River System of Jammu and Kashmir
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Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) is blessed with a stunning network of rivers flowing from the mighty Himalayas. These rivers power the region’s agriculture, hydropower, and tourism. Let’s dive into the key rivers—Jhelum, Chenab, Indus, Ravi, and Tawi—presented in an engaging and exam-ready format!
🌟 Major Rivers at a Glance
River | Ancient Name | Origin | Length in J&K | Key Significance |
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Jhelum | Vitasta | Verinag Spring (Anantnag) | ~203 km | Lifeline of Kashmir, Wular Lake |
Chenab | Asikni | Bara Lacha Pass (HP) | ~400 km | Longest in J&K, Hydropower Hub |
Indus | - | Mansarovar Lake (Tibet) | ~1,500 km | Longest in subcontinent |
Ravi | Iravati | Bara Banghal (HP) | ~150 km | Ranjit Sagar Dam |
Tawi | Suryaputri | Kali Kundi Glacier (Doda) | ~150 km | Flows through Jammu city |
🌊 River Details: Deep Dive
1. Jhelum River 🌟
- Origin: Verinag Spring, Anantnag (Kashmir)
- Course:
- Flows through Srinagar → Wular Lake → Baramulla → Uri → Pakistan
- Tributaries:
- Vishaw, Lidder, Sindh, Kishanganga (Neelum), Pohru, Dudhganga
- Fun Facts:
- Known as the "Lifeline of Kashmir"
- Navigable from Khanabal to Baramulla
- Hydropower: Uri-I, Kishanganga, Ganderbal
- Famous for Srinagar’s nine historic bridges
Quick Chart:
Feature | Details |
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Length in J&K | ~203 km |
Major Lake | Wular (Largest in India) |
Hydropower Projects | Uri-I, Lower Jhelum, Kishanganga |
2. Chenab River ⚡
- Origin: Bara Lacha Pass (Himachal Pradesh)
- Course:
- Enters J&K at Paddar → Kishtwar → Doda → Ramban → Akhnoor → Pakistan
- Tributaries:
- Marusudar, Tawi, Bhaga, Chandra
- Highlights:
- Longest river in J&K (~400 km in region)
- Nicknamed "Chandrabhaga" (Chandra + Bhaga)
- Hydropower giants: Salal, Baglihar, Dul Hasti
Quick Chart:
Feature | Details |
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Total Length | ~960 km |
Key Projects | Baglihar, Salal, Ratle |
Joins | Indus in Pakistan |
3. Indus River 🏔️
- Origin: Mansarovar Lake, Tibet
- Course:
- Enters Ladakh near Demchok → Leh → Nanga Parbat → Pakistan
- Tributaries:
- Zanskar, Shyok, Nubra, Dras, Suru
- Why It’s Special:
- Longest river in the subcontinent (~3,180 km)
- Perfect for river rafting
- Governed by Indus Water Treaty (1960)
Quick Chart:
Feature | Details |
---|
Length in J&K | ~1,500 km |
Famous For | Rugged course, rafting |
Key Tributary | Zanskar |
4. Ravi River 🌲
- Origin: Bara Banghal, Himachal Pradesh
- Course:
- Enters J&K near Basohli → Indo-Pak border → Punjab → Pakistan
- Tributaries:
- Key Highlights:
- Powers Ranjit Sagar Dam (Thein)
- Part of Indus Basin
Quick Chart:
Feature | Details |
---|
Length in J&K | ~150 km |
Major Project | Ranjit Sagar Dam |
Joins | Chenab in Pakistan |
5. Tawi River 🌄
- Origin: Kali Kundi Glacier, Bhaderwah (Doda)
- Course:
- Chenani → Udhampur → Jammu city → Joins Chenab near Akhnoor
- Why It Matters:
- Main river of Jammu city
- Chenani Hydropower Project (23 MW)
Quick Chart:
Feature | Details |
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Length | ~150 km |
Significance | Jammu’s lifeline |
Joins | Chenab |
🌍 Other Notable Rivers
River | Origin | Joins | Highlight |
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Zanskar | Drang Drung Glacier | Indus (Nimmu) | Famous for rafting |
Shyok | Rimo Glacier | Indus (Skardu) | Flows through northern Ladakh |
Kishanganga | Gurez Valley | Jhelum | Hydropower project |
Dras | Machoi Glacier | Suru | Near Zoji La Pass |
🎯 Exam Booster: Must-Know Facts
- Indus Water Treaty (1960):
- India controls: Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi (limited use)
- Pakistan controls: Indus
- Hydropower Hotspots: Chenab (Baglihar, Salal), Jhelum (Uri, Kishanganga)
- Wular Lake: Fed by Jhelum; India’s largest freshwater lake
- MCQ Traps: Ancient names (Vitasta, Asikni), origins, and projects
🌟 Visual Recap: River Lengths in J&K
River | Length in J&K (Approx.) |
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Indus | 1,500 km |
Chenab | 400 km |
Jhelum | 203 km |
Ravi | 150 km |
Tawi | 150 km |
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