| Shyok River | |||||
| Name Etymology: | "the river of death" | ||||
| Map: | Shyok.png | ||||
| Map Size: | 280px | ||||
| Subdivision Type1: | Country | ||||
| Subdivision Name1: | India, Pakistan | ||||
| Subdivision Type2: | Territory | ||||
| Subdivision Name2: | Ladakh (India), Gilgit-Baltistan (Pakistan) | ||||
| Subdivision Type3: | District | ||||
| Subdivision Name3: | Leh (India), Ghanche (Pakistan) | ||||
| Discharge1 Location: | Yugo gauging station, Pakistan.[1] | ||||
| Discharge1 Min: | 859 m3/sec | ||||
| Discharge1 Avg: | 1041 m3/sec | ||||
| Discharge1 Max: | 1199 m3/sec | ||||
| Mouth: | Indus River | ||||
| River System: | Indus River | ||||
| Tributaries Right: | Nubra River | ||||
| Extra: |
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The Shyok River is a tributary of the Indus River that flows through northern Ladakh and enters Gilgit–Baltistan, in Pakistan, spanning some 550km (340miles).
The Shyok River originates at the Rimo Glacier. Its alignment is very unusual. Originating from the Rimo glacier, it flows in a southeasterly direction and, joining the Pangong Range, it takes a northwestern turn, flowing parallel to its previous path. Shyok Valley widens at the confluence with the Nubra River but suddenly turns into a narrow gorge near Yagulung (34.77°N 77.14°W), continuing through Bogdang, Turtuk[2] and Tyakshi before crossing into Baltistan. The valley again widens near its Saltoro River junction at Ghursay. The river joins the Indus at Keris, east of the town of Skardu.[3] [4]
The Nubra River, originating from the Siachen glacier, also behaves like the Shyok. Before Diskit, the southeasterly flowing Nubra takes a northwest turn on meeting the river Shyok. The similarity in the courses of these two important rivers probably indicates a series of paleolithic fault lines trending northwest-southeast in delimiting the upper courses of the rivers.
The name Shyok (or Shayog) is derived from Tibetan ཤག་མ (shag) 'gravel' + གཡོག་ (gyog) 'to spread' and therefore means 'gravel spreader', referring to the large quantities of gravel that the river deposits when it floods.[5] The name is sometimes incorrectly glossed as 'river of death'.[6]
The Shyok Valley is the valley of the Shyok River. It is near the Nubra Valley.Khardung La on the Ladakh Range lies north of Leh and is the gateway to the Shyok and Nubra valleys. The Siachen Glacier lies partway up the latter valley.
The Chang Chen Mo River is formed in the vicinity of Pamzal in Changchinmo plains of Ladakh and flows westward. It ends when it empties into the Shyok River.
The Galwan River is in the southern part of Aksai Chin, Galwan originates in the area of Samzungling and flowing to the west which joins the Shyok River.
The Nubra River is a tributary of the Shyok River, which flows into the Indus River. It flows in the Ladakh region of India.
The Saltoro River begins in the skirts of the Saltoro Kangri peak ridge and flows to the southwest. Another branch starts from the western Siachen glaciers and flows to the west to join it at Dumsum village. North of the Ghursay Valley, it meets Mashburm Peak's Hushe River and empties into Shyok River in southwest.
Siachen Base Camp tourist adventure, many monasteries, Pangong Tso etc. are tourism opportunities.