Dras River

Dras River
Dras River
The confluence of the Dras River with the Suru River
Location
Country	India
Union Territory	Ladakh
District	Kargil
Physical characteristics
Source	34°16′20″N 75°31′47″E / 34.272303°N 75.529832°E / 34.272303; 75.529832
• location	Machoi Glacier near Zojila
• elevation	4,400 m (14,400 ft)
Mouth	34°35′41″N 76°07′13″E / 34.5946°N 76.1202°E / 34.5946; 76.1202
• location	Suru River at Kharul Kargil
• elevation	3,618 m (11,870 ft)
Length	86 km (53 mi)
Discharge
• average	212 m3/s (7,500 cu ft/s)

The Dras River, also spelt Drass River, is a river in the Kargil district in the Indian union territory of Ladakh. It originates below the Zoji La pas in the Great Himalayan range and flows northeast towards Kargil, where it joins the Suru River. The Shingo River, which flows in a parallel direction in Pakistan-administered Baltistan, also joins the Dras River. The combined river is alternatively called Suru, Drass and Shingo by various local groups.

The Dras River valley is traversed by the National Highway 1D that connects Srinagar in Kashmir with Leh in Ladakh. It represents a historic trade route.