Cloudburst Events in Himachal Pradesh and rivers in news

26 Jun 2025 GS 1 Geography
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Regions Affected:
Cloudbursts were reported in the Brahmaganga region (Manikaran valley) and Gomti river area (Gadsa valley), including Banjar and Sainj.

Parvati River and Brahmaganga River (Himachal Pradesh):

  • Parvati River:

    • Located in Parvati Valley, Himachal Pradesh; originates from the Man Talai Glacier below Pin Parbati Pass.

    • Flows north-northwest to west-southwest, joining the Beas River at Bhuntar, ~10 km south of Kullu.

    • Passes through Manikaran, a prominent temple town with geothermal springs (Manikaran, Kheerganga).

    • Valley serves as a route to Lahaul (via Sara Umga La), Spiti (via Pin Parbati Pass), and Debsa Pass.

    • Upper valley has dense forests under threat due to hydro-electric projects.

  • Brahmaganga River:

    • A tributary of the Parvati River, flowing through Manikaran valley in Kullu district.

    • Illustrates the fragility of Himalayan river systems under extreme weather events.


River system of Himachal Pradesh:

Himachal Pradesh is rich in perennial river systems originating in the Himalayas, fed by snowmelt and rainfall, playing a crucial role in irrigation, hydroelectricity, and settlement patterns. The state’s five major river systems are:

A. Yamuna River System

  • Easternmost river

  • Enters H.P. at Khoder Majra (Sirmaur).

  • Tons River: Rises from Har-ki-Dun; joins Yamuna at Kalsi (Dehradun).

  • Giri River: Divides Sirmaur into Cis-Giri and Trans-Giri; joins Yamuna at Paonta.

    • Giri tributaries: Pabber (from Chandernahan lake near Rohru), Bata (from Dharthi range).

  • Important Settlements: Yashwantnagar, Dadahu, Sataun.

  • Drains into Bay of Bengal.

B. Satluj River System

  • Longest river in Himachal; enters from Tibet (Shipki La).

  • Major tributaries: Spiti, Baspa, Sinu, Bahlu, Katlu, Behna, Siman, Bhagmati, Khadel.

  • Key towns/tehsils: Nirmand, Rampur, Firnu, Dehar.

  • Leaves H.P. at Bhakra into Punjab.

  • Hydroelectric Projects: Bhakra Dam, Nathpa Jhakri, Baspa I & II, Rongtong, Sanjay Vidyut, Andhra, Bassi, Ghanvi.

  • Historical Flood: 1762 flood submerged Bilaspur.

  • Final drainage: Indus River system.

C. Beas River System

  • Origin: Beas Kund, near Palachan village.

  • Major districts along course: Kullu, Mandi, Hamirpur, Kangra.

  • Tributaries:

    • Tirthan (from Pir Panjal, joins at Larji)

    • Parvati (joins at Shamshi)

    • Sainj (joins at Larji)

  • Pandoh Project: Diverts water into Satluj at Slapper.

  • Known as "River of Sorrow" (Punjab), turned "Harbinger of Prosperity" post Pong Dam.

  • Leaves H.P. for Punjab at Murthal.

D. Ravi and Chenab (Chandrabhaga) System

  • Ravi River:

    • Flows through Chamba; leaves H.P. at Kheri.

    • Called Hydraster by Greek historians.

    • Joins Chenab in Pakistan.

  • Chenab River (Chandrabhaga):

    • Formed by Chandra and Bhaga rivers at Tandi (Lahaul).

      • Chandra = Rangoli

      • Bhaga = Gara (Punn)

    • Enters Pangi Valley (Rihund), leaves at Sansari Nala.

    • Gold deposits reported in riverbed.

    • Largest Himachali river by volume.

    • Final drainage: Arabian Sea.

E. Other Rivers

  • Swan River (Una):

    • Known as “River of Sorrow”, formerly called Som Bhadra.

  • Imla & Vimla Rivers (Karsog):

    • Imla rises from Mahun Dhong, Vimla from Gudha.

    • Merge with Satluj at Parlog.

  • Dainkund Peak: Panoramic view of Beas, Ravi, Chenab.



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