River Systems

Five river systems drain the state; four of the five rivers of the Punjab flow through it. Learn each by source, ancient name, length in HP, exit point and main tributaries.

Sutlej (Satadru / Zaradros)

• Longest river in Himachal — about 320 km in the state.
• Rises from Rakas Tal near Mansarovar in Tibet; enters India at Shipki La in Kinnaur.
• Districts: Kinnaur, Shimla, Kullu, Mandi, Solan, Bilaspur; leaves at Bhakra.
• Tributaries: Spiti, Baspa, Nogli, Soan/Swan, Ali Khad, Gambhar, Sirsa.
• Projects: Bhakra, Nathpa Jhakri, Karcham Wangtoo, Kol Dam — the state's power spine.

Beas (Vipasha / Arjikuja)

• Rises at Beas Kund near Rohtang; about 256 km in Himachal.
• Leaves the state near Mirthal in Kangra.
• Tributaries: Parvati, Sainj, Tirthan, Hurla, Uhl, Suketi, Luni, Banganga, Neugal, Binwa, Chakki, Manuni.
• Projects: Pandoh, Pong (Maharana Pratap Sagar), Larji, Beas–Sutlej Link.
• The only one of the five that rises and largely runs inside Himachal.

Ravi (Iravati / Purushni)

• Rises in Bara Bangahal from the union of the Bhadal and Tantgari; about 158 km in HP.
• Flows through Chamba; leaves near Kheri/Basoli.
• Tributaries: Budhil, Siul, Baira, Tant Gari, Chirchind.
• Projects: Chamera I–III, Baira Siul (the first NHPC project in India).

Chenab (Chandrabhaga / Askini)

• Formed at Tandi in Lahaul by the union of the Chandra (from Chandra Tal) and the Bhaga (from Suraj Tal) — both rising near Baralacha La.
• About 122 km in Himachal; leaves through Pangi into Kishtwar.
• Largest by volume of water among HP's rivers.

Yamuna

• Enters HP at Khadar Majri in Sirmaur and forms the state's eastern boundary.
• Tributaries in HP: Tons (the largest), Giri, Pabbar, Bata, Andhra.
• The Giri divides Sirmaur into Cis-Giri and Trans-Giri.
• The only HP river belonging to the Ganga system; the other four are Indus-system rivers.