Bharathapuzha River
18-01-2025
07:30 AM
1 min read

Overview:
A family of four drowned in the Bharathapuzha recently.
About Bharathappuzha River:
- It is Kerala’s second longest river after the Periyar River.
- It flows for a length of 209 km.
- It is considered the Nile of Kerala and is also known as Nila, Kuttipuram Puzha, and Ponnaniyar.
- Course:
- Origin: The river originates in the Annamalai hills located in the Western Ghats region in Tamil Nadu.
- It flows in the northwesterly direction in Pollachi taluk of Coimbatore district in Tamil Nadu.
- It enters the Palghat district of Kerala State through the Palghat gap.
- It finally discharges into the Arabian Sea near Ponnani town, Kerala.
- Out of the total drainage area, two-thirds, which is 4400 sq.km., is in Kerala, and the remaining 1786 sq.km. is in Tamil Nadu.
- The Bharathapuzha basin receives copious rainfall during the southwest monsoon and it lies in the rain shed region of the Western Ghats.
- Major Tributaries: Gayathripuzha River, Kannadipuzha River, Kalpathipuzha River, and Thuthapuzha River.
- There are several dams constructed across this river, of which the Malampuzha dam is the largest.

Q1: Why is Bharathapuzha called Nila?
Bharathapuzha is also known by the name of “Nila”. The word “Nila” indicates the culture more than just a river. Nila has groomed the culture and life of south Malabar part of Kerala.
Source: TH