The Indus River System, originating from the Himalayas, stands as one of the world’s largest river basins. Referred to as “Sindhu” in Sanskrit, the Indus River is at the core of this system, alternatively known as the Sindhu River System. This intricate network of rivers contributes to the exceptional fertility of the Indian subcontinent, a region where numerous river systems predate the establishment of civilizations.
An ancient and notable civilization, the Indus Valley Civilization, owes its name and existence to the Indus River System. The very nomenclature “Indus River System” finds its roots in the prominent role played by the Indus River, also dubbed “Sindhu” in Sanskrit, with the Greek term “Sinthos” also employed to denote the same river.
Comprising the primary tributaries of the Indus River, the Indus River System encompasses the Indus itself, along with the Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Beas, and Satluj rivers. These interconnected waterways have historically molded the landscape and cultures of the region, and they continue to be integral to its vitality.
The Indus River System and its tributaries can be divided into two main parts: the Western Rivers and the Eastern Rivers.
Western Rivers:
INDUS RIVER:
- India derives its name from the Indus River.
- The birthplace of the “Indus Valley Civilization.”
- Originates from the glaciers of the Kailas Range in Tibet, near Lake Manasarovar.
- Flows northwestward until the Nanga Parbhat Range.
- Stretches about 2,900 km in length.
- Encompasses a drainage area of roughly 1,165,000 square km, with over half of it in Pakistan’s semiarid plains.
- Confluences with the Dhar River near the Indo-China border.
- Courses through Ladakh, Baltistan, and Gilgit upon entering Jammu and Kashmir.
- In this region, it traverses between the Ladakh and Zanskar Ranges.
- Exhibits a gentle gradient of around 30 cm per km in J&K.
- Flows at an average elevation of 4,000 m above sea level in JK.
- Merges with the Zaskar River at Leh.
- Joins with the Shyok at an elevation of approximately 2,700 m near Skardu.
- Various Himalayan tributaries include Gilgit, Gartang, Dras, Shiger, and Hunza.
- Pierces through the Himalayas via a 5181 m deep gorge near Attock, forming a syntaxial bend.
- Kabul River from Afghanistan joins Indus near Attock.
- Passes through the Potwar plateau and crosses the Salt Range.
- Receives important tributaries such as Kurram, Toch, and Zhob-Gomal below Attock.
- Collects the waters of the Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Beas, and Satluj from Panjnad, just above Mithankot.
- Empties into the Arabian Sea south of Karachi, creating a vast delta.
JHELUM RIVER:
- Originates from a spring at Verinag in the southeastern part of the Kashmir Valley.
- Flows northwards into Wular Lake, then changes direction southwards.
- Forms a narrow gorge through Pir Panjal Range below Baramula.
- Takes a sharp hairpin bend southward at Muzaffarabad.
- Acts as the India-Pakistan boundary for 170 km, emerging at the Potwar Plateau near Mirpur.
- Crosses Salt Range spurs and reaches plains near the city of Jhelum.
- Conjoins with the Chenab at Trimmu.
- Navigable for around 160 km of its 724 km length.
CHENAB RIVER:
- Originates near the Bara Lacha Pass in the Zaskar Range’s Lahul-Spiti section.
- Fed by Chandra and Bhaga streams on opposite sides of the pass.
- Flows northwestward through Pangi Valley parallel to Pir Panjal range.
- Carves a deep gorge near Kistwar.
- Enters a plain area near Akhnur in Jammu and Kashmir.
- Proceeds through Pakistani Punjab plains to join the Satluj at Panchnad after receiving Jhelum and Ravi waters.
Eastern Rivers:
RAVI RIVER:
- Springs from Kullu hills near Rohtang Pass in Himachal Pradesh.
- Drains between Pir Panjal and Dhaola Dhar ranges.
- Changes direction southwesterly after crossing Chamba.
- Cuts a deep gorge in the Dhaola Dhar range.
- Enters Punjab Plains near Madhopur and enters Pakistan below Amritsar.
- Joins the Chenab above Rangpur in Pakistani Punjab.
BEAS RIVER:
- Originates near Rohtang Pass, close to Ravi’s source in Pir Panjal Range.
- Heads southwest and meets the Satluj River at Harike in Punjab.
- Despite its small length (460 km), it remains entirely within Indian territory.
SATLUJ RIVER:
- Arises from Manasarovar-Rakas Lakes in western Tibet.
- Takes a northwesterly course similar to the Indus, reaching Shipki La on the Tibet-Himachal Pradesh boundary.
- Creates gorges as it pierces the Great Himalayas and other ranges.
