Idukki Dam
The Idukki Dam, located in Kerala, India, is a 168.91 m tall arch dam. The dam stands between the two mountains - Kuravanmala m and Kurathimala m. It was constructed and is owned by the Kerala State Electricity Board
Dam
In the heart of the District lies the 'IDUKKI DAM' - Asia's biggest Arch Dam of 555 feet height proudly standing between the two mountains - 'Kuravanmala' (839 meters) and 'Kurathimala' (925 meters ). This prestigeous project of our nation is situated in Idukki District and its underground Power House is located at Moolamattom which is about 19 kms from Thodupuzha. Idukki Dam is 43 kms away from Moolamattom.
Dam History
The possibility of Hydroelecric development at Idukki was first conceived in 1919. As per history Shri Kolumban, the head of 'Araya' race during 1922 showed the way, to the Malankara Estate Superintendent and his friend Thomas, who were on hunting spree in the forest, the spot of present Arch Dam. He told them of the legend of Kuravan and Kurathi Hills. The mind of Thomas was stirred by the sight of water flow between the mountains and his idea made the dream true of Idukki Arch Dam. Sri. W.J.John of Malankara Estate submitted a report to the Government of Travancore in 1932 on the possiability of constructing a dam at Idukki for Power Generation.
In 1947 Sri.P.Joseph John,then Chief Electrical Engineer to the Government of Travancore made a preliminary investigation report. On the request made by the Government, the Central Water and Power Commission took up detailed investigation in 1956. The project report was prepared in 1961 and the Planning Commission accorded sanction for implementing the scheme in 1963 and the preliminary works of the project were started.
The project was posed for Canadian aid and its scope was enlarged and a revised project report was drawn up in 1956-66. The construction of this Dam commenced on 30 April 1969. Storage of water in idukki reservoir commenced in February,1973. The inauguration of trial run of the first machine was celebrated on 4th October,1975. Commercial operation of the Power Station was Commissioned on 12 February 1976 by the then Hon. Prime Minister Smt. Indira Gandhi.
Construction of this Arch Dam and two other dams at Cheruthony and Kulamavu has created an artificial lake of 60 sq. kms. width and the water stored, is utilised for production of electricity at the unique Moolamattom Power house, which is located inside the rocky caves.
Foreign Aid
The Government of Canada aided the Project with long term loans and grants. M/s S.N.C.Inc., Canada, a well-known firm of Consulting Engineers were advising and assisting Project Engineers under the Canadian Aid.
Project in Brief
The Project harnesses a major portion of the power potential of Periyar, the largest river in Kerala State, by the creation of a reservoir of 2,000 M.cum (2 Billion Tonnes) capacity, diversion of waters thus impounded through a water conductor system consisting of a power tunnel and two underground pressure shafts to an underground power house situated in Muvattupuzha Valley.
1. Valiar
2. Bye-pass Channel
3. Nachar Carried through super passage
4. Tailrace channel
5. Tailracetunnel
6. Underground power house nozzle level +54.86m,
7. Pressure shafts
8. Surge shaft
9. Headrace tunnel
10. Kulamavu dam
11. Intake conduit sill level +670.73m
12. Kulamavu basin
13. Cheruthony dam crest level +736.28m
14. Idukki arch dam crest level +736.28m
15. Idukki reservoir frl + 732.62m
16. Butterfly valve chamber
17. Kulamavu channel
The installed capacity of the Power House is 780MW consisting of 6 Units of 180 MW each.The regulated waters of Periyar falls through a drop of about 669.2 metres (2195 feet) while generating power in the underground power house. The tail waters flowing to Kudayathurpuzha through tunnel and open channel will later be diverted for irrigation purposes in the Muvattupuzha Valley.
News
Kochi braces for opening of Idukki dam
Officials say a warning will be issued six hours before the shutters are opened to give people enough time to move to higher ground
The district on Saturday was in preparatory mode for the possibility of opening the shutters of the Idukki dam. The water level in the dam by Saturday evening stood at 2,401.5 ft, a foot and half short of the dam limit.
The authorities said they would analyse the situation on Sunday and would have to open the dam if the level rose any more.
Officials of the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) said they would issue a warning six hours before the dam opened. This would give people enough time to move to higher ground.
“It is possible that check dams on the Periyar may get blocked by the dirt and bits of trees flowing down the water. We have alerted all the local bodies at such places so they can warn the people,” said KSEB Dam Safety chief engineer K.K. Karuppan Kutty. Officials said all preparations had been made to evacuate people in case the dam is opened.
A meeting of officials from different departments held on Saturday afternoon also decided to hold meetings at ward level at areas with risk of flooding. “This is to ensure that the people are made aware of the risk and the evacuation measures in place,” Mr. Kutty said.
