[34

INDIA

which but a very small outflow permeates the retaining
wall of débris into the lower course of the river. In due
time this barrier gives way to the pressure caused by the
influence of floods in the upper branches of the river
pasin, and with terrific violence the escaping torrents pour

INDUS
RIVER BASIN.

200 MILES

1G. 40.

down through their usual waterway, carrying everything
before them with resistless force. Then the lower valleys
become inundated, and lives are lost and property destroyed
 ere the river resumes its normal level again.
The source of the Indus (as already pointed out) lies
in a lacustrine region in Western Tibet, from whence
also issue the first beginnings of the Sutlej and the Brah-