Erode District

Erode District

Erode District (ஈரோடு மாவட்டம்) is a northern district of the state of Tamil Nadu, India, with Erode as its headquarters.

Until the year 1996, Erode district was named as Periyar District. Erode District was a part of Coimbatore District until Coimbatore was bifurcated on August 31, 1979. It is also the home of social reformer Periyar (E.V. Ramasamy and mathematician Ramanujan.

Erode district had a population of 2,581,500 as of 2001. It is 46.25% urbanised as per Census 2001. The district has a literacy rate of 75.51% and is on the rise.

Geography

The district is bounded by Karnataka to the north, and by Kaveri River to the east. Across the Kaveri lies Salem, Namakkal and Karur districts. Dindigul District lies immediately to the south, and Coimbatore and the Nilgiris district lies to the west. Erode District is landlocked and is 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 Kaveri river in the south-east. Three major tributaries of river Kaveri, the Bhavani, Noyyal and Amaravati, drain the long stretch of mountains in the north. Other significant rivers are Palar in the north and 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 these rivers provide proper drainage and facilities for assured irrigation in the district.

Climate

The climate is dry and characterised by scanty rainfall. The maximum rainfall is recorded in sullithottam and Bhavani taluks. Unlike nearby Coimbatore district, Erode District has dry weather throughout the year except during the monsoons. The Palghat Gap in Western Ghats, which has a moderating effect on the climate of Coimbatore district, does not help in bringing down the dry climate in this area. The cool moist wind that gushes out of the west coast through Palghat gap loses 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 from the oppressive heat. However there is a slight improvement in the climate during the June-August period. During the pre-monsoon period, the temperature reverses its trend. By September the sky gets heavily overcast, although 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.

    Revenue Divisions                         2

    Taluks                                          5

    Blocks                                        14

    Corporation & Municipalities         11

    Town Panchayats                        53

    Revenue Villages                       368

    Panchayat Villages                    343