Hunza River



Hunza River is the principal river within the Hunza region in Gilgit–Baltistan, Pakistan. It is formed by the confluence of the Chapursan and Khunjerab nalas (gorges) which are fed by glaciers. It is also joined by the Gilgit River and the Naltar River, before it flows into the Indus River.

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.

The river is dammed for part of its route.

The Attabad landslide disaster in January 2010 completely blocked the Hunza Valley. The blocked Hunza River created a lake — called the Attabad Lake or Gojal Lake, which extended 30 kilometers and rose to a depth of 400 feet (approximately 122 meters). The landslide completely covered sections of the Karakoram Highway.

The Hunza River is being affected by the climate change.