TanyaBertrand6 at 13:53, 26 December 2025

2025-12-26T13:53:37Z

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{{Short description|none}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2020}}
{{Use Indian English|date=March 2020}}
There are 44 major rivers in [[Kerala]], all but three originating in the [[Western Ghats]], with 41 flowing westward and three eastward. The rivers of Kerala are small, in terms of length, breadth and water [[discharge (hydrology)|discharge]]. The rivers flow faster, owing to the hilly terrain and as the short distance between the Western Ghats and the sea. All the rivers are entirely monsoon-fed and half of them shrink into rivulets or dry up completely during summer but the major rivers flow perennial and plays an important role in the landscape of Kerala.

==Features==
[[File:Topography of Kerala.png|thumb|Topography of Kerala]]
Kerala is wedged between the [[Lakshadweep Sea]] and the [[Western Ghats]]. Geographically, the state can be divided into three climatically distinct regions: the eastern highlands; rugged and cool mountainous terrain, the central mid-lands; rolling hills, and the western lowlands; coastal plains.<ref name="ChattopadhyayFranke2006">{{cite book |author1=Srikumar Chattopadhyay |author2=Richard W. Franke |title=Striving for Sustainability: Environmental Stress and Democratic Initiatives in Kerala |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gOrvghLklKoC&pg=PA110 |access-date=19 March 2019 |year=2006 |publisher=Concept Publishing Company |isbn=978-8180692949}}</ref>{{rp|110}} The eastern region of Kerala consists of high mountains, gorges and deep-cut valleys immediately west of the Western Ghats' [[rain shadow]].<ref name=ChattopadhyayFranke2006/>{{rp|110}} Forty-one of Kerala's west-flowing rivers,<ref name="Sadasivan2003">{{cite book |author=S. N. Sadasivan |title=River Disputes in India: Kerala Rivers Under Siege |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hhrRboi5kOcC&pg=PA223 |access-date=18 November 2012 |year=2003 |publisher=Mittal Publications |isbn=978-8170999133 |page=223}}</ref> and three of its east-flowing ones originate in this region.<ref name="Darpan2006">{{cite book |author=Pratiyogita Darpan |title=Pratiyogita Darpan |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QegDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PT72 |access-date=18 November 2012 |date=September 2006 |publisher=Pratiyogita Darpan |page=72}}</ref><ref name="India2008">{{cite book |author=Motilal (UK) Books of India |title=Tourist Guide Kerala |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZYfRBcLdTNYC&pg=PA11 |access-date=18 November 2012 |year= 2008 |publisher=Sura Books |isbn=978-8174781642 |page=11}}</ref> The 41 west-flowing rivers, each of which having at least a length of 15 km, gradually slopes towards the [[Arabian Sea]] coast in the western region and empty either into [[Kerala Backwaters|backwaters]] or [[Arabian Sea]] there.{{sfn|Chandran|2018|p=341}} The longer rivers have several tributaries and streams too.{{sfn|Chandran|2018|p=341}} The Western Ghats form a wall of mountains interrupted only near [[Palakkad]]; hence also known Pal''ghat'', where the [[Palakkad Gap]] breaks.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Chandran Nair |first1=Dr.S.Sathis |title=India – Silent Valley Rainforest Under Threat Once More |url=http://www.rainforestinfo.org.au/wrr2004/silentvalley.htm |website=rainforestinfo.org.au |access-date=12 November 2015}}</ref> The river [[Bharathappuzha]] flows through the [[Palakkad Gap]]. The three east-flowing rivers also originate in [[Western Ghats]], but flow eastwards either into [[Karnataka]] or [[Tamil Nadu]].{{sfn|Chandran|2018|p=341}}

