Question
Describe salient features of the Indus river system.
Solution
The Indus System:
(i)It is one of the largest river basins of the world, covering an area of 11,65,000 sq. km and a total length of 2,880 km.
(ii)The Indus also known as the Sindhu, is the westernmost of the Himalayan rivers in India. It originates from a glacier near Bokhar Chu, 31°15' N latitude and 81°40' E longitude, in the Tibetan region at an altitude of 4,164 m in the Kailash Mountain range.
(iii)In Tibet, it is known as ‘Singi Khamban; or Lion’s mouth. After flowing in the northwest direction between the Ladakh and Zaskar ranges, it passes through Ladakh and Baltistan.
(iv)It cuts across the Ladakh range, forming a spectacular gorge near Gilgit in Jammu and Kashmir.
(v)It enters into Pakistan near Chillar in the Dardistan region.
(iii)In Tibet, it is known as ‘Singi Khamban; or Lion’s mouth. After flowing in the northwest direction between the Ladakh and Zaskar ranges, it passes through Ladakh and Baltistan.
(iv)It cuts across the Ladakh range, forming a spectacular gorge near Gilgit in Jammu and Kashmir.
(v)It enters into Pakistan near Chillar in the Dardistan region.
