Idukki dam: All five shutters opened for first time in 40 years; key features

Idukki Dam: All you want to know

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In the wake of heavy rainfall in the catchment area of Idukki Dam, all five shutters of the Cheruthony dam were opened for the first time in 40 years to release more water in the backdrop of heavy rains and rising water level in the reservoir. Scroll down to check other key features of the dam.

​Height

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At 167.68 metres, Idukki is one of the highest arch dams in Asia and third tallest.

It is one of the three dams that are part of the Idukki reservoir. The others are Cheruthoni and Kulamavu.

​Built

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It is built on the Periyar River, in the ravine between the Kuravan and Kurathi Hills in Kerala.

​Capacity

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The Idukki has a capacity of 2,403 feet.

​Power generation

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The Idukki arch dam has no shutters. The Kulamavu dam has penstock pipes that carry water to an underground power station at Moolamattam 43 km away.

The water from the reservoir is used to run six generators with a total installed capacity of 780 MW.

​Area

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Together, the three dams have created an artificial lake that is 60 km² in area.

Commissioned

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Commissioned in 1976 by the then prime minister Indira Gandhi, Idukki was built with Canadian help.

It was constructed and is owned by the Kerala State Electricity Board.