Kerala's western coastal belt is relatively flat compared to the eastern region, and is criss-crossed by a network of interconnected [[brackish]] canals, lakes, [[estuaries]],<ref name="Moss2010">{{cite book |author=Danny Moss |title=Public Relations Cases: International Perspectives |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=s0-CJ3djEdEC&pg=PA41 |access-date=18 November 2012 |year= 2010 |publisher=Taylor & Francis |isbn=978-0415773362 |page=41}}</ref> and rivers known as the [[Kerala Backwaters]].<ref name="Thorpe2012">{{cite book |author=Edgar Thorpe |title=The Pearson CSAT Manual 2012 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1cruroSVFoUC&pg=RA3-PA38 |access-date=18 November 2012 |year=2012 |publisher=Pearson Education India |isbn=978-8131767344 |page=3}}</ref> [[Kuttanad]], also known as ''The Rice Bowl of Kerala'', has the [[List of extreme points of India#Altitudes|lowest altitude in India]], and is also one of the few places in world where cultivation takes place below sea level.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Kerala Boat Ferries Lone Passenger To Help Her Take Exam|url=https://www.ndtv.com/kerala-news/coronavirus-lockdown4-kerala-government-boat-ferries-lone-passenger-sandra-babu-to-help-her-take-exam-2238752|last=Press Trust of India|date=1 June 2020|access-date=17 November 2020|work=NDTV}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.hindu.com/mag/2003/07/13/stories/2003071300600200.htm|title=Thirst below sea level|last=Suchitra|first=M|date=2003-08-13|work=[[The Hindu]]|access-date=2020-11-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190922101804/https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-sundaymagazine/thirst-below-sea-level/article28523147.ece |archive-date=2019-09-22}}</ref> The country's longest lake [[Vembanad Lake|Vembanad]], dominates the backwaters; it lies between [[Alappuzha]] and [[Kochi]] and is about {{convert|200|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}} in area.<ref name="Husain">{{cite book |author=Majid Husain |author-link=Majid Husain |title=Understanding: Geographical: Map Entries: for Civil Services Examinations: Second Edition |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_9VGKfQ-sQsC&pg=RA9-PT18 |access-date=18 November 2012 |publisher=Tata McGraw-Hill Education |isbn=978-0070702882 |page=9 |year=2011}}</ref> Around eight percent of India's waterways are found in Kerala.<ref name="IWAI_2005">{{Cite journal |author=Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI—Ministry of Shipping) |year=2005 |title=Introduction to Inland Water Transport |journal=IWAI (Ministry of Shipping) |url=http://iwai.nic.in/Introduction.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20050204175110/http://iwai.nic.in/Introduction.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=4 February 2005 |access-date=19 January 2006}}</ref> Kerala's [[List of rivers in Kerala|44 rivers]] include the [[Periyar River|Periyar]]; {{convert|244|km|mi|0}}, [[Bharathapuzha]]; {{convert|209|km|mi|0}}, [[Pamba River|Pamba]]; {{convert|176|km|mi|0}}, [[Chaliyar River|Chaliyar]]; {{convert|169|km|mi|0}}, [[Chalakudy River|Chalakudypuzha]]; {{convert|145.5|km|mi|0}}, [[Kadalundipuzha River|Kadalundipuzha]]; {{convert|130|km|mi|0}}, [[Valapattanam River|Valapattanam]]; {{convert|129|km|mi|0}} and the [[Achankovil River]]; {{convert|128|km|mi|0}}. The average length of the rivers is {{convert|64|km|mi|0}}. Many of the rivers are small and entirely fed by monsoon rain.<ref name=riverreport>{{cite book |last=India. |first=Planning Commission |title=Kerala Development Report |year=2008 |publisher=Academic Foundation |isbn=978-8171885947 |page=224 |url=https://books.google.com/books?isbn=8171885942}}</ref> As Kerala's rivers are small and lacking in [[river delta|delta]], they are more prone to environmental effects. The rivers face problems such as sand mining and pollution.<ref name="Padmalal">Padmalal D, Maya K, Sreebha S & Sreeja R, (2007), "Environmental effects of river sand mining: a case from the river catchments of [[Vembanad lake]], Southwest coast of India", ''Environmental Geology'' 54(4), 879–89. [https://doi.org/10.1007/s00254-007-0870-z springerlink.com]. Retrieved 17 July 2009.</ref>

[[File:Athirappilly Waterfalls after the Monsoons.jpg|thumb|center|The famous [[Athirapally Falls]] which sits on the [[Chalakudy River]] is an example for a river that transitions from the Mountainous Highlands to the Plainer Midlands via rapids and waterfalls ]]

