Athirapally waterfalls
| Athirappilly Water Falls | |
|---|---|
| അതിരപ്പിള്ളി വെള്ളച്ചാട്ടം | |
| Location | Ayyampuzha- Athrappilli border, Kerala, India |
| Coordinates | 10°17′5″N 76°34′7″E / 10.28472°N 76.56861°ECoordinates: 10°17′5″N 76°34′7″E / 10.28472°N 76.56861°E |
| Type | Segmented |
| Elevation | 120 m (390 ft) |
| Total height | 25 m (82 ft) |
| Number of drops | 4 |
| Total width | 100 m (330 ft) |
| Watercourse | Chalakkudi River |
| Average flow rate |
52 m3/s (1,836 cu ft/s) |
Athirappilly Falls the most famous waterfalls of Kerala, Athirappally falls is situated at the border of Ayyampuzha Panchayat in Aluva Taluk of Ernakulam District and Athirappilly in Chalakudy Thaluk in Thrissur district of Kerala , India on the Chalakudy River , which originates from the upper reaches of the Western Ghats. At the entrance to the Sholayar ranges is the largest waterfall in Kerala, Athirapally, which stands tall at 80 feet. Just a short drive from Athirapally, the Vazhachal waterfall is close to dense green forests that are home to many endangered and endemic species of flora and fauna.
There is another waterfall on the way from Athirappilly to Vazhachal Falls, in close proximity to the road and is locally called “Charpa Falls”. Athirappilly Falls is the largest waterfall in Kerala and is nicknamed "The Niagara of India". Controversy about a state-proposed hydroelectric dam on the Chalakudy River above the waterfalls began in the 1990s and has continued through 2011.
The 145 kilometres (90 mi) long Chalakudy River, originates in the Anamudi mountains of the Western Ghats and flows through the Vazhachal Forest toward the Arabian Sea. The river initially runs smoothly but becomes more turbulent as it nears Ayyampuzha. At Athirappilly Falls, the water surges around big rocks and cascades down in three separate plumes. Below the falls, the river remains turbulent for about 1 kilometre (0.62 mi) until it reaches Kannamkuzhi. Then it calms and flows smoothly until reaching the dam at Thumburmuzhi.
Forest wildlife in the area includes the Asiatic elephant, tiger, leopard, bison, sambar, and lion-tailed macaque. The unique 180 metres (590 ft) elevation riparian forest in the Athirappilly-Vazhachal area is the only location where all four South Indian species of hornbills — the great hornbill (the state bird of Kerala), Malabar pied hornbill, Malabar grey hornbill, and the Indian grey hornbill are found living together. If the proposed 163-MW Athirappilly hydroelectric project is built, these unique birds may vanish from these forests because it will submerge the hornbills' habitat.
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Wikipedia