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Himachal Pradesh provides water to both theIndus andGangesbasins. The drainage systems of the region are theChenab, theRavi, theBeas, theSatluj and theYamuna. These rivers areperennial and are fed by snow and rainfall. They are protected by an extensive cover of natural vegetation.
The Beas rises in thePir Panjal range near theRohtang Pass and flows about 256 kilometres (159 mi) in Himachal Pradesh. The river is joined by a number of tributaries; the major tributaries are theParbati, theHurla, theSainj,theUhl, theSuheti, theLuni, theBanganga and theChaki. The northern and eastern tributaries of the river are snow fed and perennial, while the southern ones are seasonal. During the month of August, increase in the inflow sometimes results infloods.
TheChenab River (Vedic name Askni), the largest river (in terms of volume of water) is formed after the meeting of two streams namely,Chandra andBhaga at Tandi, inLahaul. It flows 122 kilometres (76 mi) and covers an area of 7,500 square kilometres (2,900 mi2) inHimachal Pradesh, before enteringJammu and Kashmir. The Chandra passes through the barren tribal land.
The Ravi is born in Bara Banghal,Kangra district as a joint stream formed by the glacier feadBhadal andTantgari. The river is about 158 kilometres (98 mi) long and has a catchment area of nearly 5,451 square kilometres (2,105 mi2). Chamba lies on its right bank.
The Satluj originates in distantTibet. The river cuts through both the great Himalayan and the Zaskar ranges and crosses the Indo-Tibetan border (near Shipkila). Then the river Spiti joins Satluj from the north, theBaspa joins it from the south. Passing through gorges it emerges from the mountains atBhakra. The catchment area of Satluj in Himachal Pradesh is about 20,000 square kilometres (7,700 mi2).
The Yamuna has its origin inYamunotri inUttarkashi district,Uttarakhand. Its total catchment area in Himachal Pradesh is 2,320 square kilometres (900 mi2). Its tributaries are theTons, theGiri and theBata.[1] Of these, Giri and Pabbar (a tributary of Tons) originate and flow in Himachal Pradesh.
TheGhaggar river originates near the village ofDagshai in theShivalik Hills ofHimachal Pradesh at an elevation of 1,927 metres (6,322 ft) above mean sea level[2] and flows throughPunjab andHaryana states intoRajasthan;[3] just southwest ofSirsa, Haryana and by the side ofTalwara Lake inRajasthan.