JAMMU & KASHMIR GEOGRAPHY
Physiography · Climate · Drainage System
Quick notes + statement-based practice for JKSSB FAA · Sub-Inspector (SI) · other exams
NOTE Ladakh became a separate Union Territory on 31 Oct 2019. Many exam questions still cover 'erstwhile J&K', so Ladakh facts (Indus, Karakoram, cold desert) are included and marked. |
1. PHYSIOGRAPHY
Physiographic Divisions
Division | Location | Key Features |
Trans-Himalaya / Karakoram (Ladakh) | North of Great Himalaya (Ladakh, Kargil) | Cold desert; Karakoram, Ladakh & Zanskar ranges; Siachen glacier; Nun (7,135 m) & Kun (7,077 m) |
Great Himalaya (Himadri) | North-east boundary of Kashmir Valley | Zoji La; Amarnath cave & peak; Harmukh (5,142 m); Kolahoi (5,425 m); permanent snow |
Kashmir Valley | Between Pir Panjal and Great Himalaya | Oval-shaped, ~140 km long, ~40 km wide; avg height ~1,600-1,850 m; Jhelum basin; Karewas; lakes |
Pir Panjal (Middle Himalaya) | South-west of Kashmir Valley | Largest range of lower Himalaya; Banihal, Pir Panjal pass, Razdan; Tatakuti (4,742 m) highest peak |
Outer Himalaya / Shiwaliks | Jammu region, southern belt | Low hills (up to ~1,000 m); Kandi belt and Sirowal plains; Jammu, Kathua, Samba, Udhampur |
Key Features
- Karewas: lacustrine (lake) deposits of Kashmir Valley, called 'Udars' locally; ideal for saffron (Pampore), almond, walnut, apple.
- Pir Panjal: separates Kashmir Valley from the Jammu plains; formed of Panjal Traps; cut by the Jhelum at Baramulla gorge.
- Kandi belt: foothill belt of Shiwaliks with coarse sediments, water scarcity, gully erosion.
- Sirowal: southern plain belt of Jammu region, relatively fertile.
- Kashmir Valley formed by uplift of Pir Panjal that blocked drainage, creating a big lake (Karewas = its deposits).
- Gurez, Lidder, Sindh, Lolab, Tilail, Bangus, Warwan, Marwah are major sub-valleys; Bhaderwah is called 'Chota Kashmir'.
Important Mountain Passes
Pass | Height (approx) | Connects / Remark |
Banihal | 2,832 m | Jammu to Kashmir Valley (Pir Panjal); Jawahar & Navyug (Banihal-Qazigund) tunnels |
Pir Panjal (Pir ki Gali) | 3,490 m | Mughal Road: Bufliaz (Poonch) to Shopian |
Razdan | 3,300 m | Bandipora to Gurez valley |
Zoji La | 3,528 m | Srinagar to Kargil-Leh (Great Himalaya); NH-1 |
Burzil | ~4,100 m | Kashmir to Gilgit (Astore) |
Sinthan Top | 3,748 m | Anantnag to Kishtwar |
Khardung La (Ladakh) | 5,359 m | Leh to Nubra valley |
Fotu La / Namika La | ~4,100 / 3,700 m | Srinagar-Leh highway, Ladakh |
Peaks, Glaciers & Lakes
- Peaks: Nun (7,135 m) and Kun (7,077 m) in Suru/Zanskar; Kolahoi (5,425 m) highest in Kashmir Himalaya; Harmukh (5,142 m); Amarnath (5,186 m). K2 and Nanga Parbat lie in PoK/Gilgit-Baltistan.
- Glaciers: Siachen (Karakoram, ~76 km, source of Nubra river); Kolahoi, Thajiwas, Machoi (near Zoji La; source of Sindh).
- Wular Lake: Bandipora; largest freshwater lake of India; tectonic origin; on the Jhelum.
- Dal Lake: Srinagar; Nigeen, Anchar nearby. Manasbal (Ganderbal): deepest lake of J&K.
- Alpine lakes: Gangabal (at foot of Harmukh), Vishansar, Krishansar, Tarsar-Marsar, Kounsarnag (Pir Panjal), Sheshnag.
- Jammu region lakes: Mansar, Surinsar (Ramsar wetland), Sanasar.
