Glacier
A large mass of frozen ice in mountain valleys that moves down the slope is called glacier. Glaciers are formed in areas of high altitude, due to low temperatures and snowfall. Pakistan is located in the sub- tropical climatic zone which does not usually get much cold and rain. But the northern and northeastern areas of Pakistan with the highest mountains of the world like Himalayas, Karakoram and Hindukush remain covered with snow the whole year. There are some of the largest glaciers of the world in these mountain ranges, which are as follows:
Diagram image pending upload by Admin.
Siachen Glacier
The word Siachen is taken from the Balti language, which means wild rose. This plant grows in large number on this glacier, so people of Baltistan call it Siachen. Its length is 72km . It is located in Karakoram range.
Baitoro Glacier
Baitoro Glacier is located in Baltistan. Its length is 58km . The famous K- 2 peak is also located in the same glacier. The Braldu River also originates from the same glacier and falls into river Indus. This glacier can be accessed from Skardu city.
Batora Glacier
Batora Glacier is 58km long. It is located in Gojal Valley in Gilgit Baltistan.
Biafo Glacier
Biafo Glacier is located in the mountains of Karakoram range. Its length is 62km and is connected with Hisper Glacier which is located in Hunza Valley.
Hisper Glacier
Hisper Glacier is located in Baltistan, northern area of Pakistan. This glacier is 61km long. The river Hisper originates from the same glacier.
Glaciers are the largest source of fresh water in the world, including Pakistan.
Importance of Glaciers
Importance of GlaciersThe mountains of Karakoram Range located in Pakistan are one of the most glaciated areas in the world. The fresh water of these glaciers flows into rivers, in the form of springs and drains. The rivers which flow in Pakistan originate from these glaciers. Several lakes are found in the areas of these glaciers. Out of these, Saif- ul- Malook, Satpara and Shandur are the important lakes. These lakes have greatly enhanced the beauty of this area, which makes this area attractive for tourism.
Rivers of Pakistan
The system of rivers in Pakistan is based on the eastern and western tributaries of river Indus which consists of the rivers of Punjab, Gilgit- Baltistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sindh, Balochistan and Azad Kashmir. These rivers irrigate the land of our country.
Indus River and its Tributaries
Indus River and its TributariesRiver Indus is the largest river in Pakistan. This river originates from Tibet (China) and flows through Gilgit Baltistan and enters Punjab at Attack. There after it flows from north to south and enters Sindh. The rest of rivers of the Punjab join river Indus at Mithan Kot. From here, river Indus flows to the south through the province of Sindh and falls into the Arabian Sea. Many tributaries of the river Indus join from the right and left. The rivers that join river Indus from the left are called the eastern tributaries because they mostly come from the east.
Eastern Tributaries of River Indus
River Ravi
River RaviRiver Ravi originates from the Himalayas. It enters the province of Punjab from Shakargharh Tehsil of Narowal district and starts flowing towards Lahore. Lahore, the capital of the Punjab, is situated on the bank of river Ravi.