].

Explanation:

Definition of Oxbow Lake: A U-shaped body of water formed when a wide meander from a river is cut off, creating a free-standing lake.

Formation Process:

1. Meander Development: Rivers flowing through flat plains develop large bends called meanders due to erosion and deposition.
2. Neck Narrowing: Continuous erosion on the outer banks and deposition on the inner banks cause the neck of the meander to become increasingly narrow.
3. Cutoff Event: Eventually, the river cuts through the narrow neck during events like flooding, creating a new, straighter river channel.
4. Oxbow Lake Formation: The abandoned meander loop remains as a separate, curved water body known as an oxbow lake.

Vynthala Lake Specifics:

• Location: Vynthala, near Mala, Thrissur District, Kerala, India.
• Significance: Recognized as the only naturally formed oxbow lake in South India.
• Origin: Formed from a cutoff of the Chalakudy River, which flows nearby.
• Current Status: Efforts are underway to declare Vynthala Lake a Biodiversity Heritage Site due to its ecological importance.