Satluj River: In-Depth Details

1. Origin and Course

The Satluj River is the longest river flowing through Himachal Pradesh.
It originates beyond the Indian border, in the southern slopes of the Kailash Mountain near Mansarovar Lake.
Its source is the Rakas Lake in Tibet, where it is known as the Longchhen Khabab.
The Satluj enters Himachal Pradesh at Shipki, which is at a high altitude of 6,608 meters.
It flows in a southwesterly direction through the districts of Kinnaur, Shimla, Kullu, Solan, Mandi, and Bilaspur.
The river leaves Himachal Pradesh and enters the plains of Punjab at Bhakhra.
The Satluj eventually drains into the Indus River in Pakistan.

2. Old and Sanskrit Names

3. Tributaries

The Satluj has a complex system of tributaries.
Right Bank Tributaries:
- Spiti
- Ropa
- Taiti
- Kashang
- Mulgaon
- Yula
- Wanger
- Throng
- Rupi
Left Bank Tributaries:
- Tirung
- Gayanthing
- Baspa
- Duling
- Soldang
Other Important Tributary Details:
- The Spiti River originates from the Kunzum range.
- The Baspa River is a significant tributary in the upper reaches of the Satluj.
- The Nogli Khad joins the Satluj below Rampur Bushahr.
- The Soan River also joins the Satluj.

Spiti River

Origin: The Spiti River originates from the Kunzum range.
Course:
- It flows through the Spiti Valley.
- Tributaries of the Spiti include the Tegpo and Kabzian streams.
- It also receives water from the Pin Valley area.
Location and Influence:
- Its position across the main Himalayan range means it doesn’t benefit from the South-West monsoons.
- The river’s flow peaks in late summer due to glacier melt.
- It meets the Satluj at Namgia in the Kinnaur district.
- The Spiti River flows through a region of high mountains that are largely barren.
- Key settlements along the Spiti River include Hansi and Dhankar Gompa.
Exam Focus: Origin, course through Spiti Valley, confluence point, impact of the Himalayas on its flow.

Baspa River

Origin: The Baspa River originates from the Baspa hills.
Course:
- It is joined by smaller channels that carry snowmelt.
- The Baspa River cuts across the main Himalayan range.
Location and Influence:
- It empties into the Satluj in the Kinnaur district.
- Specifically, it joins the Satluj from the left bank near Karcham (Kalpa).
Exam Focus: Origin, general course, confluence with Satluj, and district association.

Nogli Khad

Course: The Nogli Khad flows and joins the Satluj.
Location and Influence:
- It joins the Satluj below Rampur Bushahr.
- The Nogli Khad touches the Kullu district in the Nirmand tehsil, opposite the Rampur tehsil of Shimla district.
Exam Focus: Confluence point with the Satluj, and the districts it is associated with.

Soan River

Origin: The Soan River rises from the southern slopes of the Shivalik range (also known as the Solasinghi range).
Course: It flows from the eastern part of the Beas gap.
Location and Influence:
- It joins the Satluj River near its gorge across the Shivalik hills, which forms the boundary between Himachal Pradesh and Punjab.
- The Soan River’s gradient is not very steep.
- Its flow varies significantly: low in summer, high during the monsoon.
Exam Focus: Origin, course, and its confluence point with the Satluj.

4. Catchment Area and Flow

The Satluj has a substantial catchment area.
Its catchment area of about 50140 square km is located above the permanent snow line at an altitude of 4500 msl.
A significant portion of the Satluj valley’s upper tracts is under permanent snow cover.

5. Human Settlements

6. Dams and Hydroelectric Projects

The Satluj is crucial for hydroelectric power generation.
The Bhakra Dam, one of the world’s highest gravity dams, is constructed on this river.
Other important projects include the Nathpa Jhakri Project and the Kol Dam Project.

7. Length