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Rivers of India · Drains to the Arabian Sea

Indus River: source, course, dams and places

Indus (Sindhu) is about 3,180 km long (total length). It rises at Near Lake Manasarovar, Tibet and reaches the Arabian Sea. A map-first summary for exam revision.

By Pradyumna Gayake · Updated · From the same data as the app’s Indus study card

Map of the Indus river in India, from its source to Arabian Sea, with 3 dams and 3 places along its course. Source Nimoo Bazgo Tarbela Dam Sukkur Barrage Skardu Hyderabad (Sindh)
The Indus drawn from AtlasMitra’s river data. Circle: source. Diamonds: dams and barrages. Dots: places on its course. India’s boundary as per the Survey of India.

Source

The Indus rises at Near Lake Manasarovar, Tibet, Enters India in Ladakh. 34.09° N, 72.71° E

Course

Its main course runs Tibet → Ladakh (India) → Gilgit-Baltistan → Pakistan, and it enters the Arabian Sea: delta near Karachi, Pakistan.

Key facts

  • Gives the Indus Valley its name
  • Indian tributaries include Zanskar and Shyok; the Panjnad carries Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Beas and Sutlej.

Dams and barrages

DamWhere and what
Nimoo BazgoHydroelectric plant near Leh, Ladakh.
Tarbela DamKhyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.
Sukkur BarrageSindh, Pakistan.

Places along the Indus

PlaceNote
LehLadakh · Indus valley capital.
SkarduGilgit-Baltistan.
Hyderabad (Sindh)Pakistan · lower river.

Quick questions

Where does the Indus originate?

At Near Lake Manasarovar, Tibet (Enters India in Ladakh).

Where does the Indus end?

In the Arabian Sea (Delta near Karachi, Pakistan).

How long is the Indus?

About 3,180 km (total length).

Which dams are on the Indus?

Nimoo Bazgo: Hydroelectric plant near Leh, Ladakh. Tarbela Dam: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Sukkur Barrage: Sindh, Pakistan.

Sources

  1. River course: Natural Earth Public domain and © OpenStreetMap contributors ODbL 1.0