Geography of J&K — Drainage System

Figure 1: Drainage System of Jammu & Kashmir — frequently tested in JKSSB and UPSC examinations.

1. Introduction

• Drainage System: Patterns formed by streams, rivers, and lakes in a particular drainage basin.
• Governed by topography, rock structure, and gradient of the land.
• Drainage Basin: Area drained by a single river system.
• Water Divide: Elevated area separating two drainage basins.
• There are around 1230 water bodies in Jammu & Kashmir.

KNOWLEDGE NUGGET

• Dendritic Pattern: Branches of a tree; follows slope of terrain
• Trellis Pattern: Right angles; hard and soft rocks parallel
• Rectangular Pattern: Strongly jointed rocky terrain
• Radial Pattern: Flows in different directions from a central peak

2. River System in Jammu Region

2.1 Tawi River

• Also called "Surya Putri" in ancient text.
• Major left bank tributary of Chenab River.
• Origin: Kaplas Kund (Kailash Kund) of Seojdhar in Bhaderwah (Doda district).
• Joins Chenab River in Pakistan.
• Length: 141 km.
• Prominent streams: Raji, stream from Gou Karan, stream from Dudar.
• Chennani Hydroelectric Power Project is constructed on River Tawi.
• J&K government is constructing an artificial lake on River Tawi at Bhagwati Nagar in Jammu district.

2.2 Chenab River (Ashkini / Acesines)

• Ancient name: Ashkini (Sanskrit) or Iskmati; Greek name: Acesines.
• Origin: Bara Lacha Pass near Lahol-Spiti in Himachal Pradesh (4,900 m).
• Chandra and Bhaga rivers meet to form River Chandrabhaga at Tandi.
• Becomes Chenab when it joins River Marau at Bhandarkoot in J&K.
• Length: 960 km.
• Covered Districts: Kishtwar, Doda, Ramban, Udhampur, Jammu, Rajouri.
• Opens out into plains near Akhnoor.
• Waters allocated to Pakistan under Indus Waters Treaty, 1960.

MAJOR HYDROELECTRIC PROJECTS ON CHENAB

• Baglihar (900 MW, Ramban)
• Dulhasti (390 MW, Kishtwar)
• Salal (690 MW, Reasi)
• Kiru, Kwar, Pakal Dul — under construction (Kishtwar)

IMPORTANT TRIBUTARIES OF CHENAB

• Marusudar River: Largest right bank tributary; originates from Nunkun glacier (Warwan Valley); joins Chenab at Bhandarkoot; Pakal Dul (1000 MW) and Bursar (800 MW) projects.
• Miyar Nalla: Miyar River from Kang la glacier; flows into Chenab opposite Udaipur; known as "valley of flowers".
• Bhut Nallah: Formed near Matsel (Machail); joins Chenab downstream of Gulabgarh.
• Ans River: Joins Chenab upstream of Salal H.E. project.
• Niru River: Originates near Bhaderwah; joins Chenab on left bank near Doda.
• Tawi River: Major left bank tributary.

2.3 Ravi River (Iravati / Purushni / Hydraotes)

• Ancient name: Iravati / Purushni (Sanskrit); Greek name: Hydraotes.
• Origin: Bara Bhangal (near Rohtang Pass in Kullu hills), Himachal Pradesh.
• Smallest of the Five Punjab Rivers.
• Length: 720 km.
• Tributaries: Budhil, Tundahan Beljedi, Saho, Siul (right bank); Chirchind Nala (left bank).
• Ujh River: Tributary of Ravi flowing through Kathua district.
• Shahpur Kandi Dam is located on the Ravi River.
• Drains into Arabian Sea through Indus River.

2.4 Ujh River

• Major tributary of Ravi River.
• Origin: Kailash Mountains (Seojdhar, middle Himalayan ranges) at 14,100 ft.
• Main tributaries: Naaz and Bhinni Nallahs of Billawar.
• Ujh Multipurpose Project — national project (2008) in Kathua District; 116m dam, 186 MW, irrigates 31,380 hectares.