- Ladakh lakes: Pangong Tso, Tso Moriri, Tso Kar (brackish/saline).
Major Tunnels
- Jawahar Tunnel (Banihal) ~2.5 km; Navyug (Banihal-Qazigund) ~8.45 km.
- Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee (Chenani-Nashri) Tunnel ~9.2 km on NH-44, one of India's longest road tunnels.
- Sonamarg (Z-Morh) tunnel and Zojila tunnel: all-weather link to Ladakh.
2. CLIMATE
Region | Climate Type & Features |
Jammu (Shiwaliks, plains) | Sub-tropical; hot summers (40 °C+), monsoon rain Jul-Sep, mild winter. Highest rainfall in the UT. |
Kashmir Valley | Sub-Mediterranean / temperate; four distinct seasons; winter precipitation mainly through Western Disturbances; snowfall in winter. Srinagar annual rainfall ~650 mm. |
Pir Panjal / Great Himalaya | Alpine; heavy snowfall (Gulmarg, Sonamarg, Pahalgam); permanent snow above ~4,500 m. |
Ladakh & Kargil | Cold desert; rain-shadow of Great Himalaya; very low rainfall (Leh ~100 mm); Drass among coldest inhabited places. |
Seasons of Kashmir Valley
Season | Months | Local Name | Remark |
Spring | Mar to May | Sonth | Almond & apple blossom, tulip garden |
Summer | Jun to Aug | Retkal | Pleasant; tourist season |
Autumn | Sep to Nov | Harud | Chinar turns red; saffron blooms Oct-Nov |
Winter | Dec to Feb | Wandh | Snowfall, frozen lakes |
The 'Chillai' Periods
Period | Duration | Remark |
Chillai Kalan | 21 Dec to 29 Jan (40 days) | Harshest winter; heaviest snowfall, Dal Lake may freeze |
Chillai Khurd | 30 Jan to 18 Feb (20 days) | Cold continues, snowfall decreases |
Chillai Bacha | 19 Feb to 1 Mar (10 days) | 'Baby cold'; end of winter |
- Western Disturbances: extratropical storms from the Mediterranean; give winter rain/snow to Kashmir, vital for rabi crops and glaciers.
- Monsoon: weak in Kashmir (rain-shadow of Pir Panjal), strong in Jammu region.
- Temperature falls with altitude; Pahalgam, Gulmarg, Sonamarg are cool in summer.
- Banihal/Pir Panjal windward slopes get more precipitation than the Kashmir Valley.
3. DRAINAGE SYSTEM
All major rivers of J&K belong to the Indus river system (flowing to the Arabian Sea).
River | Origin | Course & Notes |
Indus | Bokhar Chu glacier near Mansarovar, Tibet | Enters India near Demchok; flows through Leh; Zanskar joins at Nimmu, Suru near Kargil, Shyok in Gilgit-Baltistan; leaves India toward Pakistan. Ladakh's lifeline. |
Jhelum (Vitasta) | Verinag spring, Pir Panjal (Anantnag) | Flows through Srinagar, Wular Lake, Baramulla; enters PoK/Pakistan. Tributaries: Lidder, Sindh, Rambiara, Vishav, Dudhganga, Pohru, Kishanganga (Neelum). |
Chenab (Chandrabhaga) | Chandra + Bhaga meet at Tandi (Lahaul, HP) | Enters J&K at Kishtwar; flows through Doda, Ramban, Reasi, Akhnoor; enters Pakistan. Tributaries: Marusudar, Tawi, Neeru. |
Tawi | Pir Panjal (Doda-Bhaderwah area) | Jammu city lies on its banks; tributary of Chenab; Udhampur-Jammu course. |
Ravi | Himachal (Bara Bhangal) | Touches Kathua district; forms part of boundary; tributary Ujh (Ujh project). Basantar & Deg are other Jammu streams. |
Suru, Zanskar, Shyok, Nubra | Ladakh Himalaya / Karakoram | Tributaries of Indus. Nubra from Siachen glacier; Zanskar river is an important winter 'Chadar trek' route. |
Indus Waters Treaty (1960)
- Signed between India and Pakistan with World Bank as mediator.
- Eastern rivers (Ravi, Beas, Sutlej): exclusive use by India.
- Western rivers (Indus, Jhelum, Chenab): Pakistan; India allowed limited use: domestic, non-consumptive, run-of-river hydropower and restricted irrigation.
