Hunza River
River in Pakistan
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Hunza River (Urdu: دریائے ہنزہ) is the main river flowing across the Hunza Valley in the Pakistan-administered territory of Gilgit-Baltistan. It is formed by the confluence of the Chapursan and Khunjerab nalas (streams) which are fed by glaciers. It drains into the Gilgit River, which in turn flows into the Indus River.
| Hunza River | |
|---|---|
Hunza river near Gulmit | |
 | |
  Location within Gilgit Baltistan  Location within Pakistan | |
| Location | |
| Country | Pakistan |
| Province | Gilgit-Baltistan |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Mouth | |
• location | Gilgit River |
• coordinates | 35°55′N 74°22′E |
Basin size | 13,733 km2 (5,302 sq mi) |
| Discharge | |
| • location | Danyor Gauging Station |
| • average | 323 m3/s (11,400 cu ft/s) |
Course
The river cuts through the Karakoram Range, flowing from north to south. The Karakoram Highway (N-35) runs along the Hunza River Valley, switching to the Khunjerab River Valley at the point of confluence, eventually reaching the Khunjerab Pass at the border with China at Xinjiang.[1]
Hydrology
The catchment area of Hunza River is 13,733 km2 (5,302 sq mi) while its mean annual discharge is 323 m3/s (11,400 cu ft/s). It is a major tributary of Gilgit River.[1] The river is dammed for part of its route.[2]
The Attabad landslide disaster in January 2010 completely blocked the Hunza River. The blocked river created a lake — called the Attabad Lake or Gojal Lake,[3] which extended 30 kilometers and rose to a depth of 400 feet (approximately 122 meters).[4] The landslide completely covered sections of the Karakoram Highway.[4]
