ALAPUZHA DISTRICT "Venice of the East"-Down To Kerala

ALAPUZHA - Venice of the East

With the Arabian Sea on the west and a vast network of lakes, lagoons, and fresh water rivers crisis crossing it. Alappuzha is a district of Immense Natural Beauty. Referred to as the Venice of the East by travelers from across the world, this backwater country is also home to diverse animal and bird life. By virtue of its proximity to the sea, the town has always enjoyed a unique place in the maritime history of Kerala. Today Alappuzha is grown in importance as a backwater tourist centre, attracting several thousands of foreign tourists each year. Alappuzha is also famous for its boat races, houseboat holydays, beaches, marine products and coir industry. Here, one can see coconut husks being beaten into fiber for making beautiful mats and coir products. A singular characteristic of this land is the region called Kuttanad. The Bice Bowl of Kerala, Kuttanad is perhaps the only place in the world where farming is done below sea level.

Alappuzha or Alleppey, with its labyrinth, of canals, bridges along silver beach, makes for a memorable holiday. Its cheerful people add to the town's charm. Alappuzha offers enjoyable boat cruises to Kollam along the scenic Vembanad Lake. The never-ending panorama of lush green paddy fields, towering coconut trees, shimmering water and long canals around Alappuzha make a delightful setting for the town.

Climate
The average monthly temperature is 250C. The district also gets the benefit of two outstanding monsoons as in the case of other parts of the state.
Hot season - March to May
Southwest Monsoon (Edavappathi) - June to September
Northeast Monsoon (Thulavarsham) - October to November
Dry weather - December to February
Alappuzha has a flat unbroken sea coast of 82 Km in length which is 13.9 % of the total coastal line of the state. An interesting phenomenon of this seacoast during the month of June is the periodic shifting of mud bank popularly known as "Chakara" within a range of 25 Km in Alappuzha-Purakkad coast due to hydraulic pressure when the level of backwater rises during southwest monsoon.

RIVERS
Manimala River
It originates from Mothavara hills in Kottayam district enters the district at Thalavadi village in Kuttanad taluk and passes through Edathua and Champakulam villages and joins the Pamba river at Muttar.The villages of Manimala, Mallappally, Kaviyoor, Kalloppara, Thalavadi, Kozhimukku and Champakkulam lie in the course of the river Manimala. It has a length of 91.73 Km and drainage area of 802.90 Km.
Pamba River
Pamba, the third longest river in Kerala is formed by several streams originating from Peerumedu plateau in Idukki district, enters Alappuzha district at Chengannur and flows through Pandanad, Veeyapuram, Thakazhy, and Champakulam through a distance 177.08 Km and plunges into vembanad lake through several branches such as Pallathuruthi Ar, Nedumudi Ar and Muttar. The river has a length of 117 Km and is navigable to a length of 73 Km. The catchment area of this river is 1987.17 Sq.Km. The main tributaries of the river are Pambayar, Kakki Ar, Arudai Ar, kakkad Ar and Kallar.
Achankovil River
This river often known as Kulallada river, originates from Pasukida mettu, Ramakkal Theri and Rishimalai of Kollam district enters the district at Venmony and has a catchment area of 1155.14 Sq.Kms and a marginable length of 32.19 Km.It passes through Cheriyanad, Puliyoor and Chengannur villages, enters Mavelikkara Taluk at Chennithala, flows through Thriperumthura and pallippad villages and joins Pamba at Veeyapuram..

Alapuzha at a Glance

District Head Quarters-Alappuzha (Alleppey)
No of Revenue Divisions 2
No of Taluks 6
No of Villages 91
No of Blocks 12
No of Panchayats 73
No Municipalities 5
No of Assembly Segments 11
No of Parliament Segments 1
Area- 1,414 Sq.Km.
Population size- 2,105,350(Approx)
Altitude- Sea level
Area-1414.00 sq. km
Temperature (Mean Max, Mean Min) Summer 35 c Winter 32c ,20c
Rainfall- Annual 299 cms.
Best time to visit August to March Clothing Tropical cottons
Languages spoken Malayalam, Tamil, Hindi and English.
Boundaries Arabian sea on the West

To Reach Alapuzha
Alappuzha is accessible by all the means of communication. The airport nearest to Alappuzha is Kochi at a distance of 64 km north. The Trivandrum airport is located 159 km south of Alappuzha. Cities like Cochin, Chennai, Howrah, Bangalore and Bokaro are well connected to Alappuzha. National Highway 47 goes through Alappuzha connecting it with almost all the nearby places of South India. Alappuzha is also well connected through waterways. Alappuzha is linked by boat and ferry services through the scenic backwaters to Cochin, Kottayam, Kevalam, Changanassery and Chengannur.

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