2.5 Devika River

• Tributary of Basanter River (also tributary of Ujh River).
• Known as Gupt Ganga (appears and disappears).
• Origin: Near Sudhmahadev (Chenani).
• Merges with Surya Putri Tawi at Venisung.
• Udhampur is known as 'Devaknagri'.
• Revered as elder sister of holy river Ganga.
• Mentioned in Nilmat Purana (7th century).

RIVER DEVIKA PROJECT

• Under National River Conservation Plan (NRCP) — started in 2019.
• North India's first river rejuvenation project.
• Cost: Over ₹190 crore.
• Scheduled completion: June 2022.

2.6 Basanter River

• Tributary of River Ravi.
• Famous for the Battle of Basanter (India vs Pakistan, 1971).
• Origin: Near Kharai Dhar at 1300 m above MSL.
• Flows through Samba town.

2.7 Sewa River

• Rises from Kali Kundi in Basohli.
• Length: 125 km in Kathua district.
• Sewa Hydel Project is being constructed on this river.

3. River System in Kashmir Region

3.1 Jhelum River (Vitasta / Hydaspes / Vyeth)

• Ancient name: Vitasta (Sanskrit); Greek name: Hydaspes; Kashmiri: Vyeth.
• Origin: Verinag, at the feet of Panjal Mountains in Anantnag district.
• Length: 813 km (505 miles).
• Longest among the five rivers of Punjab.
• Barrages/Dams: Rasul Barrage, Mangla Dam, Trimmu Barrage.
• Jhelum Hydel Power: 105 MW; Uri Hydel Power Project: 480 MW.
• Srinagar town is situated on either side of the Jhelum.
• Flood Spill Channel: Constructed in 1904 to relieve strain on Jhelum in Srinagar.

TRIBUTARIES OF JHELUM

• Vishav/Veshaw/Veshu: Fed by Kousarnag Lake; joins Jhelum below Bijbihara; irrigates Kulgam Tehsil.
• Romushi: Flows from Kharmarg to Pakharpur; joins Jhelum at 75° East longitude.
• Dudhganga: Flows from Ludurmarg; rises near Tata Kuti Mountain; flows through Batmalu Swamp near Srinagar.
• Sukhang: Rises near Gulmarg; irrigates large area.
• Lidder River: Largest tributary; flows from Sheshnag Lake to Pahalgam; 'Angler's Paradise'; ancient name Lambodhari; Kolahoi and Sheshnag streamlets join at Pahalgam; tributaries: Aru, Chandanwari.
• Ferozpore Nallah: In western mountains of Baramulla-Gulmarg area.
• Sind Nullah/Sind River: Two sources — near Zozila and Dachinpara; merges with Jhelum at Shadipur; 96 km length; Sonamarg and Ganderbal on its banks; Sind Valley Hydroelectric Power Project.

4. River System in Union Territory of Ladakh

4.1 Indus River (Singi Khamban — The Lion's Mouth / Sindhu)

• Origin: Mansarovar Lake in Tibet.
• Trans-Himalayan river.
• Length: 3,180 km (1,980 miles); 709 km lies in India.
• Deepest gorge: 5,180 m at Gilgit.
• About a third of Indus basin is in India (J&K, Himachal, Punjab).
• Ends in Arabian Sea south of Karachi.
• India got her name from Indus.
• Six rivers of Indus basin: Originate in Tibet, flow across Himalayas.

TRIBUTARIES OF INDUS

• Zanskar, Nubra, Shyok, Gilgit — join Indus in Kashmir region.
• Sutlej, Beas, Ravi, Chenab, Jhelum — form Panchnad to join Indus near Mithankot (Pakistan).
• Other tributaries: Astor, Nagar, Drass, Balram, Ghizar, Gar, Gumal, Gilgit, Kurram, Kabul, Shigar, Panjnad, Sohan, Shyok, Zanskar, Tanubal.

