Ranni: The Maniyar dam, the main reservoir of the Pampa irrigation project, has suffered damage in the August deluge, raising concern as to whether it can survive the upcoming north-east monsoon season.
Any serious damage to the dam would be a major risk for areas on the banks of Kakkattar from Maniyar to Poovathummood. On Pampa's shores, Poovathummood to Chengannur will also be in peril.
The dam, on Kakkattar, had overflown on August 15 and four shutters were lowered to reduce the water level. However, the number two shutter on the right shore could not be opened as water was gushing over it. The bottom part of the shutter got damaged in the flood. The concrete has come off. A similar damage can be seen also on the bottom of the first shutter on the right shore. It could be destroyed entirely in case of a fresh gush of water.
The dam is still full and water is being released by raising all four shutters.
Maniyar dam stores water left over and released after power generation at Sabarigiri and Kakkat as well as at the private mini hydro-electric projects Karikayam and Allunkal.
The masonry gravity reservoir has a storage capacity of 31.5 metres, and its catchment area is spread over two kilometres. Electricity is generated here since 1995.
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