Jhellum River

Of the five rivers that the state of Punjab derives its name from, Jhelum is the largest of them all. If the map of Punjab is consulted, Jhelum flows in the extreme West through the Jhelum District. With a total length of about 774 km, it courses through India and Pakistan. The chief cities that stand on its bank are Awantipora, Sopore, Jhang, Srinagar, Baramulla, Mirpur, Anantnag and Muzaffarabad.

Jhelum originates from a sparkling spring at Verinag, in Jammu & Kashmir. This particular spring is located at the bottom of the Pir Panjal mountain range at an altitude of 1,876 m. The Verinag spring has an eight sided foundation with an enclosed opening, through which the Jhelum leaps out. This spring is the major source of water for Jhelum with a depth of 54 feet and flowing out at a steady pace throughout the year. The water is naturally adjustable, springing out tepid water in the winters and icy water in the summers. The octagon is the customary shape of the Mughals. Emperor Jahangir had re-designed the base of the spring to this shape from its ancient circular one. It is for this spring, that Verinag is of utmost attraction.

Jhelum is fed both by snow and rain. The heavy monsoon in India starting from June and continuing till September provides the major amount of water during the summers. The banks get flooded during heavy rains. During the winters, the rainfall is light and hence the river flows through a slender channel. The water is pristine clean and fresh.

The water of Jhelum, at lower altitudes, is utilized for irrigation and power generation purposes. An area of 1.2 million hectares is irrigated by the waters held in Mangla Dam and Reservoir. The hydro-electric facility provided by the Dam is 300 MW.

Course:

After rising from a cavernous spring in Verinag, Jhelum courses its way in the North-western direction along the slope of the mountains of the Pir Panjal range. The river flows past the Wullar Lake and Srinagar. It enters Pakistan through a bottomless tapered ravine with sharp vertical walls. This part of the river is not navigable as it flows very swiftly. River Kishenganga unites with Jhelum at Muzaffarabad and also does another major river called Kunhar that rises from the Kaghar valley. The Poonch River flows into Jhelum before it reaches the Mangla Dam across its width. The Mangla Reservoir is in the Mirpur District of Pakistan. The river meanders its way through the plains prior to meeting the Chenab River in the district of Jhang at Trimmu. Later, Chenab congregate with the Sutlej and flows out as the Panjnad River.

Tributaries of Jhelum:

Jhelum is an important perennial river rising from the Verinag spring. It provides water for all the lands on its bank and is the major source for irrigation in Punjab, Kashmir and Pakistan. The town of Srinagar has Jhelum flowing on its two sides. This increases the beauty of the city exponentially.

• Vishav River: It meets Jhelum a little bit lower than Bijbehara and rises from the Kaunsarnag Lake. This lake is at a height of 4000m and is snow covered even in the warmer seasons of the year.
• Romushi River: It flows out from Kharmarg till it reaches Pakharpur and then flows in the North-eastern direction.
• Dudhganga River: this River rises from the Tata Kuti Mountains in the Pir Panjal Range. It is an accumulation of two rivers, the Sangesafed and Yachera. This river flows through a marsh named Batamalu swamp near Srinagar.
• Sukhang River: It rises near the city of Gulmarg and waters large cultivable lands.
• Lider River: It flows in the form of a hasty constricted rivulet from the Lake of Sheeshnag Lake to Pahalgam. It is a large tributary of Jhelum.
• Ferozepur Nullah: It is a significant river in the region of Baramullah and Gulmarg. It gets its water from a lot of hilly brooks and springs.
• Sind Nullah: It starts from the Gangabal Lake in the Harmukh Mountains at a height of 5150 m. It meets Jhelum at shadipur with a total length of 96 km. The “Sind Valley Hydroelectric Project” is build across its width at Gandarbal.

There are a number of lakes that Jhelum flows through on its course. They are Wullar lake, Dal lake, Anchar lake, Mansbal lake, Harvan lake, Hokasar lake, Gangabal lake, Vishno-pad lake, Neelang lake and Sheshang lake.

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