| Kadalundi | |
|---|---|
 Kadalundi bridge | |
 | |
| Location | |
| Country | India |
| State | Kerala |
| Districts | Palakkad,Malappuram |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Source | Cherakomban Mala |
| • location | Kerala,India |
| • coordinates | 11°08′N76°28′E / 11.133°N 76.467°E /11.133; 76.467 |
| • elevation | 1,160 m (3,810 ft) |
| Mouth | Arabian Sea |
• location | Kerala,India |
• coordinates | 11°07′N75°49′E / 11.117°N 75.817°E /11.117; 75.817 |
• elevation | 0 m (0 ft) |
| Length | 130 km (81 mi) |
| Basin size | 1,122 km2 (433 sq mi) |
| Discharge | |
| • location | mouth |
| • average | 36 m3/s (1,300 cu ft/s) |
Kadalundi River (Kadalundipuzha) is one of the four major rivers flowing throughMalappuram district in theIndian state ofKerala. The other three are theChaliyar, theBharathappuzha and theTirur River.[1] This rain-fed river is 130 kilometres (81 mi) long and one of the most important rivers in the district.[2] Kadalundi River is also the sixth longest river in Kerala. Kadalundi River passes throughKaruvarakundu,Tuvvur,Melattur,Pandikkad,Manjeri,Malappuram,Panakkad,Parappur,Vengara,Tirurangadi,Parappanangadi,Vallikkunnu, and empties itself into Arabian sea at Kadalundi Nagaram inVallikkunnu on the northwestern border of the district.[3] It is formed by the confluence of the Olippuzha River and the Veliyar River.[3] The Kadalundi originates from theWestern Ghats at the western border of theSilent Valley and flows through the district ofPalakkad andMalappuram.[3] It has two main tributaries namely Olipuzha and Veliyar.[3] Olipuzha and Veliyar merges together to become Kadalundi River nearMelattur.[3] Kadalundi River traverses through the historical regions ofEranad andValluvanad.[3] The Kadalundi River drains an area of 1274 km2 and has a length of 120 km.[4] The ancient port ofTyndis, which was the second-largest trading port ofChera dynasty, only after toMuziris, is identified with the mouth of this river atVallikunnu.[5] TheKadalundi Bird Sanctuary spreads over a cluster of islands where the Kadalundipuzha River flows into theArabian Sea.[3] There are over a hundred species of native birds and around 60 species of migratory birds in large numbers annually.[6]
The 16th centuryMalayalam poet and the author ofJnanappana,Poonthanam Nambudiri was born atKeezhattur nearPerinthalmanna, on the bank of Kadalundi River.[7][8][9]
Kerala Varma Valiya Koyi Thampuran (Kerala Kalidasan),Raja Raja Varma (Kerala Panini) andRaja Ravi Varma (Famous Painter) were from different branches ofParappanad Royal Family who migrated fromParappanangadi to Harippad, Changanassery, Mavelikkara and Kilimanoor.[10] Parappanangadi also lies on the bank of Kadalundi River.[9] The Chief Editor of the daily "The Hindu" (1898 to 1905) and Founder Chief Editor of "The Indian Patriot" Divan Bahadur Cozhisseri Karunakara Menon (1863–1922) was also from Parappanangadi.[11]O. Chandu Menon wrote his novels "Indulekha" and "Saradha" while he was the judge at Parappanangadi Munciff Court.Indulekha is also the first Major Novel written inMalayalam language.
The Kadalundi River supports a rich estuarine ecosystem at its mouth, forming the 125-acreKadalundi Bird Sanctuary—a Ramsar-recognized wetland and key stopover for migratory birds during winter.[12] The sanctuary hosts over 100 species, including whimbrels, sandpipers, herons, and the rare crab-plover, with mangroves and mudflats providing critical foraging and nesting habitats.[13]Riparian zones along the river feature diverse flora like mangroves (Avicennia officinalis andRhizophora mucronata), saltmarsh grass, and casuarina groves, sustaining fish populations such as mullets and prawns for local fisheries.[14]
The basin'sbrackish waters promote nutrient cycling, but threats include coastal erosion and pollution from upstream agriculture. Conservation efforts by theKerala Forest Department include mangrove restoration and eco-tourism regulations to protect the wetland's biodiversity.[15]
main articleKadalundi train derailmentthe accident involved the Mangalore-Chennai Mail passenger train was crossing over the Kadalundi river. Three carriages fell into the water, with 59 people reported killed or missing, and up to 300 believed injured. The official inquiry concluded that the derailment was caused by one pillar of the 140-year old bridge sinking into the riverbed, following recent heavy rain, though this finding has been challenged.