Office-bearers of the Aluva municipality visited areas on the banks of the Periyar to oversee safety measures and inform people. “The KSEB has informed us that the water level could rise only by three or four feet maximum. It will also be about four hours before the water reaches Aluva. So we have enough time to evacuate people if necessary,” said M.T. Jacob, chairman of Aluva municipality.
Thottakkattukara and Chembakassery are two areas in Aluva that could possibly be flooded in case the shutters of the dam are opened. Mr. Jacob said preparations had been made at schools, flats and a church in the area in case people had to be evacuated. Arrangements to bring food to those evacuated had also been made, he said.
The international airport at Nedumbassery has also set up an emergency management cell to prepare for possible flooding.
“We have checked all canals through which water flows out and have also dug new canals temporarily. Equipment to pump water out is also on standby,” said a spokesperson for the airport.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
As Idukki dam opening looms, officials prepare for the worst
Around 100 families will be shifted to safety in the event of opening of the Idukki dam shutters.
A meeting of the district disaster management authority held on Friday also decided to activate the emergency and rescue operation measures in the wake of apprehensions that the water will be released from the dam within two days.
According to an official communication, the control room of the Kerala State Electricity Board will alert the district administration at least six hours before raising the dam shutters.
It will take another six hours for the water to reach Kothamangalam, Perumbavoor and Aluva areas. In effect, the administration would get 12 hours for emergency relief works, said the communication.
The low-lying areas of the Periyar face the threat of flooding. Water level in the canals in the area may go up in case of the opening of the dam shutters.
Tahasildars were instructed to rehabilitate people to safe areas in the event of flooding. Announcement squads will be deployed for alerting people.
The service of officials of Revenue, Police, Fire and Rescue and Irrigation departments will be made available for emergency relief and rescue works, the communication said.
Evacuation or rehabilitation will be required in Kochi, Aluva, Paravur and Kothamangalam taluks. The tahasildars were also asked to find out the number of families that will have to be moved to relief shelters.
A general caution has been sounded in the wake of the emergency situation, said an official who attended the meeting.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Idukki dam shutters may not be opened
Shutters of the Idukki arch dam may not be opened just yet, in the light of a sustained weakening of rains in the catchment areas.
Water level in Kerala’s largest reservoir now stands at 2,401.7 feet, merely 0.8 feet away from the threshold when the protocol for opening of the shutters gets triggered.
The full reservoir level is 2,403 feet, but the impounded water will not be allowed to get to that level, according to the Kerala State Electricity Board, which owns and operates the dam.
The spill ways of reservoir are built into the Cheruthoni dam, located 1 km west to west of arch dam. There are five shutters here, two of which would be opened when required.
Cheruthoni joins the Idukki arch dam and the Kulamavu dam to hold back water to create an artificial lake of 60 sq km at a height of 2,300 km above sea level.
The water stored is used for production of electricity at the Moolamattom power house, which is reputedly the biggest underground power station in the country.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Idukki dam close to brim, likely to be opened
Idukki/ Kochi: With the water level in Kerala's largest hydro electric reservoir Idukki rising close to the Full Reservoir Level due to incessant rains, the authorities today sounded the possibility of draining excess water down the Periyar river.
In Kochi, an emergency cell was constituted at the international airport at nearby Nedumbassery to ensure that operations are not affected in case there is flooding if the shutters of the Idukki dam are opened.
The Idukki district administration held an emergency meeting and worked out a contingency plan to ensure the safety of people living in downstream areas close to the dam.
The Kerala State Electricity Board also monitored the situation and decided on the modalities of opening at least one of the shutters if the water level rose further.
According to KSEB Chief Engineer (Dams) K K Karappankutty, the water mark in the dam had touched 98 per cent of 2,403 feet and if it rose by one more feet, one or two shutters would have to be opened.
This would not pose any danger to people in the area though they would be informed of the situation in advance.
Though there was a let up in rains in catchment areas, the inflow is still on and if the current situation continued the shutters would be opened to release water through Periyar, a major lifeline of Kerala, stretching upto Aluva near Kochi.
If the dam's shutters are opened, the Periyar could get swollen but it would not pose any serious threat to people living on the banks, officials said.
They said the dam was opened in a similar situation some 21 years back without causing any danger to people downstream.
State Revenue Minister Adoor Prakash said in the state capital there was no need for panic as the official machinery had been fully geared up to ensure safety of the people.
A contingent of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has been requisitioned as a precautionary measure.
State Electricity Minister Aryadan Muhammad said if it was essential to release excess water it would be done only during the day time.
Meanwhile, a report from Sabarimala said nearly 3,000 Ayyappa pilgrims have been stranded at the "Sannidhanam" and the base camp downhill as the river Pampa is overflowing due to opening of shutters of the upstream Muzhiyar dam.
