Description

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Context:

Madras High Court directed the local bodies in Madurai, Theni, Dindigul, Sivaganga, and Ramanathapuram districts to file an action plan with a timeline to prevent pollution in the Vaigai River.

About Vaigai River

Feature	Details
Location	Tamil Nadu, India
Origin	Varusanadu and Megamalai hills, Western Ghats
Course	Flows through the Pandya Nadu region in a south-easterly direction, rarely causing flooding
Drainage	Palk Strait near Pamban Bridge, Ramanathapuram district
Basin Boundaries	Western Ghats (south and west), Palani Hills (Kodaikanal Hills), Sirumalai Hills, Alagar Hills, Bay of Bengal (east)
Main Water Source	Periyar Dam in Kerala (via a tunnel through Western Ghats)
Tributaries	Suruliyaru, Mullaiyaru, Varaganadhi, Manjalaru, Kottagudi, Kridhumaal, Upparu
Historical Mentions	Sangam literature (circa 300 BC)
Cultural Significance	The main river of the legendary city of Madurai, the capital of the ancient Pandya kingdom
Utility	Meets the drinking water requirements of five districts: Theni, Madurai, Ramnathapuram, Sivagangai, and Dindigul

Tamil Nadu Rivers And Dams

River	Origin	Course/Regions Covered	Drainage/End Point	Major Dams
Cauvery	Talakaveri, Brahmagiri Hills, Western Ghats (Karnataka)	Tamil Nadu, Karnataka	Bay of Bengal	Mettur Dam, Bhavani Sagar Dam, Amaravathi Dam
Vaigai	Varusanadu and Megamalai Hills, Western Ghats	Pandya Nadu, Tamil Nadu	Palk Strait near Pamban Bridge	Periyar Dam (water diverted from Kerala)
Thamirabarani	Pothigai Hills, Western Ghats	Tirunelveli, Thoothukudi	Bay of Bengal	Papanasam Dam, Manimuthar Dam
Palar	Nandi Hills, Karnataka	Vellore, Kanchipuram, Tiruvallur	Bay of Bengal	Palar Anicut
Pennar	Nandi Hills, Karnataka	Dharmapuri, Krishnagiri	Bay of Bengal	Krishnagiri Dam
Bhavani	Nilgiri Hills, Western Ghats	Coimbatore, Erode	Confluence with Cauvery	Bhavanisagar Dam
Amaravathi	Annamalai Hills, Western Ghats	Coimbatore, Tiruppur, Karur	Confluence with Cauvery	Amaravathi Dam
Noyyal	Velliangiri Hills, Western Ghats	Coimbatore, Tiruppur	Confluence with Cauvery	Orathupalayam Dam
Vellar	Servarayan Hills, Eastern Ghats	Salem, Perambalur, Cuddalore	Bay of Bengal	Periya Anaicut
Chittar	Courtallam Hills, Western Ghats	Tirunelveli	Confluence with Thamirabarani	Chittar Dam
Manimuthar	Western Ghats	Tirunelveli	Confluence with Thamirabarani	Manimuthar Dam

READ ABOUT

Vaigai Dam

Source:

THE TIMES OF INDIA

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q. Consider the following statements about the Vaigai River:

The Vaigai River originates from the Megamalai hills in the Western Ghats and flows towards the Bay of Bengal.
The river's main tributaries include Suruliyaru, Mullaiyaru, and Kottagudi, among others.
The Vaigai River serves the drinking water needs of only the Madurai district in Tamil Nadu.
The river is historically mentioned in Sangam literature.

Select the correct answer using the codes below:

1, 2, and 3
1, 2 and 4
1, 3, and 4
2 only

Answer: 2

Explanation:

Statement 1 is correct: The Vaigai River originates from the Varusanadu and Megamalai hills in the Western Ghats and flows towards the Bay of Bengal, meeting the Palk Strait near Pamban Bridge in Ramanathapuram district.

Statement 2 is correct: The main tributaries of the Vaigai River include Suruliyaru, Mullaiyaru, Varaganadhi, Manjalaru, Kottagudi, Kridhumaal, and Upparu.

Statement 3 is incorrect: The Vaigai River does not serve only the Madurai district; it provides drinking water to five districts: Theni, Madurai, Ramnathapuram, Sivagangai, and Dindigul.

Statement 4 is correct: The river has historical significance, being mentioned in the Sangam literature (circa 300 BC), highlighting its cultural importance in the ancient Pandya kingdom.