Drainage System Overview
Almost all rivers of J&K belong to the Indus river system. They flow either into the Indus directly (Ladakh) or into the Jhelum, Chenab and Ravi, which join the Indus in Pakistan.
The two drainage basins
| Basin | Rivers |
|---|---|
| Indus basin (Ladakh) | Indus, Shyok, Nubra, Zanskar, Suru, Dras, Hanle |
| Panjnad system (rivers of the Jammu and Kashmir regions) | Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Tawi and their tributaries |
Drainage patterns
- Parallel and trellis patterns in the folded ranges (Zanskar, Pir Panjal).
- Antecedent rivers: the Indus, Jhelum and Chenab cut gorges through rising mountains and are older than the ranges (for example the Baramulla gorge).
- Dendritic pattern in the Shiwaliks and the Kashmir Valley.
- Inland drainage in Changthang: Pangong, Tso Moriri and Tso Kar have no outlet to the sea.
Rivers at a glance
| River | Source | Ends |
|---|---|---|
| Indus | Near Mount Kailash / Lake Manasarovar, Tibet | Arabian Sea (Pakistan) |
| Shyok | Rimo Glacier (Siachen area) | Indus (in Gilgit-Baltistan) |
| Nubra | Siachen Glacier | Shyok |
| Zanskar | Zanskar range (Stod and Lungnak join at Padum area) | Indus at Nimmu |
| Suru | Parkachik Glacier | Indus (via Zanskar and Indus near Kargil) |
| Jhelum | Verinag spring, Anantnag | Chenab (Pakistan) |
| Chenab | Bara Lacha La area (Chandra and Bhaga join at Tandi, HP) | Indus (Pakistan) |
| Ravi | Rohtang (Kullu, HP) | Chenab (Pakistan) |
| Tawi | Kali Kund glacier, Bhaderwah | Chenab (Pakistan) |
Keep practising
Notes are only half the work. Test yourself with questions and discuss doubts with other aspirants.
Prepared for exam revision from standard sources, official publications and the Census. Figures and recent developments change, so check official sources before relying on them. Found a mistake? Tell us.