Erode District

Erode District (Tamil: ஈரோடு மாவட்டம்) is a northern district of the state of Tamil Nadu, India, withErode as its headquarters.

Until the year 1996, Erode district was named asPeriyar District. Erode District was a part of Coimbatore District until Coimbatore was bifurcated on September 17, 1979. It is also the home of social reformer Periyar (E.V. Ramasamy) and mathematician Ramanujan.

Erode district had a population of 2,581,500 as of 2001. It is 46.25% urbanised as per Census 2001.The district has a literacy rate of 75.51% and is on the rise.

Geography

The district is bounded by Chamarajanagar district of Karnataka to the north, and by Kaveri River to the east. Across the Kaveri lies Salem, Namakkal and Karur districts. Tirupur District lies immediately to the south, and Coimbatore and the Nilgiris district lies to the west. Erode District is landlocked and is situated at between 10 36” and 11 58” north latitude and between 76 49” and 77 58” east longitude.

The district comprises a long undulating plain, sloping gently towards the Kaveri river in the south-east. Three major tributaries of river Kaveri, the Bhavani, Noyyal and Amaravati, drain the long stretch of mountains in the north. Other significant rivers are Palar in the north and Vatamalaikarai odai and Uppar rivers in the south. The Palar constitutes the boundary between Erode district and Karnataka in the north. The Bhavanisagar main canal along with these rivers provide proper drainage and facilities for assured irrigation in the district.

Bhavani River

Bhavani rises in the Western Ghats of Silent Valley National Park in Palakkad District of Kerala. It receives the Siruvani River which has the second tastiest water in the world, a perennial stream of Coimbatore District, and gets reinforced by the Kundah river before entering Erode District inSathyamangalam. Bhavani is more or less a perennial river fed mostly by the southwest monsoon. The northeast monsoon also supplements its water resources. This river runs for over hundred miles through Erode District, traversing Bhavani and Gobichettipalayam taluks. It feeds the Bhavanisagar reservoir, which takes an easterly course after Sathyamangalam taluk. Between Sathyamangalam andGobichettipalayam lies the Kodivery Dam, a mini dam constructed for agricultural purposes. Then it flows through Gobichettipalayam and Bhavani taluks before it ultimately joins Kaveri in the island ofBhavani, Tamil Nadu, near Erode, with a holistic tributary river of Amutha Nathi, hence called Tiriveni Sangamam. The place where Bhavani joins with Kaveri River is famous for Sangameshwara Temple of Lord Shiva, where according to the Hindu customs people perform the last rights for deceased near and dears.

Kaveri River

Kaveri rises in the Western Ghats of Kodagu (Coorg) District, in Karnataka, and is joined by many small tributaries. It runs eastward through Karnataka, and at Hogenakal fall takes a sharp turn, east to south. Before reaching this point, it is joined by its main tributary, theKabini River. From here it runs towards the southeast, forming the boundary between Bhavani Taluk of Erode District and Tiruchengode Taluk of the neighbouringNamakkal District. The Bhavani River joins the Kaveri at the town of Bhavani.

Noyyal River

Noyyal river is noted for its capricious nature. This is fed mostly by the southwest monsoon but the northeast monsoon brings freshes, and this very often results in floods. In spite of its unpredictable character, the river helps to irrigate considerable areas in Palladam taluk of Coimbatore District andKangeyam taluk of Erode District.But due to the chemical waste came from tirupur dying factories this river water cannot used for the agriculture.

Amaravati River

Amaravati river rises in the Travancore region of Kerala, and enters Erode District from Udumalaippettai taluk in Coimbatore District. The river flows through Dharapuram and Kangeyam taluk before it joins Kaveri in Karur District.

Climate

The climate is dry and characterised by scanty rainfall. The maximum rainfall is recorded in Bhavani taluk. Unlike nearby Coimbatore district, Erode District has dry weather throughout the year except during the monsoons. The Palghat Gap in Western Ghats, which has a moderating effect on the climate of Coimbatore district, does not help in bringing down the dry climate in this area. The cool moist wind that gushes out of the west coast through Palghat gap loses its coolness and becomes dry by the time it crosses Coimbatore district and reaches Erode.

Generally the first two months of the year are pleasant, but in March the temperature begins to rise, which persists till the end of May. The highest temperatures are normally recorded during May. The scanty showers during this period do not provide much relief from the oppressive heat. However there is a slight improvement in the climate during the June-August period. During the pre-monsoon period, the temperature reverses its trend. By September the sky gets heavily overcast, although the rains are meagre. The northeast monsoon sets in vigorously only during October-November, and by December the rains disappear, rendering the climate clear but pleasant.

G.Natarajan