Peringalkuthu Dam is a concrete dam built across the Chalakkudi River in the Thrissur district, Kerala state of India.[1] It also contains the Peringalkuthu Hydro Electric Power Project of Kerala State Electricity Board, who owns the dam. This is the first hydroelectric power project to be built on the Chalakkudi River. The gross storage capacity of the dam is 32 million cubic meters (1.13 tmc ft). The dam is situated in a deep forest, and special permission is needed to visit the dam.[2][3][4][5][6]

Peringalkuthu Dam
Shutter of Peringalkuthu Dam
Peringalkuthu Dam is located in India
Peringalkuthu Dam
Location of Peringalkuthu Dam in India
Peringalkuthu Dam is located in Kerala
Peringalkuthu Dam
Peringalkuthu Dam (Kerala)
Official namePeringalkuthu Dam
LocationChalakudy, Thrissur, Kerala
Coordinates10°18′55″N 76°38′04″E / 10.3152°N 76.6344°E / 10.3152; 76.6344
Construction began1949
Opening date15 May 1957
Operator(s)Kerala State Electricity Board
Dam and spillways
ImpoundsChalakkudi River
Height23 metres
Length290.25 metres
Reservoir
CreatesChalakkudi River

Reservoir

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The Poringalkuthu reservoir is created by constructing a dam across the Chalakudy River. The inflow of the Poringalkuthu reservoir is contributed partly from the tailwater of upstream Sholayar HEP. In addition, the reservoir receives water from catchments downstream of the Parambikulam and Thunakadavu dams of the PAP Project. The spill waters of the above dams also flow to this reservoir. The water from the Poringalkuthu reservoir is diverted through a water conductor system to two Powerhouses of the Poringalkuthu Hydro Electric Project (PHEP) & Porigalkuthu left bank Extension scheme located on the left bank of the Chalakudy River. After generating power, the water is released into the Chalakudy River.

Peringalkuthu left bank extension

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Dam and its reservoir

The Peringalkuthu left bank extension project was made by laying an additional penstock from the Peringalkuthu reservoir to avoid the dam spill during intense monsoon. The powerhouse comprises one unit of 16 MW capacity. After power generation, water from Peringalkuthu & PLBE is released to the Chalakudi River.[7]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Fact File on Major Dams owned by Kerala State Electricity Board". Expert Eyes. Retrieved 27 June 2013.
  2. ^ "Rains fail to fill dams". Deccan Chronicle. Archived from the original on 22 April 2023. Retrieved 26 July 2013.
  3. ^ "Dam shutters likely to be opened". The Hindu. 4 October 2010. Retrieved 26 July 2013.
  4. ^ "Heavy rain triggers floods". The Hindu. 18 June 2013. Retrieved 26 July 2013.
  5. ^ Prabhakaran, G. (3 July 2013). "Kerala fails to get its full share of PAP waters". The Hindu. Retrieved 26 July 2013.
  6. ^ "Residents picking up the pieces as sea erosion subsides". The Hindu. 5 September 2012. Retrieved 26 July 2013.
  7. ^ "Poringalkuthu HEP". 28 September 2013.