Sutlej River

• Due to incessant rain and heavy dam releases, the Sutlej River is swelling.

• Evacuations have started in several low-lying villages in Fazilka and Ferozepur districts to ensure safety.

About Sutlej River

1. General Information

• Important tributary of the Indus River.

• Longest of the five major rivers flowing through Punjab (India and Pakistan).

• Also called “Satadree”.

• Located north of the Vindhya Range, south of the Hindu Kush Himalayas, and partly in Pakistan.

2. Course and Origin

• Originates from Lake Rakshastal in southwestern Tibet on the north slope of the Himalayas, at over 15,000 feet (4,600 meters).

• One of three Trans-Himalayan rivers (others: Indus and Brahmaputra) originating from the Tibetan Plateau, crossing the Himalayas.

• Enters India via Shipki La Pass in Himachal Pradesh at 6,608 meters altitude.

• Flows through Punjab near Nangal, meets the Beas River — their confluence forms about 105 km of the India-Pakistan border.

• Continues for 350 km before joining the Chenab River.

• The Sutlej and Chenab rivers combine to form the Panjnad River, which flows into the Indus.

3. Length and Hydrology

• Total length: 1,550 km (529 km within Pakistan).

• Hydrology is influenced by:

  • Spring and summer snowmelt from the Himalayas.

  • South Asian monsoon rains.

4. Tributaries

• Major tributaries include:

  • Spiti River

  • Baspa River

  • Soan River

  • Nogli Khad

5. Water Use and Projects

• Water allocation governed by the Indus Waters Treaty between India and Pakistan.

• Mostly diverted for irrigation within India.

• Key hydroelectric and irrigation projects on the river:

  • Bhakra-Nangal Dam

  • Kol Dam

  • Nathpa Jhakri Project

  • Baspa Hydel Scheme