Cooum River facts for kids
The Cooum River is a small but important river in Chennai, India. It flows for about 72 kilometers (around 45 miles). A big part of it, about 32 kilometers, runs through the city of Chennai. The rest flows through rural areas. This river is special because it's one of the shortest rivers that empties into the Bay of Bengal.
Along with the Adyar River, which flows nearby, the Cooum River helps divide Chennai into different parts. It separates Northern Chennai from Central Chennai.
Where Does the Cooum River Flow?
The Cooum River starts in a place called Cooum or Koovam. This place is in the Tiruvallur district, which is right next to Chennai. From there, the river makes its way through the city before reaching the Bay of Bengal.
Why Is the Cooum River Polluted?
Sadly, the Cooum River, especially the part that flows through Chennai, is very polluted. This pollution happens for several reasons:
- Too much water use: People upstream use a lot of the river's water for farming. This means less water flows downstream.
- Groundwater pumping: Pumping too much water from underground also reduces the river's natural flow.
- Sand at the mouth: Sometimes, sand builds up where the river meets the sea. This can block the river's flow and trap pollution.
- Waste discharge: A major problem is that untreated sewage (wastewater from homes) and waste from factories are often dumped directly into the river.
- Encroachment: People have built homes or businesses too close to the riverbanks. This can make it harder for the river to flow naturally and can add to the pollution.
All these things together have made the Cooum River one of the most polluted waterways in Chennai.
Images for kids
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Causeway at the mouth of Cooum in the Bay of Bengal
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Tidal barriers at the Cooum Delta
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Annual trade fair held at the Island Grounds
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Periyar Bridge Chennai
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The river is one of the most polluted waterbodies in the city
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Coast Guard building on the banks of Cooum
