Key Facts about Chandra River

About Chandra River

• It is one of the two rivers (other being the Bhaga River) that merge to form the Chenab River in the Lahaul region of Himachal Pradesh.
• Course:
  • Origin: It rises in the snows lying at the base of the main Himalayan range in the Lahaul and Spiti districts, Himachal Pradesh.
  • It flows for a considerable distance along the base of this range in a southeasterly direction before turning completely and taking a southwesterly course in the Spiti Valley.
  • It flows on to merge with the Bhaga River downstream of Keylong.
  • The beautiful Chandra Tal Lake has formed at its source.
• The upper and middle catchments of this river are made up of a topography that has been carved out by glacial action.
• The entire area is a vast, cold desert that receives little or no rain as it lies in the rain shadow of the Pir Panjal range of the Himalayas.
• Throughout its course, the river is fed by a number of glaciers, the biggest being the Shigri on its left bank, and the Samundari on its right. 
• Many small snow-fed tributaries join the Chandra at different places.
• Koksar is the only important human settlement along this river.

Q1) Which are the main tributaries of the Chenab River?

The Marusudar is the biggest tributary of the Chenab and meets the Chenab at Bhandalkot. Between Kishtwar and Akhnoor, it receives the waters of the Kalnai, the Neeru, the Raghi, the Bichleri and the Ans. The Tawi and Manawar Tawi join Chenab in Pakistan.

Source: Watch: Tourist beats Himachal Pradesh traffic, drives SUV through river; fined