Noyyal River

Noyyal River
Noyyal River bed
Location
CountryIndia
Physical characteristics
Source 
 • locationWestern Ghats in Tamil Nadu
Mouth 
 • location
Kaveri
Length180 km (110 mi)
Basin size3,500 km2 (1,400 sq mi)

Noyyal is a 180 km (110 mi)–long seasonal river in Western Tamil Nadu, India. It is a tributary of the Kaveri river. The river rises in the Vellingiri hills in the Western Ghats, and flows westwards through the cities of Coimbatore, and Tirupur, before draining into the Kaveri at Noyyal in Karur district. The river basin covers an area of 3,500 km2 (1,400 sq mi), which consists of 1,800 km2 (690 sq mi) of cultivable lands.

The river is seasonal, and dependent on the monsoon. An extensive tank system has been developed to store the river water and the overflow during monsoon. There are several check dams, and two larger dams–Aathupalayam and Orathuppalayam. Flowing through major urban areas, the river is highly polluted and faces significant ecological concern.

History

Noyyal is a sacred river for the Tamils. Its is referred to as Kanchimanadi in the Tamil text Perur Puranam. It got its name later in the 18th century CE. The Noyyal River and its interconnected tank and canal system is believed to have been built by the Chalukya Cholas, as a system of water transport, and storage.

Course

The river rises in the Vellingiri hills in the Western Ghats, and flows westwards towards Coimbatore. After passing through Tirupur, and covering a total distance of 180 km (110 mi), Noyyal joins the Kaveri river at Noyyal in Karur district. The river is seasonal and fed by monsoon. Tributaries and rivulets include Cheyyar, Kausika, and Periar, which join the river during its course.

From the source, the river valley consists of kankar soil for a stretch of 25 km (16 mi) to a depth of 60 m (198 ft). It extends from the origin of the river to the Ukkadam Lake in Coimbatore. The fill absorbs water initially, and only when the absorption reaches a saturation point, the excess water flows downstream.

Water storage

The Noyyal River system has an extensive network of canals, and tanks. Surplus water from the river spilled into the canals and were channeled to the tanks, preventing flooding, and was used to replenish the ground water and for utilisation later.[1] However, the system was neglected and the number of functional water bodies has reduced to eleven by 2003. This has had a profound effect on agriculture in the region.[2][3]

There are two major dams–Orathuppalayam (near Chennimalai) and Aathupalayam (near Vellakoil), which were commissioned with the aim of irrigating about 20,000 acres of land in Tirupur and Karur districts. The Orathuppalayam dam has been decommissioned and acts as effluent storage tank. There are about 23 check dams.

Pollution

Due to its course through urban areas, pollution has been a major concern. Textile units in Tiruppur release effluents into the river. Despite several litigation and court orders, which ordered the closure of such units, the river continues to be polluted. The Government of Tamil Nadu announced a project to prevent pollution in July 2018.[4]

References

  1. ^ "River Noyyal". Rain water harvesting. Retrieved 1 June 2015.
  2. ^ "A glorious system in peril". Archived from the original on 26 June 2003. Retrieved 1 February 2007.
  3. ^ "Reviving the tanks". The Hindu. Retrieved 2 February 2007.
  4. ^ "Rs. 150 crores for preventing pollution in Noyyal". The Hindu. Retrieved 1 June 2021.
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