Nearly half of the storage capacity of the Malankara dam in Idukki, part of the Muvattupuzha Valley Irrigation Project (MVIP), is filled with silt, severely reducing its volume. The full reservoir level of the dam is 42 m.

According to officials, a 2021 study conducted by the Kerala Engineering Research Institute (KERI) found that silt occupied 48.95% of the reservoir’s total storage capacity. Due to this reduced capacity, MVIP officials are facing a serious crisis in managing water storage and preventing flooding in the Thodupuzha and Muvattupuzha rivers.

“The Malankara dam primarily stores tailrace water released from the Moolamattom powerhouse after electricity generation at the Idukki reservoir. With the Malankara shutters wide open, this water flows directly downstream into the Thodupuzha river and then to the Muvattupuzha river,” said an MVIP official.

Power generation

“The tailrace water and two other streams constitute the

“In the recent floods,

The official further noted that, based on the KERI study, a decision was made to desilt the Malankara dam. “As per the project plan, silt will be cleared to a depth along an eight-kilometre stretch upstream from the dam to the Kanjar bridge. The project is expected to be completed within three years, and the contracting company will pay for the sand extracted from the reservoir,” the official said.

Clearing the silt will restore the reservoir to a safe storage capacity level.

To manage crisis

“Presently, five

According to the officials, the Malankara dam functions as a diversion dam, and its inflow depends primarily on the KSEB’s power generation at the Moolamattom powerhouse. Consequently, the dam does not operate under a strict rule curve.

Published - August 04, 2026 08:14 pm IST