SOLVING KASHMIR 6

RIVERS

                                                  

       The important rivers are :-

(a)        Hunza River.    Fed by the waters of the glaciers of the Karakoram range through its tributaries Khunjerab, Kilik, Chapursan, Shimshal, Hispar rivers and melt streams of Batura, Pasu, Ghulkin, Hasanabad, Minapan and Pisan glaciers this river is the life of the picturesque, Hunza valley. Important places from North to South are Bili, Morkhun Pasu, Ghulkin, Gilmit, Atabad, Karimabad (Baltit/Hunza) Aliabad, Hini, Nilt Halt, Jaglot, Normal and Dainyor where is joins Gilgit river. Because of the greatest available relief near Hunza  River (nearly 6 kilometers elevation change in 10 kilometers horizontal distance), it carries phenomenal amount of load alongwith it denuding the valley at the rate of 3 mm per year, an extremely high rate by world standards. This river is susceptible to blockage by glacial flows, which results in the formation of lakes. It submerges the roads and tracks in its close vicinity.

(b)        Indus River.  The celebrated Indus River springs from North West of the holy lakes of Mansarovar and Rakas on the South-Western slopes of Kailash mountains at an estimated height of 5,180 meters. At Nimu, just 40 kilometers below Leh, the Indus is joined by Zanskar River, a dark and turbulent torrent of equal or perhaps greater size. Dras River joins Indus near Kargil and the confluence of Shyok River with Indus takes place West of Skardu. From Skardu to Rondu and from Rondu to Makponi-Shang  Rong, for about 160 kilometers  the Indus raves from side to side foaming and chaffing with ungovernable fury. The whole length of mountain course of Indus from source to Chilas is about 1,450 kilometers. The river forms a major lifeline of the Ladakh region.

(c )       Shyok River.   Also referred as Kundan River, it is the principal mountain tributary of the Indus and rises in the Karakoram mountains to the Noth-West of Leh. Its upper course is turbulent down a narrow glen, but its middle course is broad and divided into numerous channels. The whole length of Shyok is 640 kilometers and the total fall 3,200 meters. It is often blocked by glaciers that cause severe floods, which are felt even in the Indus.

(d)       Gilgit  River.  This river is one of the principal mountain feeders of the Indus. It has its own origin in Western Karakoram near a place called Teru. From there on its course to the East it is joined by a number of rivulets from the mountains arriving from North as well from the South. From Sher Quila the river takes a South-Easterly course. At Gilgit it is joined by Hunza River from Gilgit and forms into a major river and flows South-East for 80 kilometers to join Indus North of Bunji.

(e)        Nubra River.   It is tributary of the Shyok River and originates from Siachen Glacier in the Karakoram mountains. It flows South-East and joins the Shyok River at Tirit at an altitude of 3,750 meters. Nubra valley is a scenic splendour and the prettiest valley in Ladakh.

(f)      Zanskar River.   The Chilling Chhu or the Zanskar River is formed of two principal branches, the Zanskar and the Sumgal. The united stream below the junction of Cherpa is not fordable after mid-day even in September, as both the current and level of the stream is increased by the melting snow.

(g)        Kishanganga River.  It originates from the Northern slopes of Uttar Machipura hills at an altitude of 4,300 meters. Flowing in the North-Westerly direction, it is joined by Ramban Sind river from South and Bulzil River from the North. Like its North-West Frontier  Province sister the Kunhar, the Kashmiri Kishanganga (also called the Neelam) river is a major tributary of the Jhelum. It then bends in Northerly direction through Gurais Valley to reach Taobat and Tura West passing through Kel where Baral N joins it from North-East. At Seri the river bends South West and passes Shardi and Dudhnia. After a short Westerly course downstream of Dudhnial, it again flows South-West, receiving Nagdara  N near Kenan and Jagran river at Dulur. It finally confluences with the Jhelum river at Domel.

(h)        Jhelum River.  Originating in Kashmir valley from a spring at Verinag, at a height of  2000 meters, the river flows North-West , draining an area of 16,000 sq kilometers through its tributaries in the basin viz Liddar, Sind, Kahmil, Pohru, Vishav, Rambiara, Romushi and Dudganga rivers. The river flows a sluggish meandering course through the valley, passes through the Wular Lake and turns South-West towards Baramulla. At Baramulla  the  river  enters a narrow gorge of the Pir Panjal Range  at  an altitude  of  1,500

meters and turns into a raging torrent. It passes Naushera and Uri before entering POK near Chakothi and turns North-West for next 60 kilometers upto Domel. After the confluence with Kishanganga River, Jhelum turns and runs Southwards. It collects Kunhar River, Mahl River, and passes through Chatar Kolas, Kohala, Kuliari, Azad Pattan , and Holar before joining the Mangla reservoir.   From Mangla, Jhelum enters Pakistan and confluences with Chenab River near Trimmu after traversing a total distance of 720 kilometers. 

(j)         Poonch River.   The Poonch is the third major tributary of the Jhelum. Like the Jhelum itself and the Kishanganga, the Poonch rises in Indian Kashmir and cross the cease-fire line formed by the streams of Mandi and Suran Rivers, which drain area of Poonch district between East of Hajipir Pass and North of Dheri Ki Gali. Immediately down-stream of Poonch, it collects Betar Nala from North, Tatan di Rangur Nala four kilometer further downstream and then gradually runs Southwards near Madarpur. Hajira  Rangar nala  meets it from North –West. It passes East of Mandhol, collects Mendhar River from East and continues meandering Southwards via Hot Spring and Kotli. Nali nala joins it from East just upstream of Kotli and another stream from North-West further downstream.  Finally it collects the joined stream of Khorban and Banban rivers before joining Mangla reservoir  near Rajdhani.  It is considerably shorter and smaller than the Kunhar or the Kishanganga, but located in smaller mountains, the Poonch exceeds them both in scenic beauty. Deep green pools, dramatic cliffs side streams cascading over waterfalls and exotic wildlife all characterise this beautiful river.

(k)        Chenab River.   Chenab is formed of two principal feeders, Chandra and Bagha, from which it derives its name of Chandra-Bagha. The Chandra and Bagha rise in the North and South of Bara Lacha Pass at an elevation of 4,875 meters. Between Tandi and Kishtwar the Chenab receives many snowed torrents of considerable size, of which the largest are the Chukam and the Chattargarh Rivers. From Kishtwar the river sweeps suddenly round to the South West as far as Doda and then West towards Akhnoor. From Bara Lacha Pass to Akhnoor the length of Chenab is 600 kilometers. From Akhnoor the river descends to the plains and flows into Pakistan.  

(l)         Ravi River.   Ravi is formed by three principal rivers, the Ravi proper, the Holy Budhal  and  the  Nai  which merge in the district  of Chamba.  Just below  Chamba the Ravi

receives a considerable feeder from the North. This is the Sawa or the Sar Nala, which rises in the Saj-Jots in the Lahul ranges. On entering the plains near Madhopur, Ravi takes a South-Westerly course and flows along the Indo-Pak border and then gradually enters Pakistan.

(m)       Tawi River.  Tawi is a typical foothill river. It flows out from Sewajidhar near Bhadrawah. Flowing beside the Ramnagar hills it enters Chenani area. In its course, it passes through Udhampur, flows around the city of Jammu and enters Pakistan.