River System of Himachal Pradesh
Himachal Pradesh, known as the land of five rivers, is a vital part of both the Indus River System and the Ganga River System, contributing water to both the Indus and Ganga basins. The rivers of Himachal Pradesh specifically supply water to the Indus and Ganga river basins.
The Indus River System:
• Among the largest river basins globally, the Indus River System includes the Indus, the largest river in this network.
• Tributaries of the Indus system are the Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Beas, and Satluj.
• The drainage valley of the Indus system spans Jammu and Kashmir and a significant part of Himachal Pradesh.
The Ganga River System:
• Covering well-nigh one-third of the Western Himalaya, the Ganga River System’s valley extends from the eastern squatter of the Shimla ridge in Himachal Pradesh to the southwestern slopes of the Kanchanjunga massif on the Nepal-Sikkim border.
• The Yamuna, Ganga’s longest tributary, flows through Himachal Pradesh.
Rivers of Himachal Pradesh:
1. The Satluj:
Origin: Begins at the ‘Rakas Lake’ near ‘MANASAROVER LAKE’ in Tibet, inward India at Shipki La in Kinnaur district.
Course: Flows through Kinnaur, Shimla, Kullu, Solan, Mandi, and Bilaspur districts.
Exit: Leaves Himachal Pradesh, inward the plains of Punjab at ‘Bhakhra.’
Prominent Settlements: Rampur, Kalpa, Suni, Bilaspur, Namgia, and Tattapani.
Tributaries of Satluj:
a) Spiti River: Originates from Kunzum range, flows through Spiti valley, meeting Satluj at ‘Namgia.’
b) Baspa River: Originates from the Baspa hills in Kinnaur, joins Satluj near Karcham.
c) Nogli Khad: Joins Satluj unelevated Rampur Bhushahr, and Satluj enters Mandi district near Firnu village.
2. The Beas:
Origin: Begins at Beas Kund near Rohtang Pass (old name: Bhrigu Tung).
Course: Flows through Kullu, Mandi, Kangra, and Hamirpur districts.
Prominent Settlements: Manali, Mandi, Kullu, Pandoh, Naggar, Sujanpur, Dehra-Gopipur, Bajaura.
Tributaries of Beas:
a) Parbati River: Originates upstream of Manikaran in Kullu, joins Beas at Shamshi.
b) Banganga: Arises from the southern slopes of the Dhauladhar range, joining Beas in the Kangra valley.
c) Others: Chakki, Sainj, Suketi, Tirthan, Uhl, and more.
3. The Chenab:
Origin: Worked by the Chandra and Bhaga streams at Tandi.
Course: Flows through Lahaul-Spiti, Chamba.
Exit: Leaves Himachal Pradesh, inward the plains of Kashmir at ‘Sansari Nala.’
Prominent Settlements: Tandi, Udaipur.
Tributaries of Chenab:
a) Chandra River: Originates from Chandra Tal lake in Lahaul Spiti.
b) Bhaga River: Originates from Suraj Tal lake in Lahaul-Spiti.
c) Others: Miyar Nullah, Saicher Nullah, Jammu Tavi, Munawarwali.
4. The Ravi:
Origin: Arises from Bara Banghal as a joint stream worked by the glacier-fed ‘Bhadal’ and ‘Tant Gari.’
Course: Flows through Kangra and Chamba districts.
Exit: Leaves Himachal Pradesh, inward Kashmir at ‘Kheri.’
Prominent Settlements: Chamba, Bharmaur, Madhopur.
Tributaries of Ravi:
Bhadal river, Siul river, Tant gari, and Baira are essential tributaries.
5. The Yamuna:
Origin: Originates from the ‘Yamunotri’ glacier on Bunderpunch range in Uttarakhand, inward Himachal at ‘Khadar majri’ in Sirmaur district.
Course: Flows only through Sirmour district.
Exit: Leaves Himachal Pradesh near ‘Tajewala,’ inward Haryana.
Prominent Settlement: Poanta Sahib.
Tributaries of Yamuna:
a) Giri River: Arises from ‘Kupar peak’ whilom Jubbal town in Shimla district, dividing Sirmour district into Cis-Giri and Trans-Giri regions, joining Yamuna upstream of Poanta unelevated Mokkampur.
Jalal river: Arises from ‘Dharthi ranges’ neighboring Pachhad of Sirmour, joining Giri at Dadhau.
b) Tons: Worked by Rupin and Supin rivers, joins Yamuna at Kalsi. Pabbar is a tributary of Tons.
Pabbar: Originates from the ‘CHANDERNAHAN’ glacier in Rohru zone of Shimla district, joining Tons at the wiring of ‘Chakarata’ massif near the verge of U.P and H.P. Patsari and Andhra are tributaries of Pabbar.
Andhra: Arises from a small glacier near Chirgaon in Shimla district, merging with Pabbar at Chirgaon.
Patsari: Originates from lower Himalayan hills near Kharapathar in Shimla
BRIEF SUMMARY
Himachal Pradesh: A Water Source for Indus and Ganga River Systems
Himachal Pradesh, the “Land of Five Rivers,” plays a crucial role in both the Indus and Ganga River Systems.
• Indus River System:
Encompassing vast areas, it includes major rivers like the Indus, Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Beas, and Satluj. Himachal Pradesh contributes significantly to the drainage valley of the Indus system.
• Ganga River System:
The Western Himalayan region, tent well-nigh one-third of it, is vital for the Ganga River System. The Yamuna, Ganga’s longest tributary, flows through Himachal Pradesh.
Rivers of Himachal Pradesh:
• Satluj: Originates from Tibet and flows through Kinnaur, Shimla, Kullu, Solan, Mandi, and Bilaspur districts. Major tributaries: Spiti, Baspa, and Nogli Khad.
• Beas: Begins at Beas Kund near Rohtang Pass and flows through Kullu, Mandi, Kangra, and Hamirpur districts. Notable tributaries: Parbati, Banganga, Chakki, Sainj, Suketi, Tirthan, Uhl, and more.
• Chenab: Originates from the Chandra and Bhaga streams at Tandi, flows through Lahaul-Spiti, Chamba.
Essential tributaries: Chandra, Bhaga, Miyar Nullah, Saicher Nullah, Jammu Tavi, Munawarwali.
• Ravi: Arises from Bara Banghal and flows through Kangra and Chamba districts. Important tributaries: Bhadal river, Siul river, Tant gari, and Baira.
• Yamuna:
Originates from the Yamunotri glacier in Uttarakhand, enters Himachal Pradesh at ‘Khadar majri’ in Sirmaur district. Key tributaries: Giri, Jalal, Tons, Pabbar, Andhra, Patsari.
These rivers are crucial for the water supply to both the Indus and Ganga basins, making Himachal Pradesh a vital water source for Northern India.