The Beas River is a river in north India. The river rises in the
Himalayas in central Himachal Pradesh, India, and flows for some 470 kilometres
(290 mi) to the Sutlej River in the Indian state of Punjab. Its total length is
470 kilometres (290 mi) and its drainage basin is 20,303 square kilometres
(7,839 sq mi) large.
The river rises 4,361 metres (14,308 ft) above
sea-level on the southern face of Rohtang Pass in Kullu. It traverses the Mandi
District and enters the Kangra District at Sandhol, 590 metres (1,940 ft) above
sea-level. During its lower course the Beas is crossed by numerous ferries,
many of which consist of inflated skins (darais). Near Reh in Kangra District
it divides into three channels, which reunite after passing Mirthal, 300 metres
(980 ft) above sea-level. On meeting the Sivalik Hills in Hoshiarpur, the river
sweeps sharply northward, forming the boundary with Kangra District. Then
bending round the base of the Sivalik Hills, it takes the southerly direction,
separating the districts of Gurdaspur and Hoshiapur. After touching the
Jullundur district for a short distance, the river forms the boundary between
Amritsar and Kapurthala. Finally the Beas joins the river Sutlej at the
south-western boundary of Kapurthala district of Punjab after a total course of
470 kilometres (290 mi). The chief tributaries are Bain, Banganga, Luni and
Uhal. The Sutlej continues into Pakistani Punjab and joins the Chenab River at
Uch near Bahawalpur to form the Panjnad River; the latter in turn joins the
Indus River at Mithankot. The waters of the Beas and Sutlej rivers are
allocated to India under the Indus Waters Treaty between India and Pakistan. (VIEW FLICKR ALBUM)