4.2 Other Rivers of Ladakh

MARKHA RIVER

• Branch of Zanskar River.
• Famous hiking trail in Ladakh.

DRASS RIVER

• Branch of Suru River.
• Origin: Machoi glacier (near Zozila Pass).
• Mushkoo and Gamru streams join before merging with River Shingo.

DODA RIVER / STOD RIVER

• Origin: Drang Drung glacier.
• Length: 79 km.
• Forms the Stod Valley in Zanskar.

SURU RIVER

• Creates northern and western fringes of Zanskar Range.
• Origin: Zanskar area — Kreha stream and melting water of Shafat glacier merge.

SHINGO RIVER

• Branch of Suru River.
• Merges with Indus.

NUBRA RIVER

• Branch of Shyok River.
• Origin: Siachen glacier.
• Flows through Nubra area in Ladakh.
• Merges with Shyok at Lughzheum.

NEELUM RIVER / KISHANGANGA RIVER

• Origin: Drass (Kargil).
• Flows through Gurez, Keran, Karnah.
• Joins Jhelum at Doemel near Muzaffarabad.
• Kishan Ganga Hydro-electric Project is situated on this river.

SHYOK RIVER

• Major branch of Indus River.
• Origin: Rimo glacier.
• Often called "River of Death".
• Tributaries: Galwan, Chang Chen Mo, Saltoro, Nubra.

TSARAP RIVER

• Also known as Tsarap Chu.
• Major river in Zanskar area of Ladakh.

YAPOLA RIVER (WANLA RIVER)

• Also named Wanla River.
• Pours into Indus at Lamayuru.

ZANSKAR RIVER

• Tributary of Indus River.
• Two principal branches: Doda River; Kargyag River + Tsarap River.
• Ideal for river rafting.

5. JKSSB Previous Year Questions

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS

Q1. The Tawi River is also known as:

• A) Surya Putri
• B) Gupt Ganga
• C) Angler's Paradise
• D) Queen of Fragrance

Q2. The Chenab River originates from:

• A) Mansarovar Lake
• B) Bara Lacha Pass (Lahol-Spiti)
• C) Verinag
• D) Kailash Mountains

Q3. The ancient name of Jhelum River is:

• A) Vitasta
• B) Ashkini
• C) Iravati
• D) Sindhu

Q4. The Lidder River is also known as:

• A) River of Death
• B) Angler's Paradise
• C) Gupt Ganga
• D) Surya Putri

Q5. The Indus River originates from:

• A) Mansarovar Lake
• B) Verinag
• C) Bara Lacha Pass
• D) Kailash Mountains

Q6. The Neelum River is also known as:

• A) Shyok River
• B) Kishanganga River
• C) Zanskar River
• D) Nubra River

Q7. The Shyok River is often called:

• A) Angler's Paradise
• B) River of Death
• C) Lion's Mouth
• D) Surya Putri

Q8. The Devika River is also known as:

• A) Surya Putri
• B) Gupt Ganga
• C) Angler's Paradise
• D) Queen of Fragrance

Q9. The Nubra River originates from:

• A) Rimo glacier
• B) Siachen glacier
• C) Drang Drung glacier
• D) Machoi glacier

Q10. The Chenab River is allocated to which country under the Indus Waters Treaty, 1960?

• A) India
• B) Pakistan
• C) Bangladesh
• D) Nepal

Q11. The Salal Hydroelectric Project is located on which river?

• A) Jhelum
• B) Chenab
• C) Tawi
• D) Ravi

Q12. The Sind River merges with Jhelum at:

• A) Verinag
• B) Shadipur
• C) Bhandarkoot
• D) Marala

Q13. The Ujh River is a tributary of:

• A) Chenab
• B) Ravi
• C) Jhelum
• D) Tawi

Q14. The Lidder River flows from which lake?

