Chalakudy River

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Chalakudy Puzha
Labelled map of Chalakudypuzha
Origin Anamalai Hills
Mouth Arabian Sea
Basin countries India
Length 144 km (90 mi)
Source elevation 1,250 m
Avg. discharge 52 m³/s
Basin area 1,704 km² (666 mi²)

Chalakudy River or Chalakudy Puzha runs through Chalakudy town which is in the Thrissur District of Kerala state, south India. It is the 5th longest river in Kerala and its basin is between 10° 05’ to 10° 35’ North latitude and 76° 15’to 76° 55’ East longitude. This area is located in Thrissur, Ernakulam and Palakkad districts of Kerala. The total drainage area of the river is 1704 km². out of this 1404 km² lies in Kerala and the rest 300 km² in Tamil Nadu. The length of the river is 145.5 km.

Chalakudy River is the one of very few rivers of Kerala, which is having relics of riparian vegetation in substantial level. The annual report of the National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources Lucknow, mentioned that the Chalakudy River is the richest river in fish diversity perhaps in India.

The river though has its origin in the Anamalai region of Tamilnadu, is actually a collection of some major tributaries originated from Parambikulam, Kuriyarkutti, Sholayar, Karapara and Anakayam. The famous waterfalls, Athirappilly Falls and Vazhachal Falls, are situated on this river. The famous Hydro Electric Projects on Chalakkudy River are 'Sholayar Hydro Electric Project' and 'Peringalkuttu Hydro Electric Project'. For irrigation purposes Thumboormoozhy Dam is constructed across this river. It merges with the Periyar River near Puthanvelikkara, adjacent to Manjali,North Paravur in Ernakulam District.

The Parambikulam Dam has been built on the Parambikulam River, one of its four tributaries.[1]

This is also one of the primary breeding grounds of the Dwarf Pufferfish

[edit] Notes

[edit] References

[edit] External links

Languages