- Cuts Bhakra dam gorge in Naina Devi Dhar before entering Punjab plain.
- Joins the Beas at Harike after entering the plain at Rupnagar (Ropar).
- Forms India-Pakistan boundary from Ferozepur to Fazilka.
- Collects drainage of Ravi, Chenab, and Jhelum rivers, finally joining Indus near Mithankot.
- Spans 1,450 km in total, with 1,050 km in Indian territory.
Some important minor rivers of the Indus River System
Shyok River:
- Emerging from the Karakoram Range, it courses through the Northern Ladakh region in J&K.
- Stretches about 550 km in length.
- Functions as a tributary of the Indus River, originating from the Rimo Glacier.
- Confluence with the Nubra River causes widening.
- Forms a V-shaped bend around the southeastern border of the Karakoram ranges.
Nubra River:
- Principal tributary of the Shyok River.
- Originates from Nubra Glacier, situated to the east of Saltoro Kangri Peak within a depression.
- Flows southeastward, eventually joining the Shyok River downstream of Shyok Valley, near the base of the Ladakh range.
- Nubra Valley, formed by the Nubra River, lies at an elevation of 3048m.
- Scarce vegetation and human habitation due to high altitude and limited rainfall in its catchment area.
Gilgit River:
- A significant right-bank tributary of the Indus River in Ladakh, J&K.
- Emerges from a glacier near the extreme northwestern border of the Himalayas.
- The catchment area throughout the Gilgit River’s course is barren and desolate.
- Bunji stands as a primary human settlement along the river’s course.
- Ghizar and Hunza constitute the major right and left bank tributaries respectively.
Kishanganga River:
- Originates from Drass in Kargil district of J&K.
- Neelam River, also known as the Kishanganga River, enters Pakistan from India along the Line of Control, proceeding westward to meet the Jhelum River.
- The name “Neelam” might stem from the frigid nature of its waters or the presence of the precious gem “ruby (Neelam)” in the region.
- Renowned for its ice-cold water and the presence of trout fish.
Indus Waters Treaty of 1960
The Indus Waters Treaty of 1960 is an agreement between India and Pakistan concerning the sharing of water resources from the Indus River and its tributaries. The treaty was brokered by the World Bank to address water-related disputes between the two countries. The Indus River system is crucial for both India and Pakistan as it supports their agricultural, industrial, and domestic water needs.
Key provisions of the Indus Waters Treaty:
- Division of Rivers: The treaty divides the six main rivers of the Indus system into two categories: the Eastern Rivers and the Western Rivers.
- Eastern Rivers (Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej): These rivers are allocated to India’s unrestricted use for irrigation, power generation, and other purposes.
- Western Rivers (Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab): These rivers are allocated to Pakistan with limited usage rights granted to India for specified purposes, including non-consumptive uses like irrigation and power generation.
- Water Allocation: The treaty establishes specific allocations of water from the Western Rivers for various uses in Pakistan, including agriculture, domestic consumption, and hydropower generation.
- Permanent Indus Commission: The treaty mandates the establishment of the Permanent Indus Commission (PIC), composed of representatives from both countries. The PIC serves as a mechanism for resolving disputes and sharing data related to the Indus River system.
- Data Exchange: Both countries are required to exchange hydrological data and information about planned water projects that might affect the other party’s water use.
- Dispute Resolution: The treaty includes provisions for resolving disputes through bilateral negotiations or, if required, by referring the matter to a neutral expert or a court of arbitration.
- Future Projects: The treaty acknowledges that both India and Pakistan have the right to build water projects on their allotted rivers. However, they must inform each other about such projects to avoid potential conflicts
The Indus Waters Treaty has survived despite periods of political tension between India and Pakistan. It has provided a framework for managing water resources in the Indus River system and has contributed to preventing major conflicts over water. The World Bank plays a supervisory role in ensuring that both parties adhere to the terms of the treaty.
The Indus River system is one of the major river systems in South Asia and holds historical, cultural, and geographical significance. It originates in the Tibetan Plateau and flows through India, China, and Pakistan before emptying into the Arabian Sea. The Indus River and its tributaries have played a crucial role in shaping the civilizations and cultures of the Indian subcontinent.
FAQ
Why is the Indus River system important?
The breadbasket of Sindh and Punjab provinces, which produce the majority of the country’s agricultural output, rely heavily on the Indus for their water needs. It also sustains a number of heavy industries and is Pakistan’s primary source of drinkable water.
What are the major tributaries of the Indus River system?
Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Beas, and Satluj rivers make up the bulk of the Indus River system.
