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The Suru Valley is formed by the catchment are of the
SuruRiver, which rises from the Panzella glacier. On its way to the
confluence with the Indus River at Nurla, it is joined by numerous
tributaries, including the Dras (also spelt as Drass)
River, which flows into the Suru River at Kharul.
The general topography is as rugged and mountainous as most of
Ladakh . However, the
Suru Valley is relatively more fertile. It extends from the Panzella
glacier to south of Kargil town, where the Suru
River merges with the Botkul River rising from the Botkul glacier.
A Rough Weather
The average elevation of the Suru valley is 3,000 m. Winters are very
severe and heavy and frequent snowfalls occur, though the Suru Valley does
not become as inhospitable as the Drass Valley. The cold season begins
around mid-November and usually continues till May. During this period,
most of the valley is covered with a thick layer of snow.
As the snow melts, the water becomes muddy, often attaining a darkish
hue, which is quite a contrast with its normal bluish-green shade. The
color becomes normal in early September when the melting of the snow in
the uplands slows down considerably. The summer season begins in May and
it becomes warm fairly quickly. Vegetation growth picks up rapidly. The
summer season lasts relatively longer than in other parts of
Ladakh .
Occupation
Agriculture is the main source of livelihood for the people of this
valley. In many parts of the Suru Valley, two crops can be harvested each
year whereas in many parts of Ladakh raising even one crop a year may not
always be possible when summer starts late or there is early snowfall.
The main crops raised by the people of Suru Valley are wheat, barley and
millets. Improved varieties of wheat have recently been introduced. This
has helped to increase the production of cereals. Some of the vegetables
grown here are turnip, radish, peas and black peas. Grapes, apricots and
melons are produced in fairly large quantities at Darchik and Garkoon
along thelower course of the Indus through Ladakh. These find a
readymarket in Kargil. Liquor is made from
grapes.
Seasons In The Sun
The summer season begins to end in mid-September as the sun's warmth
decreases. The autumn season is short and the hours of sunlight become
shorter. As the sun goes down below the surrounding high hills, it seems
as if mid-afternoon has turned into dusk. Winter is severe and snowfall is
frequent. The temperatures quickly drop down to below freezing point.
The people living in the Suru Valley are the Baltis. They are a mixture
of the Dards from Dardistan and the Mongoloids from Tibet.
Kargil
Kargil is the most important town in the Suru Valley. It is the
headquarters of Kargil District and has the most modern amenities,
although not of the level of those found in the plains of India.