IDUKKI DAM "EMPOWER IAS"

In news:

• With predictions by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) of a fresh bout of heavy rainfall in Kerala starting Wednesday, as a precautionary measure, water was released from the Idukki reservoir.

 

About:

• This is the second time in three years that water has been released from the reservoir, the largest in the state and one of the highest arch dams in Asia.
• Since the reservoir itself does not have shutters, two sluice gates of the Cheruthoni dam, part of the reservoir, were opened by 50 cm to release 100 cumecs of water.
• When the shutters are opened, water will first reach the Cheruthoni river through the spillway and join the Periyar river at Vellakayam. Subsequently, the water will travel through areas like Thadiyambad and Karimban, followed by Chelachuvadu, Keerithodu and Pambla forest areas to reach the Lower Periyar dam.
• In anticipation of the opening of the Idukki reservoir, shutters of the Bhoothathankettu and Idamalayar dams had already been opened for smooth flow of water. 

 

 

Idukki Dam

• Idukki dam in kerala is constructed across the Periyar river, the longest river in kerala.
• It is one of the highest arch dams in the continent, measuring 550ft in height.
• It was commissioned in the year 1973 with financial aid from Canada.
• It is built between two granite hills such as Kuravanmala and kuravathimala.
• It is owned by the Kerala State Electricity Board.
• It supports a hydroelectric power station in Moolamattom.
• The hydel project is receiving water from two other dams at Cheruthoni and Kulamavu.
• The water levels in the reservoir are rising at an alarming rate as a result of the record high rains Kerala has received this monsoon.
• It has prompted authorities in Kerala to issue an "Orange Alert" - a precautionary messages to the public in light of possibility of water release from the reservoir.
• The dam is going to be reopened after 26 years. Previous opening was in 1981 and 1992.