The pilgrims, returning home after worshipping at the hill shrine which opened for the monthly poojas, got held up as they could not cross the swollen river as the 'Thriveni bridge" got submerged, police sources at Sabarimala said.
However, they are safe and police and fire force personnel have started helping them cross the bridge in small batches to get to the road where buses and private vehicles are parked.
The Idukki Dam, located in Kerala, India, is a 168.91 m tall arch dam. The dam stands between the two mountains - Kuravanmala m and Kurathimala m. It was constructed and is owned by the Kerala State Electricity Board
Dam
In the heart of the District lies the 'IDUKKI DAM' - Asia's biggest Arch Dam of 555 feet height proudly standing between the two mountains - 'Kuravanmala' (839 meters) and 'Kurathimala' (925 meters ). This prestigeous project of our nation is situated in Idukki District and its underground Power House is located at Moolamattom which is about 19 kms from Thodupuzha. Idukki Dam is 43 kms away from Moolamattom.
Dam History
In 1947 Sri.P.Joseph John,then Chief Electrical Engineer to the Government of Travancore made a preliminary investigation report. On the request made by the Government, the Central Water and Power Commission took up detailed investigation in 1956. The project report was prepared in 1961 and the Planning Commission accorded sanction for implementing the scheme in 1963 and the preliminary works of the project were started.
The project was posed for Canadian aid and its scope was enlarged and a revised project report was drawn up in 1956-66. The construction of this Dam commenced on 30 April 1969. Storage of water in idukki reservoir commenced in February,1973. The inauguration of trial run of the first machine was celebrated on 4th October,1975. Commercial operation of the Power Station was Commissioned on 12 February 1976 by the then Hon. Prime Minister Smt. Indira Gandhi.
Construction of this Arch Dam and two other dams at Cheruthony and Kulamavu has created an artificial lake of 60 sq. kms. width and the water stored, is utilised for production of electricity at the unique Moolamattom Power house, which is located inside the rocky caves.
Foreign Aid
The Government of Canada aided the Project with long term loans and grants. M/s S.N.C.Inc., Canada, a well-known firm of Consulting Engineers were advising and assisting Project Engineers under the Canadian Aid.
Project in Brief
The Project harnesses a major portion of the power potential of Periyar, the largest river in Kerala State, by the creation of a reservoir of 2,000 M.cum (2 Billion Tonnes) capacity, diversion of waters thus impounded through a water conductor system consisting of a power tunnel and two underground pressure shafts to an underground power house situated in Muvattupuzha Valley.
1. Valiar
2. Bye-pass Channel
3. Nachar Carried through super passage
4. Tailrace channel
5. Tailracetunnel
6. Underground power house nozzle level +54.86m,
7. Pressure shafts
8. Surge shaft
9. Headrace tunnel
10. Kulamavu dam
11. Intake conduit sill level +670.73m
12. Kulamavu basin
13. Cheruthony dam crest level +736.28m
14. Idukki arch dam crest level +736.28m
15. Idukki reservoir frl + 732.62m
16. Butterfly valve chamber
17. Kulamavu channel
The installed capacity of the Power House is 780MW consisting of 6 Units of 180 MW each.The regulated waters of Periyar falls through a drop of about 669.2 metres (2195 feet) while generating power in the underground power house. The tail waters flowing to Kudayathurpuzha through tunnel and open channel will later be diverted for irrigation purposes in the Muvattupuzha Valley.
News
Kochi braces for opening of Idukki dam
Officials say a warning will be issued six hours before the shutters are opened to give people enough time to move to higher ground
The district on Saturday was in preparatory mode for the possibility of opening the shutters of the Idukki dam. The water level in the dam by Saturday evening stood at 2,401.5 ft, a foot and half short of the dam limit.
The authorities said they would analyse the situation on Sunday and would have to open the dam if the level rose any more.
Officials of the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) said they would issue a warning six hours before the dam opened. This would give people enough time to move to higher ground.
“It is possible that check dams on the Periyar may get blocked by the dirt and bits of trees flowing down the water. We have alerted all the local bodies at such places so they can warn the people,” said KSEB Dam Safety chief engineer K.K. Karuppan Kutty. Officials said all preparations had been made to evacuate people in case the dam is opened.
A meeting of officials from different departments held on Saturday afternoon also decided to hold meetings at ward level at areas with risk of flooding. “This is to ensure that the people are made aware of the risk and the evacuation measures in place,” Mr. Kutty said.
Office-bearers of the Aluva municipality visited areas on the banks of the Periyar to oversee safety measures and inform people. “The KSEB has informed us that the water level could rise only by three or four feet maximum. It will also be about four hours before the water reaches Aluva. So we have enough time to evacuate people if necessary,” said M.T. Jacob, chairman of Aluva municipality.
