Studies on Estuary of Thamirabarani River, Tamilnadu, India

¹ Consultant, Indian Institute of Technology, Madras, India - 600036;
² Professor-Emertius, Indian Institute of Technology, Madras, India - 600036;
³ Professor, Adi Shankara Institute of Engineering and Technology, Kalady, India - 683574;
⁴ Asst.Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, SSN College Kalavakkam, India – 603110;

Email: sureshpk2000@gmail.com
Email: rsun@iitm.ac.in
Email: dkollu@gmail.com
Email: surendarn@ssn.edu.in

Abstract

The state of Tamilnadu is located along the south west of Indian peninsula. The state has nearly 40 river basin and most of them are seasonal. The river Thamirabarani is one of the perennial rivers covering 3 districts namely Tenkasi, Tirunelveli and Tuticorin. The river originates from the eastern side of the west coast and confluences with Bay of Bengal at a village called Punnakayal in Tuticorin district. The Thamirabarani river is known for its irrigation potential in the upper reaches. By the time it reaches the lower end, the flow is very low. The east coast is well known for its littoral drift which is dominantly towards the north direction. The village is famous for its fishing potential. The study area of Punnakayal is influenced by two monsoons namely south west and north east. Due to absence of high flow in the non-monsoon period, the estuaries are highly blocked by sand bar formation. Because of this sand bar formation, the fisherman find it difficult to go in to deep sea during low tide time. Hence studies were made and remedial measures were suggested and completed. The details of hydrologic analyses, hydraulic modelling, hydrodynamic studies, assessment of littoral drift remedial measures and post project performance are detailed in the paper.