π Topic 02 of 6 Β· Chapter 02 Β· Drainage Systems
Indus River System
Origin, tributaries (Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Beas, Sutlej), Indus Waters Treaty 1960 β complete notes for UPSC & PSC exams.
π Indus River β Key Facts
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Origin | Mansarovar Lake (Tibet, China); near Bokhar Chu glacier |
| Total Length | ~3,180 km (one of the longest rivers in Asia) |
| Length in India | ~709 km (flows through Ladakh) |
| Drains into | Arabian Sea (near Karachi, Pakistan) |
| Direction | Flows northwest through Ladakh, then southwest through Pakistan |
| Enters India at | Demchok (Ladakh); flows through Leh district |
| Leaves India at | Attock (Pakistan) |
π Tributaries of the Indus
| Tributary | Origin | Joins Indus at | Key Facts |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jhelum | Verinag spring, Kashmir Valley | Trimmu (Pakistan) | Flows through Dal Lake, Wular Lake; Wular = largest freshwater lake in India |
| Chenab | Bara Lacha La pass (HP) | Panjnad (Pakistan) | Largest tributary of Indus; formed by Chandra + Bhaga rivers |
| Ravi | Kullu Hills (HP) | Chenab (Pakistan) | Flows through Chamba; Lahore (Pakistan) is on its banks |
| Beas | Beas Kund, Rohtang Pass (HP) | Sutlej (Punjab) | Flows entirely within India; Pong dam; Pandoh dam |
| Sutlej | Rakas Lake (Tibet), near Mansarovar | Chenab (Pakistan) | Enters India through Shipki La; Bhakra Nangal dam; longest tributary |
β Five Rivers of Punjab (Panchanada):
Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Beas, Sutlej β all tributaries of the Indus
Memory trick: Just Come Right Before Sunset
“Punjab” = “Land of Five Rivers” (Punj = five, Ab = water)
Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Beas, Sutlej β all tributaries of the Indus
Memory trick: Just Come Right Before Sunset
“Punjab” = “Land of Five Rivers” (Punj = five, Ab = water)
π Indus Waters Treaty (1960)
The Indus Waters Treaty was signed on September 19, 1960 between India (PM Jawaharlal Nehru) and Pakistan (President Ayub Khan), with the World Bank as mediator.
| Country | Rivers Allocated | Average Annual Flow |
|---|---|---|
| India | Ravi, Beas, Sutlej (Eastern rivers) | ~33 million acre-feet |
| Pakistan | Indus, Jhelum, Chenab (Western rivers) | ~135 million acre-feet |
π Key Points about Indus Waters Treaty:
β’ India can use western rivers (Indus, Jhelum, Chenab) for non-consumptive uses (navigation, fishing, limited irrigation)
β’ This treaty has survived three wars between India and Pakistan (1965, 1971, 1999)
β’ India threatened to review the treaty after the 2016 Uri attack
β’ The Permanent Indus Commission meets annually to resolve disputes
β’ India’s Baglihar dam (Chenab) and Kishanganga dam (Jhelum) were disputed by Pakistan
β’ India can use western rivers (Indus, Jhelum, Chenab) for non-consumptive uses (navigation, fishing, limited irrigation)
β’ This treaty has survived three wars between India and Pakistan (1965, 1971, 1999)
β’ India threatened to review the treaty after the 2016 Uri attack
β’ The Permanent Indus Commission meets annually to resolve disputes
β’ India’s Baglihar dam (Chenab) and Kishanganga dam (Jhelum) were disputed by Pakistan