Thottakkattukara and Chembakassery are two areas in Aluva that could possibly be flooded in case the shutters of the dam are opened. Mr. Jacob said preparations had been made at schools, flats and a church in the area in case people had to be evacuated. Arrangements to bring food to those evacuated had also been made, he said.
The international airport at Nedumbassery has also set up an emergency management cell to prepare for possible flooding.
“We have checked all canals through which water flows out and have also dug new canals temporarily. Equipment to pump water out is also on standby,” said a spokesperson for the airport.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Around 100 families will be shifted to safety in the event of opening of the Idukki dam shutters.
A meeting of the district disaster management authority held on Friday also decided to activate the emergency and rescue operation measures in the wake of apprehensions that the water will be released from the dam within two days.
According to an official communication, the control room of the Kerala State Electricity Board will alert the district administration at least six hours before raising the dam shutters.
It will take another six hours for the water to reach Kothamangalam, Perumbavoor and Aluva areas. In effect, the administration would get 12 hours for emergency relief works, said the communication.
The low-lying areas of the Periyar face the threat of flooding. Water level in the canals in the area may go up in case of the opening of the dam shutters.
Tahasildars were instructed to rehabilitate people to safe areas in the event of flooding. Announcement squads will be deployed for alerting people.
The service of officials of Revenue, Police, Fire and Rescue and Irrigation departments will be made available for emergency relief and rescue works, the communication said.
Evacuation or rehabilitation will be required in Kochi, Aluva, Paravur and Kothamangalam taluks. The tahasildars were also asked to find out the number of families that will have to be moved to relief shelters.
A general caution has been sounded in the wake of the emergency situation, said an official who attended the meeting.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Idukki dam shutters may not be openedShutters of the Idukki arch dam may not be opened just yet, in the light of a sustained weakening of rains in the catchment areas.
Water level in Kerala’s largest reservoir now stands at 2,401.7 feet, merely 0.8 feet away from the threshold when the protocol for opening of the shutters gets triggered.
The full reservoir level is 2,403 feet, but the impounded water will not be allowed to get to that level, according to the Kerala State Electricity Board, which owns and operates the dam.
The spill ways of reservoir are built into the Cheruthoni dam, located 1 km west to west of arch dam. There are five shutters here, two of which would be opened when required.
Cheruthoni joins the Idukki arch dam and the Kulamavu dam to hold back water to create an artificial lake of 60 sq km at a height of 2,300 km above sea level.
The water stored is used for production of electricity at the Moolamattom power house, which is reputedly the biggest underground power station in the country.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Idukki dam close to brim, likely to be opened
Idukki/ Kochi: With the water level in Kerala's largest hydro electric reservoir Idukki rising close to the Full Reservoir Level due to incessant rains, the authorities today sounded the possibility of draining excess water down the Periyar river.
In Kochi, an emergency cell was constituted at the international airport at nearby Nedumbassery to ensure that operations are not affected in case there is flooding if the shutters of the Idukki dam are opened.
The Idukki district administration held an emergency meeting and worked out a contingency plan to ensure the safety of people living in downstream areas close to the dam.
The Kerala State Electricity Board also monitored the situation and decided on the modalities of opening at least one of the shutters if the water level rose further.
According to KSEB Chief Engineer (Dams) K K Karappankutty, the water mark in the dam had touched 98 per cent of 2,403 feet and if it rose by one more feet, one or two shutters would have to be opened.
This would not pose any danger to people in the area though they would be informed of the situation in advance.
Though there was a let up in rains in catchment areas, the inflow is still on and if the current situation continued the shutters would be opened to release water through Periyar, a major lifeline of Kerala, stretching upto Aluva near Kochi.
If the dam's shutters are opened, the Periyar could get swollen but it would not pose any serious threat to people living on the banks, officials said.
They said the dam was opened in a similar situation some 21 years back without causing any danger to people downstream.
State Revenue Minister Adoor Prakash said in the state capital there was no need for panic as the official machinery had been fully geared up to ensure safety of the people.
A contingent of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has been requisitioned as a precautionary measure.
State Electricity Minister Aryadan Muhammad said if it was essential to release excess water it would be done only during the day time.
Meanwhile, a report from Sabarimala said nearly 3,000 Ayyappa pilgrims have been stranded at the "Sannidhanam" and the base camp downhill as the river Pampa is overflowing due to opening of shutters of the upstream Muzhiyar dam.
The pilgrims, returning home after worshipping at the hill shrine which opened for the monthly poojas, got held up as they could not cross the swollen river as the 'Thriveni bridge" got submerged, police sources at Sabarimala said.
However, they are safe and police and fire force personnel have started helping them cross the bridge in small batches to get to the road where buses and private vehicles are parked.
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