• A) Wular Lake
• B) Sheshnag Lake
• C) Dal Lake
• D) Mansar Lake

Q15. The Doda River originates from:

• A) Siachen glacier
• B) Rimo glacier
• C) Drang Drung glacier
• D) Machoi glacier

6. Summary: Drainage System at a Glance

River	Ancient Name	Origin	Key Feature
Tawi	Surya Putri	Kaplas Kund, Bhaderwah	141 km; Chennani HEP
Chenab	Ashkini	Bara Lacha Pass	960 km; Baglihar, Dulhasti, Salal
Ravi	Iravati	Bara Bhangal, Kullu	720 km; Shahpur Kandi Dam
Jhelum	Vitasta	Verinag	813 km; Lidder (Angler's Paradise)
Indus	Sindhu	Mansarovar Lake	3,180 km; 709 km in India
Neelum	Kishanganga	Drass, Kargil	Joins Jhelum at Doemel
Devika	Gupt Ganga	Sudhmahadev	River Devika Project (NRCP)

Key Takeaways for JKSSB & UPSC

• Tawi: Surya Putri; 141 km; Chennani HEP
• Chenab: Ashkini; 960 km; Baglihar, Dulhasti, Salal
• Ravi: Iravati; 720 km; Shahpur Kandi Dam
• Jhelum: Vitasta; 813 km; Lidder (Angler's Paradise)
• Indus: Sindhu; 3,180 km; Mansarovar Lake
• Neelum: Kishanganga; Drass; joins Jhelum at Doemel
• Devika: Gupt Ganga; NRCP project
• Shyok: River of Death; Rimo glacier
• Nubra: Siachen glacier
• Marusudar: Largest right bank tributary of Chenab
• Indus Waters Treaty, 1960: Chenab waters to Pakistan
• Flood Spill Channel: Constructed 1904 to save Srinagar

High-Yield Interactive UPSC & JKSSB Quiz (Drainage System of J&K)

Q1. The Tawi River is also known as:

Correct Answer: B. The Tawi River is also called "Surya Putri" in ancient text. It is a major left bank tributary of the Chenab River.

Q2. The Chenab River originates from:

Correct Answer: B. The Chenab River originates from the Bara Lacha Pass near Lahol-Spiti in Himachal Pradesh at an altitude of 4,900 m.

Q3. The ancient name of Jhelum River is:

Correct Answer: B. The ancient name of Jhelum River is Vitasta (Sanskrit). Its Greek name is Hydaspes and Kashmiri name is Vyeth.

Q4. The Lidder River is also known as:

Correct Answer: B. The Lidder River is known as "Angler's Paradise" and is one of the perfect spots on earth for angling and trout fishing activities.

Q5. The Neelum River is also known as:

Correct Answer: B. The Neelum River is also known as the Kishanganga River. It originates in Drass (Kargil) and joins the Jhelum at Doemel near Muzaffarabad.

Q6. The Shyok River is often called:

Correct Answer: B. The Shyok River is often called "River of Death". It originates from the Rimo glacier and is a major branch of the Indus River.

Q7. The Nubra River originates from:

Correct Answer: B. The Nubra River originates from the Siachen glacier. It is a branch of the Shyok River and flows through the Nubra area in Ladakh.

Q8. The Devika River is also known as:

Correct Answer: B. Devika River is also known as Gupt Ganga as it appears and disappears at many places. It is mentioned in the Nilmat Purana.

Q9. The Salal Hydroelectric Project is located on which river?

Correct Answer: B. The Salal Hydroelectric Project (690 MW) is located on the Chenab River in Reasi district.

Q10. The Indus River originates from:

Correct Answer: B. The Indus River originates from the Mansarovar Lake in Tibet. It is a Trans-Himalayan river with a total length of 3,180 km.