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| Noyyal River Kanchinadi | |
|---|---|
 The Noyyal River at Noyyal Cross. | |
| Location | |
| Country | India |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Source | |
| • location | Western Ghats inTamil Nadu,India |
| Mouth | |
• location | Kaveri River |
| Length | 180 km (110 mi) |
| Basin size | 3,500 km2 (1,400 sq mi) |
TheNoyyal River is a small river in WesternTamil Nadu, and a tributary ofKaveri River. It rises from the Vellingiri hills in theWestern Ghats in Tamil Nadu, very closer in proximity toKerala border, and flows through many villages and the cities ofCoimbatore, andTirupur. Then finally, the river drains into the Kaveri River atNoyyal, a village inKarur district named after the river itself. The river's basin is 180 km (110 mi) long and 25 km (16 mi) wide and covers a total area of 3,500 km2 (1,400 sq mi). Cultivated land in the basin amounts to 1,800 km2 (690 sq mi) while the population density is 120 people per km2 (311/mi2) in the countryside, and 1000 people per km2 (2590/mi2) in the cities. The area is known for its scanty rainfall and the development of the Noyyal River Tanks System to hold any overflow from the rains plus the water of the Northeast and Southwestmonsoon season was ecologically important. Kausika river, which originates along the northern side of Coimbatore district in theWestern Ghats along with its consequent streams, lake and pond systems is an important tributary of the river. The 173 km (107 mi) long tributary of the Kaveri River filled 32tanks. These interconnecting tanks held the water flowing from the Noyyal.[1]
The township of Coimbatore once was surrounded by the Noyyal river and itscanals,tanks, andrivulets. The Noyyal river and its interconnected tank and canal system, believed to have been originally built by theChalukya Cholas kings, was then an efficient system that provided water transport, storage, and maintained stable groundwater levels. Surplus water from the Noyyal river spilled into the canals and were channeled to the tanks, preventing unwanted flooding. The tanks were a major factor in replenishing the ground water throughpercolation of thesubsoil water. As city urbanized, the system was neglected and the number of functional water bodies drastically reduced until only eleven were left. Today the system no longer works and water is scarce. Agriculture has significantly decreased. Lacking irrigation water,lakhs of Coconut trees in the area have dried up.[2][3]
The "Noyyal" is a sacred river inTamilhistory. Its original name was Kanchimanadi as mentioned in Perur Puranam. But changed later to the name of the place where it drains into theKaveri River in 1750 A.D.[citation needed]
The Noyyal village is situated at the banks ofNoyyal andKaveri (Ponni) rivers where they both merge. An ancient temple to the goddessSellandiAmman is also situated at the confluence (Sangamam).[citation needed]
A critical issue is thepollution of the riversNoyyal andNallaru originating and flowing in theKongu Nadu region. The river flows with natural antibiotic minerals. The entireOrathuppalayam Dam has become a tank holding effluent and releases water after every rainfall, effectively polluting the down river villages in the Tirupur and Karur district.[citation needed]
However, from 2004 onwards, efforts by local volunteers organizationSiruthuli have been trying to conserve thewater resource. After several petitions from 2003 to 2011, dying and bleaching units were ordered closed on the river untilzero liquid discharge status was achieved.
On 9 July 2018, the chief minister of Tamil Nadu announced that a sum of Rs. 150 crores would be earmarked for preventing pollution in of Noyyal withinTirupur city limits.[4]
TheCheyyar River and the Kanchimanadhi are the tributaries to the river. They all have their origins in the Western Ghats. Periar flows out of the Siruvani hills and the Kovai Kuttralam, a landmark waterfalls. Chadiaar or Cheyyar River flows through Chaadivayal and later along with the other rivers join up at Kooduthurai to become Noyyal River.[citation needed]
After running through a distance of 180 km (110 mi), Noyyal joins with river Cauvery near Kodumudi, the place is also called Noyyal,Karur District. Apart from these three rivers, there are numerous rivulets that also join Noyyal. But most of these rivulets carry water only during the rainy season and therefore are not perennial. According to the available sources, the number of rivulets are 34.[citation needed]
The river has a valley fill (made ofalluvialkankar soil) over a stretch of 25 km (16 mi) and a depth of 198 ft (60 m). It extends from the origin of the river at Kooduthurai (in Madhvarayapuram, 30 km (19 mi) west of the city) to the Ukkadam Tank on the city border. The fill absorbs water like a sponge. Only when the absorption reaches a saturation point does excess water flow to the suburbs and the city.[citation needed]
Noyyal contains two major damOrathuppalayam (NearChennimalai) andAathupalayam Dam (NearVellakoil) commissioned in the aim of irrigating about 20,000 acres of land inTirupur andKarur districts. As of now Orathuppalayam dam stands decommissioned and acting as effluent tank for the Tirupur textile units.[citation needed]
The river has 23check dams. Decades ago, it irrigated 3,550 square kilometres (1,370 sq mi). Noyyal revival over 40 km (25 mi) will enable irrigation of 165 km2 (64 sq mi), according to Siruthuli.[citation needed]
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