Drainage of Punjab and Seasonal Rivers of Punjab

Currently, the rivers Sutlej, Beas, and Ravi are the only three rivers flowing through the Indian state of Punjab. Notably, significant sections of the Ravi and Sutlej rivers serve as the international boundary between India and Pakistan. The other two rivers, Chenab and Jhelum, flow through Punjab in Pakistan. Eventually, all five rivers converge into the Indus River, which continues its course and drains into the Arabian Sea in Pakistan. Collectively, these six rivers constitute the Indus Valley River System.

Indus River System

The Indus River is one of the largest basins in the world. It is also known as Sindhu in the western Himalayas. The river originates from the glaciers of the Kailash Range near Mansarovar Lake in Tibet. Indus River is also known as “Singe Khamban” or Lion’s Mouth until it joins the Dhar River near the Indo-China border. The river enters India and flows northwest between Ladakh and Zanskar ranges. In India, Indus flows through the Leh district in Jammu and Kashmir.

The river is joined by many tributaries like the Shyok, the Gilgit, the Gortang, the Hunza, the Zaskar, the Shigar, the Nubra, the Gasting, and the Dras. Indus River flows into Pakistan in the Dardistan region and emerges from the hills near Attock, where river Kabul joins it on its right bank. The other important tributaries joining the right bank of the Indus are the Tochi, the Khurram, the Viboa, the Gomal, and the Sangar. These tributaries originate in the Suliman ranges. 

The river flows southwards to meet “Panchnaad ” in Mithankot. The Panjnad is the name given to the accumulated water of the five rivers of Punjab- the Jhelum, the Chenab, the Ravi, the Beas, and the Sutlej. Indus finally discharges into the Arabian Sea, to the east of Karachi.

The Jhelum River System

The Jhelum River originates from a spring at Verinag in the southeast part of the valley of Kashmir. It flows northwards through Wular Lake in Srinagar. The river takes a hairpin bend and flows southwards and is joined by river Kisenganga on its right bank. The river also forms the India-Pakistan border for 170 kilometers and emerges at the Potwar plateau near Mirpur. The major tributaries are Lidar, Sind, and the Pohru from Kashmir Himalayas. The Sutlej joins the Chenab at Trimmu in Pakistan.

The Chenab River System

The river Chenab is the largest tributary of the Indus River that originates near BaraLacha Pass. The river Chenab is created by two headstreams, the Chandra and the Bhaga, which join at Tandi in Himachal Pradesh. From here, it is known as Chandrabhaga. It flows through the northwest of Pangi Valley and enters Jammu and Kashmir. The Chenab River joins the Sutlej at Panchnaad in Pakistan.

The Sutlej River System

The Sutlej River is the longest among the five primary rivers of ancient Punjab. During the Vedic period, it was referred to as Shutudari or Satalutri, while the Greeks called it Hesidros.

It originates from the Langchen Khambab Glacier, near Lake Rakshastal in Tibet, close to the Kailash Mountain Range. Flowing from Tibet, it enters India through Shipki La and then reaches the Punjab plains at Nangal in the Ropar district. The Sutlej merges with the Beas River at Hari-Ke-Patan in Tarn Taran district.

It continues southwestward, crossing into Pakistan, where it joins the Chenab River at Uch Sharif, forming the Panchnaad River (representing the five rivers of Punjab). The Sutlej forms the international boundary with Pakistan in the south-western part of the State.

The river’s right bank tributaries include the Beas and Spiti, while the left bank tributaries are the Baspa and Tirung. Several hydroelectric power projects have been developed on the Sutlej, such as the Karcham-Wangtoo Dam, Bhakra Dam, and Nathpa Jhakri Dam. 

All rivers flow in the southwest direction except the Satluj River which roughly flows from east to west up to Harike and from Harike it assumes south westerly course up to Fazilka. The Satluj and Beas rivers have been tamed by the construction of the Bhakra Dam and Pong Dam, respectively. After the construction of the Ropar head works barrage, the Satluj River has water only during the rainy season on downstream of Ropar.

At Harike Pattan, it carries the flow regenerated by groundwater effluent seepages. Soan Nadi originates near Daulatpur (HP) and all the choes from the Western slopes of the Chint Purni range (HP) flow into it. The Soan Nadi joins the Satluj near the village of Bhalan.

A major project, the Sutlej-Yamuna Link (SYL) Canal, has been proposed to create a 214 km-long waterway connecting the Sutlej and Yamuna Rivers for extensive water transportation. However, the project has faced several legal challenges and was referred to the Supreme Court for resolution.

The Beas River System 

The Beas River flows through the northern Indian states of Himachal Pradesh and Punjab, covering a total length of 470 km. In ancient times, it was called Vipash in the Vedic Age and Hyphasis by the Greeks. Among the major river systems, it is the only one entirely within India’s boundaries.

The river originates from Beas Kund in the Kullu hills near Rohtang Pass, Himachal Pradesh. It enters Punjab at Talwara in Hoshiarpur district, acting as a natural boundary between the Gurdaspur and Hoshiarpur districts, before merging with the Sutlej River at Harike, a site recognized as a Ramsar wetland.

Key tributaries include Uhl, Lambadug, Gaj, and Chaki on the right bank and Parbati and Suketri on the left bank. Major hydroelectric projects along the river are the Pandoh Dam, Dehar Dam, and Pong Dam, the latter also known as the Maharana Pratap Sagar Dam.

The Ravi River system

The Ravi River has its source in the Kullu Hills near Rohtang Pass in Himachal Pradesh. In the Vedic era, the Ravi River was known as Purushani, while its Greek name was Hydroatis, and its Sanskrit name was Iravati. After flowing north-west direction, the Ravi River drains the area lying between Pir Panjal and the Dhauladhar ranges. It then enters the Punjab plains and Pakistan 26 kilometres south of Amritsar. The Ravi River flows into Chenab at Sarai Sindhu.

Hydroelectric power projects on the Ravi include the Thein Dam, also known as the Ranjit Sagar Dam, located in Pathankot, and the Shahpur Kandi Dam. Key tributaries of the Ravi River include Budhil, Saho, and Siul.

Seasonal Rivers of Punjab

The Ghaggar River is a seasonal river with inland drainage, spanning approximately 320 km. In the Vedic period, it was referred to as Drishashtavadi, while the Greeks called it Hakra.

Originating from the Shivalik Range in northwestern Himachal Pradesh, the river flows through the Chandigarh gorge, entering Punjab and passing through districts like Patiala and Sangrur. Eventually, it dries up in the Thar Desert. Near Sirsa, the river supplies water to two irrigation canals that extend into Rajasthan. Its flow is seasonal and relies on monsoonal rainfall.

The primary tributaries of the Ghaggar include the Kaushalya, Markanda, Tangri, and Chautang rivers.

Doabs of Punjab

The region located between two rivers is referred to as a Doab, derived from the Persian words “Do,” meaning two, and “Ab,” meaning water or river. Based on the rivers flowing through these areas, the regions are classified into different Doabs. Each Doab is named after the rivers that define it. The names of these Doab regions are as follows:

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