Water Capacity of Indus, Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Sutlej and Panjnad Rivers

Panjnad River in Pakistan: Location, Tributaries, and Water Capacity of Major Rivers

Introduction

Pakistan is blessed with one of the world’s largest river systems, the Indus Basin, which sustains its agriculture, economy, and life. Among its important rivers, the Panjnad River holds a special place as the confluence of five rivers of Punjab. Understanding its location, water capacity, and how it connects with other rivers in Pakistan is essential for both geography and water resource management.

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What is the Panjnad River?

The Panjnad River (from Persian: Panj = five, Nad = river) is a major river in southern Punjab, Pakistan. It is formed by the confluence of five rivers of Punjab:

• Jhelum River

• Chenab River

• Ravi River

• Beas River (mostly dry in Pakistan after Indus Waters Treaty)

• Sutlej River

These rivers merge near Uch Sharif, Bahawalpur District (Punjab, Pakistan) to form the Panjnad River, which then flows southwest for about 70 km before joining the Indus River at Mithankot (Punjab).

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Location of Panjnad River

• Province: Punjab, Pakistan

• Nearby Cities: Uch Sharif, Bahawalpur, Rahim Yar Khan

• End Point: Confluence with the Indus River at Mithankot, near the border of Punjab and Sindh

The Panjnad Barrage, constructed on this river, is used for irrigation in Bahawalpur, Multan, and other regions, making it a critical part of Pakistan’s agricultural economy.

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Water Capacity of Major Rivers in Pakistan

Pakistan’s rivers belong to the Indus Basin system, which originates from the Himalayas, Karakoram, and Hindu Kush ranges. Their flow varies seasonally, with high water during summer due to glacier melt and monsoon rains. Below is a brief on each river:

1. Indus River

• Length: ~3,180 km (longest in Pakistan)

• Average Annual Flow: ~207 million acre-feet (MAF)

• Importance: Main source of water for Pakistan, supports irrigation and hydropower.

2. Jhelum River

• Length: ~725 km

• Average Annual Flow: ~23 MAF

• Origin: Verinag, Kashmir (India)

• Importance: Joins Chenab, contributes significantly to Panjnad River.

3. Chenab River

• Length: ~960 km

• Average Annual Flow: ~26 MAF

• Origin: Himachal Pradesh (India)

• Importance: Flows through Punjab, merges with Jhelum and Ravi before reaching Panjnad.

4. Ravi River

• Length: ~720 km

• Average Annual Flow: ~7 MAF (low due to water diversion by India under Indus Waters Treaty)

• Importance: Historically irrigated central Punjab, now much reduced.

5. Beas River

• Length: ~470 km (mostly in India, minor flow in Pakistan)

• Average Annual Flow: Very low in Pakistan

• Importance: Now nearly dry in Pakistan after Indus Waters Treaty allocation.

6. Sutlej River

• Length: ~1,550 km

• Average Annual Flow: ~14 MAF (low after diversion by India’s dams/barrages)

• Importance: Once a major river, now seasonal in Pakistan, joins others at Panjnad.

7. Kabul River (important tributary of Indus)

• Length: ~700 km

• Average Annual Flow: ~25 MAF

• Origin: Hindu Kush, Afghanistan

• Importance: Joins Indus near Attock, vital for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa irrigation.

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Importance of Panjnad River

• Agriculture: Supplies irrigation through Panjnad Barrage to southern Punjab.

• Hydrology: Connects all five rivers of Punjab to the Indus system.

• Economy: Supports farming of cotton, wheat, and sugarcane in Bahawalpur and Multan.

• Cultural Significance: Known as “land of five rivers,” Punjab gets its name from these rivers.

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Internal Linking Suggestion

Since you’ll likely write multiple river-related articles, you can internally link like this:

• “Learn more about the Indus River System”

• “Detailed study of Jhelum River and its water capacity”

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