- India put the treaty 'in abeyance' in April 2025; check current status for the latest.
Major Hydropower Projects
Project | River | District | Capacity |
Salal | Chenab | Reasi | 690 MW |
Baglihar | Chenab | Ramban | 900 MW |
Dul Hasti | Chenab | Kishtwar | 390 MW |
Pakal Dul | Marusudar (Chenab) | Kishtwar | 1,000 MW (under construction) |
Uri-I | Jhelum | Baramulla | 480 MW |
Kishanganga | Kishanganga (Neelum) | Bandipora | 330 MW |
Nimoo Bazgo / Chutak | Indus / Suru | Leh / Kargil | 45 MW / 44 MW |
Wetlands
- Ramsar sites (J&K): Wular, Hokersar, Surinsar-Mansar, Shallbugh, Hygam (Ladakh: Tso Moriri, Tso Kar).
- Hokersar is called the 'Queen of Wetlands' of Kashmir.
4. HIGH-YIELD ONE-LINERS
REMEMBER Highest peak in Kashmir Himalaya: Kolahoi (5,425 m). Nun (7,135 m) is in Suru/Zanskar (Ladakh). Largest freshwater lake of India: Wular. Deepest lake of J&K: Manasbal. Jhelum originates at Verinag. Chenab = Chandra + Bhaga at Tandi. Tawi flows by Jammu city. Chillai Kalan = 40 days (21 Dec - 29 Jan). Local seasons: Sonth, Retkal, Harud, Wandh. Karewas = lacustrine deposits of Kashmir Valley. Pampore saffron grows on Karewas. Zoji La: Srinagar-Ladakh. Banihal: Jammu-Kashmir. Khardung La: Leh-Nubra. Siachen: Karakoram glacier, source of Nubra river. All J&K rivers belong to the Indus system. |
5. PRACTICE QUESTIONS (JKSSB PATTERN - STATEMENT BASED)
Pattern-based questions for FAA / SI level on the same themes JKSSB tests. Answers with explanations are in the key at the end.
Q1. Consider the statements about Karewas:
1. They are lacustrine deposits of the Kashmir Valley.
2. They are suitable for saffron, almond and walnut.
3. They are found mainly in the Jammu foothills.
a) 1 and 2 only
b) 2 and 3 only
c) 1 and 3 only
d) 1, 2 and 3
Q2. Consider the statements about the Pir Panjal range:
1. It is the largest range of the lower Himalaya in J&K.
2. Banihal pass cuts through it.
3. It lies between the Kashmir Valley and the Great Himalaya.
a) 1 and 2 only
b) 2 and 3 only
c) 1 and 3 only
d) 1, 2 and 3
Q3. Consider the statements about the Jhelum:
1. It rises from Verinag spring.
2. It flows through the Wular Lake.
3. Zanskar is its tributary.
a) 1 and 2 only
b) 2 and 3 only
c) 1 and 3 only
d) 1, 2 and 3
Q4. Consider the statements about the Tawi:
1. Jammu city lies on its banks.
2. It is a tributary of the Chenab.
3. It originates in Ladakh.
a) 1 and 2 only
b) 2 and 3 only
c) 1 and 3 only
d) 1, 2 and 3
Q5. Consider the statements about climate:
1. Kashmir Valley has a sub-Mediterranean type climate.
2. Ladakh is a cold desert due to rain-shadow.
3. Jammu receives rain only from Western Disturbances.
a) 1 and 2 only
b) 2 and 3 only
c) 1 and 3 only
d) 1, 2 and 3
Q6. Consider the statements about Chillai Kalan:
1. It lasts 40 days.
2. It begins on 21 December.
3. It is followed by Chillai Khurd of 20 days.
a) 1 and 2 only
b) 2 and 3 only
c) 1 and 3 only
d) 1, 2 and 3
Q7. Consider the statements about the Indus River:
1. It enters India near Demchok.
2. Zanskar river joins it near Nimmu.
3. It passes through the Kashmir Valley.
a) 1 and 2 only
b) 2 and 3 only
c) 1 and 3 only
d) 1, 2 and 3
Q8. Consider the statements about Wular Lake:
