KERALA PSC / KERALA GEOGRAPHY / RIVERS OF KERALA / NOTES / OBJECTIVE QUESTIONS / STUDY MATERIALS / GENERAL KNOWLEDGE

 

KERALA PSC / KERALA GEOGRAPHY / RIVERS OF KERALA / NOTES / OBJECTIVE QUESTIONS / STUDY MATERIALS / GENERAL KNOWLEDGE

KERALA PSC / KERALA GEOGRAPHY / RIVERS OF KERALA / NOTES / OBJECTIVE QUESTIONS / STUDY MATERIALS / GENERAL KNOWLEDGE

·      Kerala has 44 rivers of which 41 are west flowing and 3 east flowing. The west flowing rivers flow down the land and join the Arabian Sea or the backwater lakes which opens into the sea.

·      The most important of Kerala’s forty-four rivers include the Periyar (244 km in length), the Bharathapuzha (209 km), the Pamba (176 km), the Chalakudy Puzha (144 km), the Kadalundipuzha (130 km) and the Achancoil (128 km). All others are small and entirely fed by the monsoons.

·      Three rivers, the Kabani, Bhavani and Pambar rise in Kerala and flow eastwards, Kabini into Karnataka and the other two into Tamil Nadu.

 

PERIYAR

·      Periyar is the longest river in the state of Kerala, with a length of 244 km. The Periyar is known as the Lifeline of Kerala.

·      Periyar originates from the Sivagiri hills of the Western Ghats range in Kerala. It flows north. Water is diverted from the lake into the Vaigai River in Tamil Nadu via a tunnel through the Western ghats.

·      From the lake, the river flows northwest through the village of Neeleswaram into Vembanad Lake and out to the Arabian Sea coast.

·      Its largest tributaries are the Muthirapuzha River, the Mullayar River, the Cheruthoni River, the Perinjankutti River and the Edamala River.

 

THE BHARATHAPUZHA

·      Also known as Nila, is a river in Kerala, with a length of 209 km.

·      It is the second-longest river in Kerala, after the Periyar River. It originates in the Anaimalai Hills in the Western Ghats, and flows westward through Palakkad Gap, across Palakkad, Thrissur and Malappuram districts.

·      At Parli both Kannadipuzha and Kalpathipuzha merge and flow as Bharathapuzha and follows a westerly course until it empties into the Arabian Sea at Ponnani.

·      The Bharathapuzha is extensively dammed and there are 11 reservoirs along the course of the river. Malampuzha dam is the largest among the reservoirs built across Bharathapuzha.

 

PAMBA RIVER

·      Pamba River is the third longest river in Kerala and the longest river in the erstwhile princely state of Travancore.

·      Sabarimala temple dedicated to Lord Ayyappa is located on the banks of the river Pamba.

·      River Pamba is considered as the Dakshina Ganga of Kerala (Southern Ganges) due to its association with Kerala’s Largest Pilgrim Center –Sabarimala. The River Pamba enriches the lands of Pathanamthitta District and the Kuttanad area of Alappuzha District.

·      Pamba originates at Pulachimalai hill in the Peerumedu plateau in the Western Ghats, finally empties into the Vembanad Lake.

·      The river shares its northern boundary with the Manimala River basin, while it shares the southern boundary with the Achankovil river basin.

 

KADALUNDI RIVER

·      Kadalundi River originates from the Western Ghats at the Western border of the silent Valley and flows through the district of Malappuram. It has two main tributaries namely Olipuzha and Veliyar.

·      Kadalundi river that serves as a borderline between the Kozhikode and Malappuram districts is 130 km in length with a drainage area of 1099 sq.kms.

·      Kadalundi is also known by the names Karimpuzha and Oravanpurampuzha.

·      Kadalundipuzha merges into the Arabian Sea at Kadalundi estuary.

·      The Kadalundi Bird Sanctuary is situated nearby.

·      One of the ldest railway link, Kadalundi Bridge across the river, built by British over 140 years had collapsed in the year 2001 after a train accident.

 

ACHANKOVIL RIVER

·      The Achankovil river is formed towards the southern tip of the Peninsula.

·      This river enriches the Pathanamthitta district. It joins with the Pamba River at Veeyapuram, in Alappuzha.

·      The Achankovil Dam is built on this river.

·      Achankovil River is formed when the rivers like Rishimala, Pasukidamettu and Ramakkalteri Rivers meet. The river has a length of around 128 kms.

·      Some major towns located on the banks of the river include Pandalam, Mavelikkara, Padanilam, Punalur, Pathanapuram etc…

 

CHALAKUDI RIVER

·      Chalakudi River flows through Chalakudi in Thrissur district. This river has a length of around 145 kms and spread over the districts Palakkad, Thrissur and Ernakulam.

·      It is the fifth longest river in Kerala. The river originates from the Anamalai in Tamil Nadu.

·      The river is joined by several tributaries that have originated from Parambikulam, Sholayar, Karapara and Kuriyarkutti.

·      This river the joins with the Periyar river near Ernakulam and then empties into the Arabian Sea.

·      This river is famous for the two waterfalls namely Athirapally and Vazhachal waterfalls.

·      There are some Hydro electric projects on the Chalakudi River namely Sholayr Hydro Electric Project and Peringalkuttu Hydro Electric Project. There are about 7 dams built on the river.

 

CHALIYAR RIVER

·      Chaliyar River which has a length of 169 kms is the fourth longest river in Kerala. It is also called as Beypore River.

·      Chaliyar River originates from the Elambalari hills on the Western Ghats in Tamil Nadu. It flows through Wayanad, Malappuram and Kozhikode and empties into the Arabian Sea from Beypore.

·      Some of the tributaries of this river are Cherupuzha, Iruvajipuzha, Kuthirapuzha, Kuruvanpuzha, Karimpuzha, Pandipuzha etc…

·      The river does not get dried up even during summer season.

 

KALLADA RIVER

·      Kallada River flows through Kollam district. This river originates from the Kulathupuzha hills near Ponmudi.

·      This river which has a length of 121 kms flows through the places Pathanapuram, Kunnathur, Kottarakkara and Kollam. The river flows into the Ashtamudi Kayal.

·      The main tributaries of Kallada River and Kulathupuzha, Chenthurnipuzha and Kalthuruthipuzha.

·      There is a famous Hanging Bridge built across the river and the famous tourist destination Palaruvi waterfalls is also in this river.

 

VALAPATTANAM RIVER

·      Valapattanam River is the largest river in Kannur. This river originates from the Western Ghats and flows into Arabian Sea.

·      A wood factory called as Western India Plywoods located near the river was the largest wood industry in India and was also the biggest plywood factory in Asia.

·      On the banks of this river lies the Valapattanam town and the famous pilgrim center Parassinikadavu Muthappan Temple.

KERALA PSC / KERALA GEOGRAPHY / RIVERS OF KERALA / NOTES / OBJECTIVE QUESTIONS / STUDY MATERIALS / GENERAL KNOWLEDGE