Pandiyar

Punnappuzha is a

tributary A tributary, or an ''affluent'', is a stream or river that flows into a larger stream (''main stem'' or ''"parent"''), river, or a lake. A tributary does not flow directly into a sea or ocean. Tributaries, and the main stem river into which they ...

of Karimpuzha, which is the biggest tributary of the

Chaliyar Chaliyar River () is the fourth longest river in Kerala at 169 km in length. The Chaliyar is also known as Chulika River, Nilambur River or Beypore River as it is near the sea. Pothukal, Chungathara, Nilambur, Mampad, Edavanna, Kavano ...

river in

Kerala Kerala ( , ) is a States and union territories of India, state on the Malabar Coast of India. It was formed on 1 November 1956, following the passage of the States Reorganisation Act, by combining Malayalam-speaking regions of the erstwhile ...

, India. Punnappuzha is also known as Pandiyar when it flows through Tamil Nadu. One branch of this river originate from northern slopes of

Mukurthi Mukurthi Peak is one of the highest peaks in the Western Ghats, situated on the border of Udagamandalam taluk, Nilgiris, Tamil Nadu, Nilambur taluk, Malappuram, and Kerala in India. It reaches an altitude of 2,554 m (8,379ft), and is the fifth ...

National Park and another branch from Gudalur, in

Nilagiri Nilagiri is a town and a Notified Area Council in Balasore district in the Indian state of Odisha. History Nilgiri is a very small town but replete with rich history and heritage. Its history can be traced back to the Palaeolithic age. I ...

district of

Tamil Nadu Tamil Nadu (; , TN) is the southernmost States and union territories of India, state of India. The List of states and union territories of India by area, tenth largest Indian state by area and the List of states and union territories of Indi ...

. These two branches join together 5 km south-west of Gudalur town. When it reaches

Edakkara Edakkara is a town located in the Malappuram district of the Indian state of Kerala. It is an emerging commercial hub and one of the busiest towns in Nilambur Taluk. Edakkara is the most developed city in Nilambur. Location Edakkara is located n ...

, the river Maruthappuzha joins with it. Punnappuzha ends its course by merging with Karimpuzha one kilometer before the Karimpuzha bridge.

Nilambur Nilambur () is a major town, a municipality and a Taluk in the Malappuram district of the Indian state of Kerala. It is located close to the Nilgiri Mountains, Nilgiris range of the Western Ghats on the banks of the Chaliyar River. This place is ...

Vazhikkadavu Vazhikkadavu is a village in Nilambur taluk of Malappuram district, Kerala, India. As of 2011, it a has total population of 47,322. Geography It is located on the CNG (Calicut-Nilambur-Gudalur) road, 20 km northeast of Nilambur. Just after Va ...

Chungathara Chungathara is a village panchayat in Nilambur Taluk in Malappuram district, Kerala, India. It is one of the smallest gramapnachayat in Kerala. It is surrounded by Western Ghats. Geography Two rivers, Chaliyar and Punnappuzha, pass through ...

and

are the major towns on the bank of Punnappuzha. There are bridges built at Kattadi, Muppini and Muttikkadavu across Punnappuzha. Rivers of Malappuram district Rivers of the Western Ghats {{Kerala-river-stub