Jhelum River: The Major River Crossing the Potohar Plateau

The **Jhelum River** (Vitastā in Sanskrit, Hydaspes to Greeks) is the **only major river traversing the Potohar Plateau** in Punjab, Pakistan.

Course Through Potohar

• Source: Verinag Spring, Kashmir Valley (Indian-administered J&K)
• Enters Pakistan: Near Uri; flows through Kashmir Valley
• Potohar entry: At Domel (Muzaffarabad) — leaves Himalaya, enters plateau
• Traverse: Flows southwest across Potohar — Muzaffarabad, Kohala, Kotli, Mirpur, Mangla
• Mangla Dam: 1967; 1.2M acre-ft reservoir; 1,000 MW hydro; major flow regulation
• Exit plateau: Near Dina/Jhelum city; enters Punjab plains
• Confluence: Joins Chenab at Trimmu (near Jhang) → Panjnad → Indus

Significance

• Five Rivers of Punjab: Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Beas, Sutlej — "Punjab" = "Five Waters"
• Indus Waters Treaty (1960): Jhelum allocated to **Pakistan** (western rivers)
• Hydropower: Mangla (1,000 MW), Chakothi, Kohala, Azad Pattan (planned)
• Irrigation: Upper Jhelum Canal, Lower Jhelum Canal — millions of hectares
• Tourism: Neelum Valley, Mangla Lake, river rafting (Kohala to Mangla)

Potohar Plateau Context

• Area: ~22,000 km²; elevation 300-600 m
• Geology: Eroded Siwalik sediments; dissected by ravines (khads)
• Other streams: Soan, Haro, Kahan — smaller, seasonal; Jhelum is the only perennial major river