1. It is the largest freshwater lake of India.
2. It is of tectonic origin.
3. It is located in Anantnag district.
a) 1 and 2 only
b) 2 and 3 only
c) 1 and 3 only
d) 1, 2 and 3
Q9. Consider the statements about passes:
1. Zoji La connects Srinagar and Ladakh.
2. Banihal connects Jammu with the Kashmir Valley.
3. Khardung La is located in Kargil district.
a) 1 and 2 only
b) 2 and 3 only
c) 1 and 3 only
d) 1, 2 and 3
Q10. Consider the statements about Siachen glacier:
1. It is located in the Karakoram range.
2. It is the source of Nubra river.
3. It is the longest glacier of the world outside polar regions.
a) 1 and 2 only
b) 2 and 3 only
c) 1 and 3 only
d) 1, 2 and 3
Q11. Consider the statements about the Indus Waters Treaty (1960):
1. It was signed with World Bank mediation.
2. Ravi, Beas and Sutlej were allotted to India.
3. Jhelum and Chenab were allotted to India for unrestricted use.
a) 1 and 2 only
b) 2 and 3 only
c) 1 and 3 only
d) 1, 2 and 3
Q12. Consider the statements about hydropower projects:
1. Salal is on the Chenab in Reasi.
2. Uri is on the Jhelum.
3. Baglihar is on the Ravi.
a) 1 and 2 only
b) 2 and 3 only
c) 1 and 3 only
d) 1, 2 and 3
Q13. Consider the statements about lakes:
1. Manasbal is in Ganderbal district.
2. Mansar lake is in the Jammu region.
3. Gangabal lies at the foot of Mount Harmukh.
a) 1 and 2 only
b) 2 and 3 only
c) 1 and 3 only
d) 1, 2 and 3
Q14. Consider the statements about the Kandi belt:
1. It is the foothill belt of the Shiwaliks in Jammu.
2. It has coarse sediments and water scarcity.
3. Sirowal is the southern plain adjoining it.
a) 1 and 2 only
b) 2 and 3 only
c) 1 and 3 only
d) 1, 2 and 3
Q15. Consider the statements:
1. Kolahoi is the highest peak of the Kashmir Himalaya.
2. The Lidder river originates near the Kolahoi glacier.
3. Kolahoi is located in Kishtwar district.
a) 1 and 2 only
b) 2 and 3 only
c) 1 and 3 only
d) 1, 2 and 3
Q16. Assertion (A): Ladakh is a cold desert.
Reason (R): It lies in the rain-shadow of the Great Himalaya.
a) Both A and R true, R explains A
b) Both A and R true, R does not explain A
c) A true, R false
d) A false, R true
Q17. Assertion (A): Kashmir Valley gets rain/snow in winter.
Reason (R): Western Disturbances bring winter precipitation.
a) Both A and R true, R explains A
b) Both A and R true, R does not explain A
c) A true, R false
d) A false, R true
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
Q No. | Answer | Explanation |
Q1 | a) | Karewas are Kashmir Valley lake deposits (Udars); not in Jammu foothills. |
Q2 | a) | Pir Panjal lies south-west of the valley, between the valley and the Jammu plains. |
Q3 | a) | Zanskar is a tributary of the Indus. |
Q4 | a) | Tawi rises in Pir Panjal (Doda-Bhaderwah area), not Ladakh. |
Q5 | a) | Jammu gets mainly monsoon rain (Jul-Sep). |
Q6 | d) | All three are correct. |
Q7 | a) | Indus flows through Ladakh, not the Kashmir Valley. |
Q8 | a) | Wular is in Bandipora. |
Q9 | a) | Khardung La is in Leh district (Leh to Nubra). |
Q10 | a) | Siachen is among the longest outside polar areas, but not the longest (Fedchenko is longer). |
Q11 | a) | India has only limited uses on the western rivers. |
Q12 | a) | Baglihar is on the Chenab (Ramban). |
Q13 | d) | All three are correct. |
Q14 | d) | All three are correct. |
Q15 | a) | Kolahoi is in Anantnag-Ganderbal (Lidder valley). |
Q16 | a) | Moisture-bearing winds are blocked by the Himalaya. |
Q17 | a) | Western Disturbances are the main source of winter precipitation. |
EXAM TIP For statement-based questions, find the one false statement first. Usual traps: swapping rivers/lakes with districts, passes with districts, and Ladakh vs Kashmir facts. |