==West flowing rivers==
This is a list of the westward-flowing rivers of [[Kerala]] state in southern India, in order of length, and their tributaries. These rivers all originate in the [[Western Ghats]] range and flow westward into the [[Kerala Backwaters]] or into the [[Arabian Sea]]. Length in kilometers is in parentheses. [[Kasaragod district]] have the maximum number of west-flowing rivers in Kerala - 12.{{sfn|Chandran|2018|p=448}}
{{multiple image

| align = right
| direction = vertical
| width = 220
| header_align = left/right/center

| image1 = Fish net over Periyar River 0.jpg
| caption1 = The 244 km long [[Periyar (river)|Periyar]], known as ''Choorni'' in ancient period, is the longest river in Kerala.{{sfn|Chandran|2018|p=341}}

| image2 = View from Chamravattam Bridge - panoramio.jpg
| caption2 = [[Bharathappuzha]], the second-longest river of Kerala of which 209 km flows through Kerala, has played a major role in shaping the [[Culture of Kerala]].<ref>{{Cite news|title=The river sutra|url=https://www.thehindu.com/society/rivers-have-nurtured-malayalam-literature-and-poetry-since-time-immemorial/article25058214.ece|last=Binoy|first=Rasmi|date=27 September 2018|access-date=24 January 2021|work=The Hindu}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|author=Menon, A. Sreedhara |title=A Survey of Kerala History|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FVsw35oEBv4C|year=2007|publisher=DC Books|isbn=9788126415786}}</ref>

| image3 = Kuttanad beauty.jpg
| caption3 = [[Kuttanad]], the region having least altitude in India, is located on the bank of river [[Pamba River|Pamba]], which is the third-longest river of Kerala with a length of 176 km.{{sfn|Chandran|2018|p=342}}

| image4 = Chaliyar River at Feroke.jpg
| caption4 = The oldest [[Teak]] plantation of the world at [[Nilambur]] is situated on the bank of [[Chaliyar]], the fourth-longest river of Kerala (169 km).<ref>{{Cite news|title=Oldest teak plantation, Conolly's Plot, to reopen after maintenance|url=https://english.mathrubhumi.com/travel/travel-news/oldest-teak-plantation-conolly-s-plot-to-reopen-after-maintenance-kerala-nilambur-teak-plantations-1.1942105|date=2017-05-16|access-date=2020-10-12|work=Mathrubhumi}}</ref>

| image5 = Chalakudy River bank on a summer sunrise.jpg
| caption5 = The famous [[Athirappilly Falls]] is situated on the 145.5 km long [[Chalakudy River]].

