Water Bodies of South India: Rivers, Lakes, and Coastal Seas

The "South region" (South India — states: Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Puducherry) hosts a dense hydrological network. Major water bodies:

Coastal Seas & Bays

• Bay of Bengal (East)
• Indian Ocean (South)
• Palk Bay (India–Sri Lanka)
• Gulf of Mannar (Biosphere Reserve, coral reefs)

Major Lakes / Lagoons

• Pulicat Lake (TN/AP) — 2nd largest brackish lagoon.
• Vembanad Lake (Kerala) — Longest lake (96 km), backwaters heart.
• Ashtamudi Lake (Kerala) — Ramsar site, 8 arms.
• Kayamkulam Lake (Kerala) — Connected to Vembanad.

Major Rivers (East-Flowing → Bay of Bengal)

• Kaveri (Cauvery) — 805 km, lifeline of TN/Karnataka.
• Krishna — 1,400 km, 2nd largest peninsular.
• Godavari — 1,465 km, largest peninsular (starts in Maharashtra).
• Pennar, Palar, Ponnaiyar, Vaigai, Tamiraparani, Chittar, Neyyar, Periyar (Kerala, west-flowing), Bharathapuzha, Pamba, Meenachil, Muvattupuzha, Chalakudy.

Major Rivers (West-Flowing → Arabian Sea)

• Periyar (244 km, Kerala) — Idukki Dam.
• Bharathapuzha (209 km) — "Nila," cultural icon.
• Netravati, Sharavati (Jog Falls), Kali, Mandovi, Zuari (Goa).

Tributaries Listed (Selected)

• Tungabhadra, Bhima (Krishna)
• Musi, Koyna, Warna (Krishna/Godavari)
• Kaveri tributaries: Bhavani, Noyyal, Amaravati, Kabini

South India's water security depends on monsoon-fed rivers, interstate tribunals (Cauvery, Krishna, Godavari), and fragile lake ecosystems.