Source: TOI
Subject: Mapping
Context: India is set to utilise surplus waters of the Ravi River through the Shahpur Kandi Dam, preventing unused flows into Pakistan.
About Ravi River:
What is the Ravi River?
- The Ravi River is one of the five rivers of the Indus river system, which give Punjab its name (“Land of Five Rivers”).
- It is an eastern river under the Indus Waters Treaty, allocated exclusively to India.
Origin:
- Originates near the Rohtang Pass in Himachal Pradesh.
- Rises at an elevation of around 4,400 metres above sea level.
- Initially flows as two streams — Budhil and Tantgari — which later merge.
Course of the River:
- Countries: Flows through India and Pakistan.
- Within India:
-
- Himachal Pradesh (mainly Chamba district).
- Punjab (Gurdaspur, Amritsar districts).
- Forms part of the India–Pakistan international boundary before entering Pakistan.
- In Pakistan:
-
- Flows past Lahore.
- Eventually joins the Chenab River.
Tributaries of Ravi River:
- Right Bank Tributaries: Siul River, Baira River, Budhil River, and Tant Gari
- Left Bank Tributaries: Ujh River and Chirchind Nala.
- Other Tributaries / Streams: Bhadal River, Sewa River, Bein and Basantar.
Ravi is a Tributary of: The Ravi River ultimately joins the Chenab River, which is a major western tributary of the Indus River.
Key Features of the Ravi River:
- Total length: Approx. 720 km (about 320 km in India) – The river flows through both India and Pakistan, with nearly half its course lying within Indian territory.
- Catchment area in India: Around 5,957 sq km – A significant drainage basin in Himachal Pradesh and Punjab supports irrigation and hydropower projects.
- Flow is sustained by Himalayan snowmelt in summer and intensified by heavy monsoon rains from June to September.
- Intense rainfall often leads to high discharge levels, causing seasonal flooding in downstream areas.
- Controlled by major dams like Chamera I, II, III and Ranjit Sagar (Thein) Dam – These projects regulate water flow for hydropower generation, irrigation, and flood management.
- Shahpur Kandi Dam: A multipurpose project on the Ravi River near the Punjab–J&K border, aimed at utilising surplus eastern river waters for irrigation and reducing flow into Pakistan.
