Chaliyar, one of the major rivers of
Kerala, originates from the Ilambalari (
Elembalai) Hills in
Gudalur of
Nilgiris District (in
Tamil Nadu). This 169 km long river has a total drainage area of 2,923 sq km, of which 2,535 sq km is in Kerala and the rest in Tamil Nadu. The river flows through
Wayanad,
Malappuram and
Kozhikode districts.
Chaliyar River is known in the lower reaches, which form part of the West Coast Inland Navigation system, as the Beypore River. Nilambur, Mampad, Edavanna, Arikkod, Vazhakkad and Feroke are situated along this river. The Chaliyar joins the Arabian Sea near Beypore.
The Kavanakallu Regulator cum bridge is constructed over the Chaliyar River, 13 km away from Kondotty Hill. About 27 km from Nilambur, beyond the Chaliyar is Valamthode.
The important tributaries of the Chaliyar are Chalipuzha, Punnapuzha, Pandiyar, Karimpuzha, Vadapurampuzha, Iringipuzha and Iruthilpuzha.
