Bhavani River
Context
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Heavy discharge of 1 lakh cusecs from Mettur Dam into the Cauvery River has led to low-lying areas in T.N.’s Bhavani flooded.
Bhavani River
Basic Facts
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Type: Perennial, east-flowing river.
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Length: 217 km (135 miles).
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Origin: Nilgiri Hills, Western Ghats.
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States Covered: Tamil Nadu (87%), Kerala (9%), Karnataka (4%).
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Direction of Flow: From Western Ghats → Silent Valley (Kerala) → Tamil Nadu → joins Cauvery at Kooduthurai (Bhavani).
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Tributary of: Cauvery River (joins from right bank).
Geography
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Major Districts Traversed:
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Tamil Nadu: Coimbatore, Erode
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Kerala: Palakkad (Silent Valley National Park)
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Drainage Basin Area: ~0.62 million hectares (2,400 sq mi).
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Key Tributaries:
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From North: Kunda River, Moyar River (originates in Mudumalai National Park).
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From South & Southeast: Kodungarapallam River, Siruvani River (drinking source for Coimbatore).
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Others: West and East Varagar, Coonoor River.
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Key Confluences:
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Mukkali (120° turn NE)
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Attappady Plateau
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Mettupalayam (Coonoor River)
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Kooduthurai (joins Cauvery).
Water Use
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Main Use: ~90% of water used for agricultural irrigation.
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Irrigation Infrastructure:
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Lower Bhavani Dam: Near Sathyamangalam, supports Lower Bhavani Project Canal.
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Kodiveri Dam: Near Gobichettipalayam, supports Arakkankottai & Thadappalli canals.
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Kalingarayan Barrage (1283 CE): Feeds the historic 90 km Kalingarayan Canal.
