Sutlej

The Sutlej, also known as Satluj, is a major river of the northwestern Indian subcontinent. It is one of the five rivers of the Punjab and a principal tributary of the Indus. The river originates on the Tibetan Plateau, commonly cited as the area around Lake Rakshastal, and flows for about 1,450 kilometers (900 miles) through India and Pakistan before joining the Indus.

Course and geography: The Sutlej enters India in the Himachal Pradesh region and traverses parts of the state (including Kinnaur) before crossing into the Indian state of Punjab. It then crosses the border into Pakistan’s Punjab and ultimately links with the Indus. The river's basin supports extensive agricultural and urban water use across both countries, feeding irrigation networks and hydropower facilities.

Hydrology and infrastructure: The Sutlej hosts major engineering projects, including the Bhakra Dam and related Bhakra-Nangal facilities in Himachal Pradesh, which provide irrigation and hydroelectric power for northern India. The river's waters have been central to irrigation planning in the Punjab region, aiding crops such as wheat and rice.

Interstate and international arrangements: Under the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960, the Beas, Ravi, and Sutlej rivers are allocated to India for irrigation and power, while the Chenab, Jhelum, and Indus are allocated to Pakistan. The treaty has shaped development and legal debates over water management, including proposals for inter-basin transfers such as the Sutlej-Yamuna Link canal, which have faced delays and disputes.

Etymology: The name Sutlej derives from Sanskrit Satadru, with local Punjabi usage often rendering the name as Satluj.