Chenab River System in Himachal Pradesh
Overview & Key Features
Alternate Names
- Sanskrit: Askini
- Vedic: Chanderbhaga
- Greek: Acesines
Key Characteristics
- Length in HP: 122 km (through Lahaul-Spiti and Chamba).
- Water Volume: Largest river in Himachal Pradesh by discharge volume, fed by glacial melt.
- Mineral Deposits: Gold is found in trace amounts in some parts of the riverbed.
- Historical Note: In 1871, A.F.P. Harcourt described the Chandra valley as “a desolate tract… devoid of villages or signs of human life.”
Districts Covered in HP
- Lahaul-Spiti
- Chamba
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Detailed River System Guide
1. Origin: Confluence at Tandi
The Chenab River does not have a single origin but is formed by the confluence of two major rivers, the Chandra and the Bhaga.
A. Chandra River
- Origin: Chandra Tal (lake) located south of the Baralacha Pass.
- Glaciers: Fed by Bara Shigri, Chhota Shigri, Samudri, and Chandra glaciers.
- Major Tributaries:
- Koksar Nala (joins from right)
- Mulling Nala (joins from left)
- Sissu Nala (joins from right)
B. Bhaga River
- Origin: Suraj Tal (lake) located north of the Baralacha Pass.
- Major Tributaries:
- Zangskar River (joins from right at Darcha)
- Mulkila River (joins from left at Darcha)
- Yoche River (joins from left at Darcha)
- Billing Nala (joins from right at Keylong)
C. Confluence
- The Chandra and Bhaga rivers meet at Tandi in Lahaul-Spiti.
- From Tandi onwards, the combined river is known as the Chenab (or “Chandrabhaga“).
2. Tributaries in Lahaul-Spiti
Right-Bank Tributaries (Joining from the North)
- Chokhang Nala
- Shanshar Nala (Origin: Gangstang Glacier)
- Thirot Nala (Origin: Neelkanth Lake)
- Miyar Nala (Origin: Miyar Glacier) – Joins at Udaipur
Left-Bank Tributaries (Joining from the South)
- Kalicho Nala (Joins at Udaipur)
- Chobia Nala (Joins at Udaipur)
- Darati Nala (Joins at Tindi)
- Hassar Nala (Joins at Tindi)
- Marhu Nala (Joins at Tindi)
- Karu River (Joins at Bhujind)
Note: The Chenab River leaves Lahaul-Spiti and enters Chamba at Bhujind.
3. Tributaries in Chamba (Pangi Valley)
Right-Bank Tributaries
- Saichu Nala (Joins from right, near Sach Pass)
- Lujoi Nala (Joins from right)
Left-Bank Tributaries
- Sach Nala (Joins from left at Killar)
- Cheni Nala (Joins from left at Killar)
Exiting Himachal Pradesh
- Near the Chamba-Jammu border, the Chenab is joined by:
- Sansari Nala (from right)
- Tawi River (from left)
4. Major Towns on the Chenab System
- Keylong: The administrative headquarters of Lahaul-Spiti, located on the banks of the Bhaga River.
- Tandi: The sacred confluence point of the Chandra and Bhaga rivers.
- Udaipur: A major settlement in the Lahaul Valley on the main Chenab (Chandrabhaga) river.
- Killar: The administrative headquarters of the Pangi subdivision (Chamba district), on the banks of the Chenab.
5. Major Hydropower Projects
- Jispa Hydroelectric Project:
- Location: On the Bhaga River, near Jispa in Lahaul-Spiti.
- Sel Project:
- Location: On the main Chenab River, in the Lahaul-Spiti region.
- Thirot Hydroelectric Project:
- Location: On the Thirot Nala, a right-bank tributary in the Lahaul Valley.
- Miyar Hydroelectric Project:
- Location: On the Miyar Nala, a right-bank tributary in the Udaipur subdivision.