Periyar River

Periyar River is Kerala’s longest river which is known to have the largest discharge potential. The river is the source of drinking water for towns and cities in south India. It is a perennial river which is known as ‘Lifeline of Kerala’. This river is a part of southern part of Kerala, in south west India. The river is formed at the border of Tamil Nadu, in the Western Ghats. It moves north where it falls into the Periyar Lake which is actually a reservoir. The river flows north and then enters Kerala. It moves northwest through the mountains and onto the coastal plains, north of Kochi. It finally empties into the Arabian Sea.

The river is about 140 miles or 225 Kms long. The Periyar Lake lies at the elevation of 2,800(850metres). The lake is 31 square Kms in area and is an artificial reservoir for a dam. It lies between mountain peaks and is surrounded by a wildlife sanctuary. Some of the water is diverted to the Vagai River through a tunnel for irrigation.

Just south of the Mullaperiyar reserve, below the source of Periyar River, a 350 square Kms of rainforests exists. The upper regions of the forest are inaccessible and undisturbed. The Thattekad Bird Sanctuary is one of India’s prominent bird sanctuaries. It is situated on the branches of the Periyar River, 60 Kms north east of Kochi. The thick evergreen forests are home to several species of birds. Dr Salim Ali, the famous Ornithologist, called it the -the richest bird habitat in peninsular India.

Course

This river flows through Tamil Nadu and Kerala. Periyar arises from the Sivagiri peaks of Sundaramala, in Tamil Nadu. From here it moves towards the north where, later downstream, a westward flowing tributary –Mullayar joins at Mullakudy. This river flows through a tiger reserve called Periyar Tiger Reserve. At certain places, it flows along the boundary of the reserve. Lower downstream it forms a border between the Periyar section of the reserve in the East and the Sunderamala section in the West. Further ahead it formers a border between Moolavaigai and Thannikudy in the east and Ummikuppan, Mlappara and Aruvoida in the west. It falls into the Periyar Lake. A Mulliyarpriyar dam is built at the point where Periyar and Mulliyar meet and forms the Periyar Thedday Lake. Here some water is diverted in to its tributary Nirar which moves into Tamil Nadu. Some water is diverted through a tunnel and meets the tributary of Vaigai river- Suruliar River.

From the lake it moves downstream towards the north for 22 miles or 35 Kms.  It moves through Vandiperiyar, Elappar and Aiyyappankoil to a reservoir- Idukki which is formed between three dams- Idukki, Cheruthoni, Kulamava. These dams contribute to the hydroelectricity for the state. It moves further north westwards, down the mountains and westwards on to the coastal plains. It reaches Aluva where the river parts into two- Marthanadavarma and Mangalpuzha. The Magalaphuza portion joins on to the Chalakudy River and then falls onto the Lakshadweep Sea at Munambam. The other part- Marthanavarma moves south and passes Udhyogamandal area and becomes a part of the Cochin backwater at Varapuzha.

The river has other dams that have been constructed in the 20th century.

Tributaries

The Periyar River has major as well as minor tributaries. The major tributaries are –

Muthirapuzha River

This is one of the major tributaries of the Periyar River that flows through the state of Kerala.

Mullayar River

This river, a tributary, arises from the Kottamalai peak at the Periyar Tiger reserve. It moves towards the west and meets up with Periyar at Mullakudy, a little ahead of the Periyar Lake.

Cheruthoni River

Cheruthoni is one of the tributaries. This river has the Cheruthoni dam which is one of the several dams that provide hydroelectricity to the area. This area was recommended to the farmers in 1940s to be used for farming. Later, a hydroelectric project was set up.

Perinjankutti River

This is one of the tributaries of the Periyar River which flows through Kerala.

Edamala River

This river is a tributary of the Periyar River. It has the Idamalayar dam built on it.

The minor tributaries of Periyar are Muthayar, Perunthurairar, Chinnar, Cheruthony, Kattappanyar.

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