| image6 = Kadalundi Bridge - A border of Malappuram and Kozhikode.jpg
| caption6 = The 130 km long [[Kadalundi River]], which empties into the sea near [[Kadalundi Bird Sanctuary]], is the sixth-longest river in Kerala.
}}
#[[Periyar River]] (244)
## [[Edamala River]]
## [[Cheruthoni River]]
## [[Mullayar River]]
## [[Muthirapuzha River]]
## [[Perinjankutti River]]
## Ambazhachal River
## Kaniyampuzha River
## [[Muttar River]]
## [[Panniyar River|Panniyar]]
#[[Bharatapuzha River]] (209)
## [[Thuthapuzha|Thuthapuzha River]]
## [[Kanjirappuzha (Mannarkkad)|Kanjirappuzha]]
## [[Gayathripuzha|Gayathripuzha River]]
## [[Kalpathipuzha|Kalpathipuzha River]]
## [[Kannadipuzha|Kannadipuzha River]]
#[[Pamba River]] (176)
## [[Azhuthayar]]
## [[Kakkiyar]]
## [[Kakkattar]]
## [[Kallar River (Pamba)|Kallar]]
## [[Perunthenaruvi]]
## [[Madatharuvi]]
## [[Thanungattilthodu]]
## [[Kozhithodu]]
## [[Varattar River (Pamba)|Varattar]]
## [[Utharappalli River]]
## [[Kuttemperoor]]
#[[Chaliyar River]] (169)
## [[Cherupuzha (Mavoor)]]
## [[Iruvanjippuzha]]
## [[Cherupuzha (Areekode)|Thottumukkam River]]
## [[Kuthirappuzha]]
## [[Kuruvanpuzha]]
## [[Karimpuzha (Malappuram)|Karimpuzha]]
## [[Pandippuzha]]
## [[Neerppuzha]]
#[[Chalakudy River]] (145)
##[[Parambikulam River]]
#[[Kadalundy River]] (130)
#[[Achankoil River]] (128)
## [[Utharappalli River]]
# [[Kallada River]] (121)
#[[Muvattupuzha River]] (121)
## [[Thodupuzha River]]
## [[Kothamangalam|Kothayar River]]
## [[Kaliyar|Kaliyar River]]
## Kariyar River
## Thevalakkadu River
## Uzhavoor River
#[[Valapattanam river|Valapattanam River]] (110)
## [[Bavali river|Bavali River]]
## Pulloopi River
## Payyavoor River
## Mundayapuzha River
## Veni River
## Aralam River
#[[Chandragiri River]] (105)
## [[Kudumbur River]]
#[[Manimala River]] (90)
#[[Vamanapuram River]] (88)
#[[Kuppam River]] (88)
## Kuttikol River
#[[Meenachil River]] (78)
## Meenachal River
## Kodoor River
## Karapuzha River
## Pulinackal River
## Moorkankavu River
#[[Kuttiyadi River]] (74)
#[[Karamana River]] (68)
#[[Shiriya River]] (68)
#[[Kariangode River]] (64)
## Chaithravahini River
#[[Ithikkara River]] (56)
#[[Neyyar River]] (56)
#[[Mahé River|Mahe River]] (54)
## Mundathode River
#[[Keecheri River]] (51)
#[[Perumba River]] (51)
## Vayalapra River
#[[Uppala River]] (50)
#[[Karuvannur River]] (48)
##[[Kurumali River]]
##[[Manali River]]
#[[Anjarakkandy|Anjarakandy River]] (48)
#[[Tirur River]] (48)
#[[Neeleshwaram River]] (46)
#[[Pallikkal River]] (42)
#[[Kallayi River]] (40)
#[[Korapuzha|Korapuzha River]] (40)
#[[Mogral River]] (34)
#[[Kavvai puzha River|Kavvayi River]] (31)
##[[Kankole|Kankol]]
##Vannathichal
##Kuppithodu
##[[Kuniyan River|Kuniyan]]
#[[Thanikkudam River]] (29)
#Thalassery River (28)
## Ummanchira River
#[[Mamam River|Mamam river]] (27)
#Chithari River (25)
#Ramapuram River (19)
#Ayiroor River (17)
#Manjeswaram River (16)

==East flowing rivers==
[[File:Westernghats river gobi.jpg|thumbnail|The east-flowing [[Bhavani River]] flows near [[Silent Valley National Park]].]]
There are three rivers that rise in Kerala and flow eastwards, Kabani into [[Karnataka]] and the other two into [[Tamil Nadu]]. All the three rivers ultimately join the [[Kaveri river]].
#[[Kabani River|Kabani]] (57)
#[[Bhavani River|Bhavani]] (38)
#[[Pambar River (Kerala)|Pambar]] (25)

==See also==
* [[List of dams and reservoirs in Kerala]]
* [[List of mountains in Kerala]]
* [[Kerala backwaters]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Notes==
{{refbegin}}
* {{Cite book|title=Mathrubhumi Yearbook Plus - 2019|publisher=P. V. Chandran, Managing Editor, Mathrubhumi Printing & Publishing Company Limited, Kozhikode|year=2018|location=Kozhikode|last=Chandran |first=VP |edition=Malayalam }}
{{refend}}

{{Waters of Kerala}}
{{Kerala}}
{{Kerala topics}}

[[Category:Rivers of Kerala| ]]
[[Category:Kerala geography-related lists|Rivers, List of, Kerala]]
[[Category:Lists of rivers of India|Kerala, List of rivers]]

List of rivers of Kerala - Revision history

TanyaBertrand6 at 13:53, 26 December 2025