Question

Difficulty: Very hardDrainage System and Water Resources of India

With reference to the Himalayan tributaries of the Indus River system, consider the following statements:

1. The Shyok River originates from the Rimo Glacier and flows as a right-bank tributary of the Indus River.
2. The Gilgit River meets the Indus River on its left bank near Bunji.
3. The Zaskar River flows northward to join the Indus River as a left-bank tributary in the Ladakh region.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

  1. 1 and 3 onlyAnswer
  2. B
    1 and 2 only
  3. C
    2 and 3 only
  4. D
    1, 2 and 3

Answer

Statements 1 and 3 are correct. The Shyok River is a right-bank tributary originating from the Rimo Glacier, and the Zaskar River is a left-bank tributary joining the Indus in Ladakh. The Gilgit River is a right-bank tributary of the Indus.
Statements 1 and 3 are accurate. The Shyok River originates from the Rimo Glacier tongue and joins the Indus River on its right bank. The Zaskar River flows northwards across the Zaskar Range to meet the Indus on its left bank near Nimu in Ladakh. The Gilgit River joins the Indus near Bunji from the right bank (northwestern side), making statement 2 incorrect.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze Statement 1 regarding the origin and bank orientation of the Shyok River.
The Shyok River emerges from the Rimo Glacier (part of the Siachen region) and flows southeast then northwest before joining the Indus River on its right bank in Ladakh. Statement 1 is correct.
Verifying physical geography and tributary orientation of the Shyok River.
2
Analyze Statement 2 regarding the confluence and bank orientation of the Gilgit River.
The Gilgit River drains the Hindukush region and joins the Indus River near Bunji from the north/northwest, which constitutes a right-bank tributary, not left-bank. Statement 2 is incorrect.
Distinguishing right-bank versus left-bank tributaries of the upper Indus basin.
3
Analyze Statement 3 regarding the Zaskar River.
The Zaskar River drains the Zaskar range and flows northward to meet the Indus on its left bank at Nimu near Leh. Statement 3 is correct.
Confirming the tributary orientation of southern Himalayan rivers entering the Indus valley.

Key Concept

Indus River Tributary Bank Orientations
Estimated Time:1m 30s
Rate this question