RIVERS OF KERALA

There are 44 rivers in the state, of which 41 originate from the Western Ghats and flow towards west into the Arabian sea. Three tributaries of the river Cauvery originate in Kerala and flow east into the neighbouring States. These rivers and streams flowing down from the Western Ghats either empty themselves in to the backwaters in the coastal area or directly into the Arabian Sea.

As the Western Ghats are nowhere more than 120 kms from the sea, all these rivers are comparatively short.

The important rivers from north to south are; Valapattanam river (110 kms.), Chaliar (69 kms.), Kadalundipuzha (130 kms.), Bharathapuzha (209 kms.), Chalakudy river (130 kms.), Periyar (244 kms), Pamba (176 kms), Achancoil (128 kms.) and Kalladayar (121 kms.). Other than these, there are 35 more small rivers and rivulets flowing down from the Ghats. Most of these rivers are navigable up to the midland region for country crafts which provide a cheap and reliable transport system.

The presence of a large number of rivers has made Kerala rich in water resources which are being harnessed for power generation and irrigation.

Rivers/ Rivelets of Kerala
Name of river/rivelets		Length in Kms.
(A) West Flowing
1	Majeswar	16
2	Uppala	50
3	Shiriya	67
4	Mogral	34
5	Chandragiri	105
6	Chittari	25
7	Nileswar	46
8	Kariangode	64
9	Kavvaiyi	31
10	Peruvamba	51
11	Ramapuram	19
12	Kuppam	82
13	Valapattanam	110
14	Anjarakandy	48
15	Tellicherry	28
16	Mahe	54
17	Kuttiyadi	74
18	Korapuzha	46
19	Kallai	22
20	Chaliyar	169
21	Kadalundi	130
22	Tirur	48
23	Bharathapuzha	209
24	Keecheri	51
25	Puzhakkal	29
26	Karuvannur	48
27	Chalakudy	130
28	Periyar	244
29	Muvattupuzha	121
30	Meenachil	78
31	Manimala	90
32	Pamba	176
33	Achencoil	128
34	Pallickal	42
35	Kallada	121
36	Ithikara	56
37	Ayoor	17
38	Vamanapuram	88
39	Mamom	27
40	Karamana	68
41	Neyyar	56
(B) East Flowing(Tributaries of Kaveri)
42	Kabani
43	Bhavani
44	Pambar