Rivers in Gilgit Baltistan
Rivers in Gilgit Baltistan
Written by Syeda Abeeha Shigri
Hunza River:
Hunza river is one of the major rivers of GB. It is about 190 kms in length and originates from a glacier of the north Karakoram range in the northwestern part of Jammu and Kashmir as Khunjerab and meets with Chapursan gorges. This river cut the Karakoram ranges and flows north towards the south. A bridge named as Karakoram Highway Bridge is built by the government for local people. This river runs through Hunza valley, Gilgit River, and Naltar River and finally, falls into the Indus River.
Shigar River:
Shigar River originated from Baltoro Glacier and Biafo Glacier, which is approximately 62 Kms in length. It is a tributary of the Indus River which flows through Shigar Valley and meets to the Indus in Skardu Valley. It has two tributaries which are the Braldo River and the Basha River.
Gilgit River:
The Gilgit River originates from a high Alpine glacier and then flows through Gupis Yasin, Ghizer, and the Gilgit District of Gilgit Baltistan. It joins the Indus River near the town of Juglot and Bunji. The upper sections of the Gilgit River are called the Gupis River and Ghizer River.
River Shyok:
The name Shyok is derived from Tibetan (Shag) gravel and (gyog) spread so Shyok means gravel spreader. This river is also one of the tributaries of the Indus, which is about 550 km in length. Actually, this river originated from Rimo Glacier, one of the tongues of the Siachen Glaciers. Rising from Karakoram mountains to the north of the Leh and southeast of Karakoram pass. At a short distance above the great northwestern bend, it receives the water of the long Chang Chhen-Mo or the great Chang River. It also receives the water of the long- Kouma from the southeast. Near Hundur it meets with the Nubra River and joins with the Indus River at Keris. At Surmo Shyok is also joined by two small rivers of Saltoro and Hushe
Astore River:
Astore River is one of the rivers draining the Deosai Plateau and runs through Astore Valley. It is also the tributary of the Indus which is about 120 km in length.
The other rivers in GB are the Braldo River( 78km), Hispar River ( 100km) Hushe River( 42.4km), Saltoro River (20km), and Shingo River (100km).
