Major River in Kerala

Kerala lies between the Western ghats and the Lakshadweep sea. This state can be divided into three major distinct climatic regions: the western lowlands, the eastern highlands and the central midlands. The eastern areas of Kerala mainly consist of high mountains, deep-cut valleys and gorges. 

There are 44 major rivers in Kerala. All the west-flowing rivers in Kerala have a minimum length of 15 km and end up either in the Arabian sea or the backwaters. There are only three east-flowing rivers in Kerala: the Kabini river flows into Karnataka, while the Bhavani and Pambar rivers flow into Tamil Nadu. These three major rivers in Kerala join the river Kaveri. 

West-flowing rivers in Kerala

• Periyar river 

Periyar river is a significant source of drinking water for many towns in the state. It is 244 kilometres in length and is the deepest river in Kerala. It also has an enormous discharge potential compared to the other rivers in Kerala. Periyar river flows through industrial areas such as Kochi, Neriamangalam, Kalady and Malayattoor, which are commercially active. This river also plays a significant role in producing electricity via Idukki Dam.

•  Bharathapuzha River 

The Bharathapuzha river is ranked second on the list and goes with the name Nila or Ponnani river. It has a total length of 209 kilometres. It lies in Ponnani and flows through the largest opening in the Western ghats of Kerala through Palakkad Gap. It is also a significant water source for many districts like Malappuram, Palakkad and Thrissur. 

• Pamba river

Pamba river is ranked the third-longest river in Kerala. Its total length is 176 kilometres. The famous Sabarimala temple of Lord Ayyappa lies on the banks of the Pamba river. This river originates from the Pulachimala hills, which lie in the Western ghats of the state and are located in the Pulachimala region. The Pamba river flows through many towns in the state, such as Chitter, Kozhencherry, Aranmula, etc. 

• Chaliyar River 

Chaliyar river is ranked the fourth-longest river in Kerala, and its total length is 169 kilometres. Chaliyar river originates from the Ilambaleri hills situated in the Nilgiris district. It is located in the Malappuram and Kozhikode districts of Kerala. Chaliyar river banks are famous for their natural goldfields. 

• Chalakudy River 

The Chalakudy River is located in the Chalakudy town of Kerala and has a total length of 145.5 kilometres. Chalakudy River is known for its clean, pollution-free water as there is a minimal amount of waste disposal around the area. 

• Kadalundi River 

The total length of the Kadalundi river is 130 kilometres, and it flows through the Malappuram district. There are two main tributaries of this river: Veliyar and Olipuzha.

• Achankovil River 

Achankovil river is the seventh-largest river in Kerala, and the total length of this river is 128 kilometres. This river flows through Alappuzha, Kollam and Pathanamthitta. 

• Kallada River 

This is the eighth-largest river in Kerala, with 120 kilometres. Kallada River has its origin in the Kollam district’s southeastern parts. The river flows through several towns in the state, such as Thenmala, Ottackal, Nedumkayam, Kulathupuzha, etc. 

• Muvattupuzha River 

Muvattupuzha is ranked ninth among the major rivers of Kerala. The total length of this river is 121 kilometres, and it originates in the Kottayam district. Muvattupuzha river is located in the Ernakulam district of Kerala, and the Muvattupuzha town is named after this river.

• Valapattanam River

The Valapattanam river is ranked tenth in the list of major rivers in Kerala. The total length of the Valapattanam river is 110 kilometres, and it flows through the Kannur district. The origin of the river is in the Western ghats of Karnataka. 

These were the top ten major west-flowing rivers in Kerala. The rest of the west-flowing rivers are mentioned below.

• Chandragiri river

The length of this river is 105 kilometres, and it flows through the Kasargod and Kodagu districts of Kerala.

• Manimala river 

The length of the Manimala river is 92 kilometres, and it flows through Kottayam, Pathanamthitta and Alappuzha districts. 

• Vamanapuram river 

The length of the Vamanapuram river is 88 kilometres, and it flows through the Thiruvananthapuram district.

• Kuppam River 

This river flows through Kannur District and is 82 kilometres long. 

• Meenachil River 

Meenachil is a 78-kilometre long river and flows through the Kottayam district.

• Kuttiady River 

This is a 74-kilometre long river and flows through Kozhikode, Vatakara and Koyilandy districts.

• Karamana river

This river flows through the Thiruvananthapuram district and is 66 kilometres long.

• Shriya river 

The total length of the Shriya river is 67 kilometres and primarily flows in the westward direction. 

1. Kariankode river 

This river flows through Kasaragod, Kannur and Kodagu districts. Kariankode river is 64 kilometres long.

• Ithikkara River 

It flows through the Kollam district in Kerala, and the total length of the Ithikkara river is 56 kilometres.

The rest of the rivers are mentioned below:

1. Neyyar River 
2. Mahe River 
3. Kercher river 
4. Pumba river 
5. Uppala River 
6. Karuvannur river 
7. Anjarakandy river 
8. Tirur river 
9. Neeleswaram river 
10. Pallikkal river 
11. Kallayi river 
12. Korapuzha river 
13. Moral river 
14. Kavvayi river 
15. Thanikkudam river 
16. Thalassery river 
17. Mamam river 
18. Chithari river 
19. Ramapuram river 
20. Ayiroor river 
21. Manjeswaram river 

East-flowing rivers in Kerala

There are a total number of three rivers that flow eastwards:

• Kabani river

This river is 240 kilometres in length and flows through the Wayanad district of Kerala. 

• Bhavani river 

This river is 215 kilometres long and is a significant part of the Kaveri river. It flows through both Kerala and Tamil Nadu. 

• Pambar river 

The origin of this river is in Anamudi, which lies in the Idukki district of Kerala, and the total length of this river is 31 kilometres. 

Conclusion 

We have discussed all the west-flowing and east flowing rivers in Kerala. These rivers have a significant role in the state as many of these are important water sources for different districts. Periyar river is 244 km long and is the longest river in the state. The shortest river in Kerala is the Manjeswaram river which is 16 km long. Due to the dense population of Kerala, the utilisation rate of each unit of the river is relatively high.