Sutlej

Apr 22, 2026 - 01:11
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Sutlej

Present course: Fixed typo

← Previous revision Revision as of 19:40, 21 April 2026
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=== Present course ===
=== Present course ===
The river originates from Langchen Kabab in the Tibetan plateau, at the lakes of Mansarover and Rakastal at the southern slope of Mount Kailash, which is about 4,570 metres above sea-level. It is fed from snow and glaciers. The source of the Sutlej is west of the [[Drainage basin|catchment area]] of [[Lake Rakshastal]] in [[Tibet]] (also called [[La'angcuo]], adjacent to lake [[Manasarovar]]), as springs in an [[Stream#Intermittent and ephemeral streams|ephemeral]] stream. Lake Rakshastal used to be part of the Sutlej river basin long ago and separated from the Sutlej due to tectonic activity. The nascent river flows at first west-northwest for about {{convert|260|km|mi}} under the Tibetan name ''[[#Langqên Zangbo|Langqên Zangbo]]'' (''Elephant River'' or ''Elephant Spring'') through the Tibetan province of Nari-Khorsam to the [[Shipki La]] pass, entering India in [[Himachal Pradesh]] state at Khab. It flows in a northwestern direction until it changes its course toward the southwest. Ungti Chu and Pare Chu rivers which drain the southeastern part of [[Ladakh]] are tributaries of Sutlej river. Eventually, it reaches the Bhakra gorge, where the Bhakra/Govind Sagar gravity-dam has been constructed. At this point, the lower catchment drains into the reservoire while the higher slopes drains via tributaries. Some of the principal tributaries are Soel khad, Alseed khad, Ali khad, Gamrola khad, Ghambar khad, Seer khad, Sukhar khad, Sarhali khad, and Lunkar khad. Located near Nangal Town, the Sutlej enters the Anandpur Dun, which is a valley/plain region situated between the outer Himalayas and [[Sivalik Hills|Shivalik Hills]]. Within the valley, the Soan Nadi runs near the Sutlej and merges with it at the southern part of the valley at the left bak (eastern bank). Within the valley, the river travels with its tributaries in a braided course in a sluggish manner, with the seasonal torrents being referred to as ''Khads'', that descend down from the surrounding hills from slopes leading toward the river. The principal khads in this section are the Donala Khad, Dabawali Khad, Charan Ganga Khad, Lohand Khad, and Kundlu Ki Khad.
The river originates from Langchen Kabab in the Tibetan plateau, at the lakes of Manasarovar and Raksatal at the southern slope of Mount Kailash, which is about 4,570 metres above sea-level. It is fed from snow and glaciers. The source of the Sutlej is west of the [[Drainage basin|catchment area]] of [[Lake Rakshastal]] in [[Tibet]] (also called [[La'angcuo]], adjacent to lake [[Manasarovar]]), as springs in an [[Stream#Intermittent and ephemeral streams|ephemeral]] stream. Lake Rakshastal used to be part of the Sutlej river basin long ago and separated from the Sutlej due to tectonic activity. The nascent river flows at first west-northwest for about {{convert|260|km|mi}} under the Tibetan name ''[[#Langqên Zangbo|Langqên Zangbo]]'' (''Elephant River'' or ''Elephant Spring'') through the Tibetan province of Nari-Khorsam to the [[Shipki La]] pass, entering India in [[Himachal Pradesh]] state at Khab. It flows in a northwestern direction until it changes its course toward the southwest. Ungti Chu and Pare Chu rivers which drain the southeastern part of [[Ladakh]] are tributaries of Sutlej river. Eventually, it reaches the Bhakra gorge, where the Bhakra/Govind Sagar gravity-dam has been constructed. At this point, the lower catchment drains into the reservoire while the higher slopes drains via tributaries. Some of the principal tributaries are Soel khad, Alseed khad, Ali khad, Gamrola khad, Ghambar khad, Seer khad, Sukhar khad, Sarhali khad, and Lunkar khad. Located near Nangal Town, the Sutlej enters the Anandpur Dun, which is a valley/plain region situated between the outer Himalayas and [[Sivalik Hills|Shivalik Hills]]. Within the valley, the Soan Nadi runs near the Sutlej and merges with it at the southern part of the valley at the left bak (eastern bank). Within the valley, the river travels with its tributaries in a braided course in a sluggish manner, with the seasonal torrents being referred to as ''Khads'', that descend down from the surrounding hills from slopes leading toward the river. The principal khads in this section are the Donala Khad, Dabawali Khad, Charan Ganga Khad, Lohand Khad, and Kundlu Ki Khad.


The Sutlej exits the valley near Ropar, where it enters the [[Punjab Plain|Punjab Plains]]. In the past, there was a weir that diverted some of its water to the [[Sirhind Canal]] at this point but in the 1950s it was replaced with a barrage of the Bhakra-Nangal project. The Bist Doab Canal is also fed by the river here and emerges from its right-bank. It then has its main [[knee (geography)|knee]] heading west-southwest for about {{convert|360|km|mi}} to meet the [[Beas River]] near [[Harike]], [[Tarn Taran district]], [[Punjab, India|Punjab]] state. [[Ropar Wetland]] in [[Punjab, India|Punjab]] state is located on the Sutlej river basin. Evidence suggests [[Indus Valley Civilisation]] also flourished here. Between the river's course from Ropar and Firozpur, many natural streams and artificial drains feed. At Khizarpur village, the Siswan Nadi, a seasonal stream, feed the Sutlej. Under the high-bank of the old course of the Sutlej emerges the [[Buddha Nullah]], where is a perennial stream that originates at Chamkaur and enters Ludhiana district near Bahlopur, passing nearby the city of Ludhiana, re-entering the Sutlej at Jagraon Tehsil, near the district boundary with the neighbouring Firozpur district. The East Beas and West Beas enters the Sutlej on its right bank, with the Beas itself joining the Sutlej at Harike.
The Sutlej exits the valley near Ropar, where it enters the [[Punjab Plain|Punjab Plains]]. In the past, there was a weir that diverted some of its water to the [[Sirhind Canal]] at this point but in the 1950s it was replaced with a barrage of the Bhakra-Nangal project. The Bist Doab Canal is also fed by the river here and emerges from its right-bank. It then has its main [[knee (geography)|knee]] heading west-southwest for about {{convert|360|km|mi}} to meet the [[Beas River]] near [[Harike]], [[Tarn Taran district]], [[Punjab, India|Punjab]] state. [[Ropar Wetland]] in [[Punjab, India|Punjab]] state is located on the Sutlej river basin. Evidence suggests [[Indus Valley Civilisation]] also flourished here. Between the river's course from Ropar and Firozpur, many natural streams and artificial drains feed. At Khizarpur village, the Siswan Nadi, a seasonal stream, feed the Sutlej. Under the high-bank of the old course of the Sutlej emerges the [[Buddha Nullah]], where is a perennial stream that originates at Chamkaur and enters Ludhiana district near Bahlopur, passing nearby the city of Ludhiana, re-entering the Sutlej at Jagraon Tehsil, near the district boundary with the neighbouring Firozpur district. The East Beas and West Beas enters the Sutlej on its right bank, with the Beas itself joining the Sutlej at Harike.
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