Erode District
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Erode District is one of the 30 districts of Tamil Nadu State, in southeastern India. The capital of the district is Erode.
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Geography
Erode District lies in northern Tamil Nadu. It is bounded by Karnataka to the north, and by Cauvery River to the east. Across the Cauvery lie Salem, Namakkal and Karur districts. Dindigal District lies immediately to the south, and Coimbatore and The Nilgiris districts lie to the west. Erode District is land-locked, having no seacoast of its own. Erode District situated at between 10 36” and 11 58” north latitude and between 76 49” and 77 58” east longitude. The district comprises a long undulating plain, sloping gently towards the Cauvery River in the south-east. Three major tributaries of river Cauvery, the Bhavani, Noyyal and Amaravathy drain the long stretch of mountains in the north.
History
The district was formerly known as Periyar District, before former Chief Minister M.Karunanidhi, renamed all the districts which had names of political leaders. Erode District was a part of Coimbatore District until Coimbatore was bifurcated on August 31,1979. Erode is also the proud home of social reformer Periyar (E.V. Ramasamy) and genius mathematician Ramanujan.
Economy
Erode District is an important market centre for turmeric, a spice commonly used in curries that is also used as a fabric dye. This turmeric is collected from Erode District and also from adjoining districts of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, including Mysore. Other popular products include Uthukuli butter and Kangayam bulls.
Erode is well known for handloom, powerloom textile products and readymade garments. Products such as cotton sarees, bed spreads, carpets, lungies, printed fabrics, towels, dhotis are marketed here in bulk.
Climate
The climate in general is characterised by scanty rainfall and a dry climate. The maximum rainfall is recorded in Gobichettipalayam and Bhavani taluks. Unlike the nearby Coimbatore District which is blessed with a health-aiding climate, Erode District has dry weather throughout except during the monsoon season. The Palghat Gap in the Western Ghats, which has a moderating effect in the climate of Coimbatore District, does not render much help in bringing down the dry climate in this area. The cool moist wind that gushes out of the west coast through Palghat gap looses its coolness and becomes dry by the time it crosses Coimbatore district and reaches Erode.
Generally the first two months of the year are pleasant, but in March, the temperature begins to rise, which persists till the end of May. The highest temperatures are normally recorded during May. The scanty showers during this period do not provide much relief to the oppressive heat. There is a light improvement in the climate during June-August period. During the pre-monsoon period, the temperature reverses its trend and by September, the sky gets heavily overcast but the rains are meagre. The northeast monsoon sets in vigorously only during October-November, and by December the rains disappear, rendering the climate clear but pleasant.
Transport and communication
The transport and communication system in Erode district is well developed. Erode, being one of the prominent trading centres in the state, is well connected with all modern means of transport and communication except for air service. The nearest airport is at Coimbatore, which is only a few hours by road. District can be accessed by roads and rail from the state capital Chennai and other district headquarters. Erode is an important railway junction on lines coming from the west coast. There are 13 railway stations in the district, 1 in Uthukuli Panchayat Union, 3 in Chennimalai Panchayat Union, 3 in Modakurichi Panchayat Union and 6 in Kodumudi Panchayat Union areas. Navigable waterways are available at 5 places in the district.
There a number of inter-district bus routes operated by the Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation, linking Erode and other prominent towns in Erode district as well as places of significance outside the district. Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation is headquartered at Erode.
The district is also served by a good network of Post and Telegraph offices. There are four postal divisions serving the district with their headquarters at Erode, Tiruppur, Pollachi and Dharapuram. Under the Control of these postal divisions, there are four head-post offices one each at Erode, Bhavani, Gobichettipalayam and Dharapuram. Of these, the first two come under HSGT category while the other two belongs to HSG II category. Apart from the above there are 319 post offices of various description including extra departmental sub-post offices and telegraph offices. In addition, there are numerous branch post offices, combined post and telegraph offices through out the various parts of the district. There are 144 post and telegraph offices, 144 post offices with phone facilities in this district. Erode has a good system of Telephone connection. Erode is connected with State capacity by subscriber trunk dialing system (STD). Telephone connections between various centres in the district have been ensured and within Erode city itself the number of telephone subscribers has been on the raise.
Rivers
The Bhavani, Cauvery, Amaravathy and Noyyal are the main rivers of the district. Other significant rivers are Palar in the north and the Vatamalaikarai odai and Uppar rivers in the south. The Palar constitutes the boundary between Erode district and Karnataka in the north. The Bhavanisagar main canal along with the above mentioned rivers provide proper drainage and facilities for assured irrigation in the district. The Bhavani rises in the Western Ghats of Silent Valley National Park in Palakkad District of Kerala. It receives the Siruvani River, a perennial stream of Coimbatore District, and gets reinforced by the Kundah river before entering Erode District in Gobichettipalayam.
The Bhavani is more or less a perennial river fed mostly by the southwest monsoon. The northeast monsoon also supplements its water resources. This river runs for over hundred miles through Erode District, traversing Bhavani and Gobichettipalayam taluks. It feeds the Bhavanisagar reservoir, which takes an easterly course flowing through Gobichettipalayam, Sathyamangalam and Bhavani taluks before it ultimately joins river Cauvery on the border with Salem District.
The Cauvery rises in the Western Ghats of Kodagu (Coorg) District, in Karnataka, and is joined by many small tributaries. It runs eastward through Karnataka, and at Hogenakal fall takes a sharp turn, east to south. Before reaching this point, it is joined by its main tributary, the Kabini River. From here it runs towards the southeast, forming the boundary between Bhavani Taluk of Erode District and Tiruchengode Taluk of the neighbouring Namakkal District. The Bhavani River joins the Cauvery at the town of Bhavani.
Noyyal river is noted for its capricious nature. This is fed mostly by the southwest monsoon but the northeast monsoon brings freshes, and this very often results in floods. In spite of its unpredictable character, the river helps to irrigate considerable areas in Palladam taluk of Coimbatore District and Dharapuram taluk of Erode District.
The Amaravathy River rises in the Travancore region of Kerala, and enters Erode District from Udumalaippettai taluk in Coimbatore District. The river flows through Dharapuram before it joins Cauvery in Karur District.
Administration
Erode District consists of 7 taluks listed below
The five Municipalities in the district are
- Bhavani
- Dharapuram.
- Erode
- Gobichettipalayam
- Sathyamangalam
Education
Erode has several facilities for higher education including a Medical College, seven Engineering colleges along with as many as 19 Arts and Science Colleges.
External link
- Erode District Site (http://www.erode.tn.nic.in)