Chenab River: Detailed Overview

1. Origin and Formation

• The Chenab River is formed by the confluence of two major streams: the Chandra and the Bhaga.
  
• The Chandra and Bhaga rivers originate from opposite sides of the Baralacha Pass.
  
• The Baralacha Pass is at a high elevation of approximately 4,891 meters.
  
• The confluence of these two rivers occurs at Tandi, at an elevation of 2,286 meters.
  

2. Course and Flow

• The Chandra stream rises from the south-east of the Baralacha pass, and the Bhaga stream rises from the north-west of the pass.
  
• The Chenab River enters the Pangi valley of the Chamba district.
  
• It leaves the Chamba district at Sansari Nala.
  
• The Chenab then flows into the Podar valley of Kashmir.
  

3. Tributaries

• The Chenab River also receives water from several tributaries.
  
• Key Tributaries:
  
  • Miyar Nullah (joins in Lahaul)
  • Saicher Nullah (joins in Pangi valley)
  • Jammu Tavi
  • Munawarwali

Chenab River Tributaries: Detailed Breakdown

The Chenab River, formed by the confluence of the Chandra and Bhaga rivers, has a few key tributaries that contribute to its flow.

• Miyar Nullah:
  
  • It joins the Chenab in the Lahaul region.  
• Saicher Nullah:
  
  • It joins the Chenab in the Pangi valley.  
• Jammu Tavi:
  
  • This is a tributary in the lower course of the Chenab.  
• Munawarwali River:
  
  • This tributary is located in the Dun valley.  

4. Scale and Significance

• The Chenab is the largest river of Himachal Pradesh in terms of water volume.
  
• It has a substantial total length of approximately 1,200 kilometers.
  
• The Chenab River’s catchment area is extensive, totaling 61,000 square kilometers.
  
• Out of this total catchment area, about 7,500 square kilometers lie within Himachal Pradesh.
  

5. Geological Context

• The Chenab valley is described as a structural trough.
  
• This trough is formed by the Great Himalayan and Pir Panjal ranges.
  

6. Human Settlements

• Several settlements have developed along the Chenab River.
  
• Important settlements include:
  
  • Udaipur
  • Killar
  • Doda
  • Ramban

7. Confluence

• The Chenab eventually joins the Indus River at Mithankot in Pakistan.