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.
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