Ponmudi Dam
{{Short description|Dam in Kerala, India}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2019}}
{{Use Indian English|date=August 2019}}
{{Infobox dam
| name = Ponmudi Dam
| image_caption = Ponmudi dam and reservoir
| dam_crosses = Panniyar river
| res_name = Ponmudi Reservoir
| dam_length = {{cvt|288.8|m}}
| opening = {{Start date and age|1963|p=y}}
| cost =
| res_capacity_total = {{cvt|51540000|m3}}
| res_catchment = {{cvt|221.75|km2}}
| plant_turbines = 2 x 16.2 MW (Francis-type)
| plant_capacity = 32.4
| plant_annual_gen = 158 MU
| coordinates = {{coord|9|57|37|N|77|03|24|E|type:landmark|display=inline,title}}
| location_map = India Kerala#India
| website = [https://dams.kseb.in Official website]
| status = O
| purpose = P
| country = India
| owner = Kerala State Electricity Board
| dam_height_foundation = {{cvt|57.60|m}}
| res_elevation = {{cvt|707.75|m}}
| res_max_depth = {{cvt|708.66|m}}
| spillway_type = Ogee type
| spillway_count = 3 nos, radial gates, each of size 10.97 x6.4 m
| plant_name = Panniar Power Station
| plant_operator = Kerala State Electricity Board
| plant_coordinates = {{coord|9|58|23|N|77|01|41|E|region:IN|display=inline}}
| plant_commission = {{Start date and age|1963|p=y}}
| spillway_capacity = 1416.3 m³/s
| res_capacity_active = {{cvt|47400000|m3}}
| dam_elevation_crest = {{cvt|701.35|m}}
| dam_type = G
}}
The Ponmudi Dam is a concrete gravity dam built across the Panniyar river which is a tributary of Periyar river at Konnathady panchayath of Konnathadi village in Idukki district of Kerala, India. The dam was constructed in 1963 as a part of a hydroelectric project. Construction was led by E.U.Philipose, Superintending Engineer, Kerala State Electricity Board. It has a length of {{Convert|288.80|m}}.{{Cite web|title=Ponmudi Dam – KSEB Limited Dam Safety Organisation|url=https://dams.kseb.in/?p=144|access-date=2021-08-04|language=en-US}} The hydropower component of the dam has an installed capacity of 30 MW with firm power of 17 MW, generating 158 GWh annually.{{Cite web|url=http://india-wris.nrsc.gov.in/wrpinfo/index.php?title=Ponmudi_(Eb)_D03300|title=Ponmudi (Eb) D03300|publisher=Government of India}} Taluks through which the river flow are Udumbanchola, Devikulam, Kothamangalam, Muvattupuzha, Kunnathunadu, Aluva, Kodungalloor and Paravur.
Location
The dam, located near Munnar on the Panniar river in the Periyar river valley in Kerala, is part of the basin of the West flowing rivers of the Tadri to Kanyakumari. The nearest city is Udumbanchola.{{Cite web|url=http://idukki.nic.in/geography.htm|title= Geography|publisher=National Information Centre}} Mattupetty to Ponmudi dam is a distance of {{Convert|39|km}}.{{Cite web|url=http://www.distancemonk.com/mattupetty-to-ponmudi-dam/a2408d80a32677b7/|title=Mattupetty to Ponmudi Dam|publisher=Distancemonk.com}}
Features
The Ponmudi dam is a masonry gravity dam of {{Convert|59|m}} height with a total length of {{Convert|294|m}}. At the Full Reservoir Level, the gross storage capacity of the reservoir is {{Convert|51540000|m3}} and live storage is {{Convert|47400000|m3}}. The dam has a total volumetric content of {{Convert|181000|m3}}. The dam is located in Seismic Zone-III. The reservoir water spread area or submergence area is {{Convert|2.79|m2}}. The spillway is designed for a design discharge of {{Convert|1416.03|m3}} per second. The flood discharge is routed through a spillway which is fitted with three radial gates, each {{Convert|10.9728|x|6.4008|m}}.{{Cite web|url=http://www.keralapwd.gov.in/getPage.php?page=maps&pageId=248|title=Identifiers for Hydro: Panniyar Hydroelectric Power Plant India|publisher=Government of Kerala|access-date=24 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101201055331/http://www.keralapwd.gov.in/getPage.php?page=maps&pageId=248|archive-date=1 December 2010|url-status=dead}}{{Cite web|url=http://shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in/bitstream/10603/6250/4/04_chapter%201.pdf|title=Table 1.1 Important Reservoirs on the Periyar and Chakkodi River basins|publisher= Shodhganga INFLIBNET Centre}} The stored water is diverted through a tunnel of {{Convert|3066|m}} for power generation creating a head of {{Convert|220|m}}.{{cite book|author1=Kerala (India)|author2=A. Sreedhara Menon|title=Kerala District Gazetteers: Quilon|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=88G1AAAAIAAJ|year=1975|page=181|publisher=Superintendent of Government Presses}}
Hydro power development
The water stored in the reservoir is utilized for power generation by diverting the flows through a {{Convert|3066|m|adj=on}} tunnel{{cite book|title=Irrigation & Power: The Journal of the Central Board of Irrigation & Power|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_eM3AQAAIAAJ|year=1962|publisher=The Board}} followed by two lines of penstock pipes each with a diameter of {{Convert|1.7| m}} and a length of {{Convert|762|m}}. The two penstock pipe lines are designed to carry a discharge of {{Convert|17.88|m3}} per second. The power station located at Panniyar is provided with installation of 30 MW comprising two units, each of 15 MW capacity Francis turbines. The firm power generation is 17 MW and the annual power generated is 158 GWh. The first unit was commissioned on 29 December 1963 and the second unit on 26 January 1964. The units were renovated in 2001 and 2003.{{Cite web|url=http://india-wris.nrsc.gov.in/wrpinfo/index.php?title=Panniyar_Power_House_PH01241|title=Panniyar Power House PH01241|publisher=Government of India}}
Major disaster
In a major disaster at the project site, which occurred 17 September 2007, one of the penstock valves burst causing the death of 7 people, destroying 15 houses, and damaging {{Convert|150|acre}} of crops. The reason attributed to the pipe burst is the loosening of the flange bolt connection. The damaged valve was rectified in July 2009.{{cite web|url=http://napm-india.org/sites/default/files/Death%20by%20Dams.pdf|title=Major Accidents In India Due To Negligence In Dam Safety / 1979 – 2014|publisher=NAPM – National Alliance of People's Movements|access-date=24 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150524180239/http://napm-india.org/sites/default/files/Death%20by%20Dams.pdf|archive-date=24 May 2015|url-status=dead}}{{Cite news|url=http://www.rediff.com/news/2007/sep/18pipe.htm|title=Idukki dam pipe burst: Toll rises to 4|date=18 September 2007 |work=Rediff.com}}
References
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External links
{{commons category}}
{{Tourism in Kerala}}
{{Dams in Kerala}}
Category:Dams in Idukki district
Category:Dams completed in 1963