Fast Facts
- Situated: Region of Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir, India
- Stream Of : River Indus
Major Tributaries of River Shyok: Chipshap River, Saltoro River, Galwan River, Nubra River, Chang Celmo River
River Shyok is a major tributary of river Indus, Ladakh. The major stream of this river raises from hoary wastes on plains of Depsang, located in the northern part of Ladakh, ranges of Karakoram.
The direction of River Shyok is westward then it gradually moves southeast and stops near the town of Shyok.
Some of the major tributaries of this river include :
- River Chu
- River Saltoro
- River Chipshap
- River Nubra
- River Galwan
- River Chang Celmo
The interesting fact about this river is that it forms a V shape around the ranges of Karakoram. But one of the negative points about this river is that over all catchments region of this river is depleted of vegetation growth. Some of the major human settlements around this river include Khapalu, Shukpa, Shyok, Siari and Kunzang.
River Chang Celmo
This river is a tributary of Shyok River that joins River Indus in the Ladakh Region. The origin of this river is from a huge glacier, located on the west slopes, Lanak La Pass. River Chang Celmo flows westwards besides the north bottom of an subsidiary range of Karakoram before merging in to River Shyok, which is located at a short space of Shukpa Kuzang.
Snow-bred high mountains enclose the valley of Chang Celmo from each sides. Shyok River goes down beside a chain of white water. A wide set down of deposits has been found along the riverbed. This River (Chang Celmo) completely freezes in the winter period. In the summer season all the snow melts and it gradually increases the volume of this river.
The valley of Chang Celmo is remote and bleak. Flora is meager. Pamzal is 1 of the habitats that have happened beside this river. The track from (Chushul to Lanak La) crosses this gorge.
River Chipshap
Chipshap River is Stream of River Shyok, that in turn bonds with River Indus in Ladakh. It mounts from a ice mass occupied in a corrie on the plains of Despang plains in northeastern Ladakh.
Subsequently it flows besides the (western slopes) of the, Sasser La pass prior to amalgamating River Shyok close to the second convergence with River Galwan.
Diminutive glaciers within valleys open into major dale glacier whose muzzle mount up to River Chipshap. The dissolved waters commencing these glaciers unite the main watercourse at diverse stages. The gorge base is comparatively gentle other than the side of the gradient are steep. River Chipshap tumbles down over a sequence of white water and diminutive waterfalls. A foremost snow-fed stream surges into the core river presently as it commences to seize a U-turn. Western gradient of Sasser La pass makes up very vertical and expand right straight to the bottom of the river. Grounds are speckled over the floor of the valley.
Almost no vegetation subsists in this part of the area of the River Chipshap. The track from (Sasser La – Karakoram pass) passes the valley of Chipshap.
Galwan
River Galwan is a very important upstream of River, which finally pours in to River Shyok located in the (northeastern part) of Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir. The major tributary of Shyok River rises close to the (Depsang plain) at a height of more than 5,000 m. The centre of derivation of the wide rivers, Chipshap and Galwan are close to each other.
River Galwan then trails course of southwesterly winds before amalgamating with River Chipshap. One more waterway of River Galwan River approaches commencing the east direction. This river is nourished by many snow-fed watercourses instigating from ice masses lying beyond. They outline a channel of tributary before amalgamating with River Galwan, a petite upriver of their union with River Chipshap.
The whole structural area of Shyok River is frozen. Lots of ice slide down from the snowy mountains. You will not find any kind of vegetation there as well as no habitation of human, as it is very remote and desolate. The water level rises in the summer season as the snow melts.
Nubra River
River Nubra is a stream of River Shyok that also flows in River Indus located in the Ladakh area, Jammu and Kashmir. This is one of the snows fed rivers that come out from the ice masses. The direction of this river is southeast and finally joins River Shyok.
Almost each and every part of the Nubra Valley is nestled with old glaciers that have now moved away. The bottom of the valley is placed at a height of more than 4,000m.Nubra valley is full of alluvial deposits that has been brought by this river over the ages. You will find many waterfalls all across this enchanting Nubra Valley.
This valley is also depleted of any vegetation growth due to its height and no rainfall.
River Saltoro
River Saltoro is a stream of River Hushe that also pours in River Shyok .This River rises from one of the glaciers, placed at the middle of Saltoro Kangri Peak, Ladakh. The main streams flow from the northwestern direction. River Saltoro flows in for lesser time and eventually pours in to Hughes River. Each and every part of this valley is full of action with glaciers melting very fast and the water level rising at a tremendous speed. Especially in the summer months, the level of water rises at an alarming speed, raising concern between the environmentalists. As usual, habitation of human is totally absent over here due to its remote and secluded locales.