The Indus Plains

The Indus plains

A vast, less steep and comparatively even surface is called a plain.
Introduction
• Formed by River Indus and its tributaries and is located to the east and south of the Western Mountains.
• Spread over a very vast area in the provinces of Punjab & Sindh that extends up to the Arabian Sea (till the point of Thatta)
• Northern part (Punjab) is Upper Indus Plain and southern part (Sindh) is Lower Indus Plain.
• The River Indus and its tributaries drain the plains.

THE GEOGRAPHIC REGIONS OF INDUS PLAINS

ACTIVE FLOOD OLD FLOOD PLAINS ALLUVIAL DELTAIC PLAINS PIEDMONT PLAINS
PLAINS TERRACES
A narrow strip Located between the Active Alluvial A Delta is a triangular Piedmont means ‘at the foot of
of land on either Flood Plains and Alluvial terraces have shaped area formed at the mountains’. These are
side of the River Terraces and are inundated developed in the mouth of a river. It is gentle slopes leading from the
Indus and its main after every 7-8 years in case some doabs of located to the south of base of mountains to flat land
tributaries. They of heavy summer Monsoon the UIP. It’s a Thatta in Sindh. areas. Most important plains
are inundated i.e. rainfall. It’s a main higher place In area it’s the 7th largest have developed at the base of
flooded every agriculture region because on a doab and delta in the world. The the Sulaiman - Kirthar
year in the covered with alluvial soil. Its is separated flood waters and rains Mountain. Although it is a very
monsoon season flatness is interrupted by from the OFP have had a positive fertile region, rainfall is scant
and is covered the limestone cliffs called by the Scarp. effect on this region, and unreliable and rain-fed
with rich alluvium CUESTAS of Khairpur and Its usually 5M- allowing the mangroves agriculture takes place here. A
called ‘Khadar’ or Gango Takkar at Hyderabad 15 M high. Its to grow, and supporting number of small piedmont
‘bet’ which makes which provide raw material the main marine life for which the plains are found in northern
them excellent for cement industries in the center of mangroves are a nursery. Punjab.
for agriculture. Its region. Its landmarks human activity This deltaic region is very
topographical include Meanders scars, and important for Pakistan's
features include remains of Oxbow lakes and settlements ecosystem and must be

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meanders, Oxbow old Levees. preserved.

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lakes and Levees.

Rutaba Irfan
The Indus Plains

Glossary of Terms

1. Doab: A land between the two rivers

2. Meanders: curves and bends in the course of a river
3. Oxbow lakes: s’ shaped or horseshoe shaped lakes
4. Levees: raised edges of a river. They are only a little higher than a river.
5. Cuesta: It has a steep slope on one side and a gentle slope on the other side
6. Delta: A Delta is a triangular shaped area formed at the mouth of a river. It is located to the south of Thatta in
Sindh.
7. Piedmont Plains / Plateau: Piedmont means ‘at the foot of the mountains’. These are gentle slopes leading
from the base of mountains to flat land areas.
8. Intermontane Plateau : A plateau that is completely or partially covered by a mountain.

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Rutaba Irfan