Peechi Dam

Peechi Dam
Shutters of Peechi Dam
Location of Peechi Dam in India Peechi Dam (Kerala) Peechi Dam (Tamil Nadu)
Official name	Peechi Dam
Location	Peechi, Thrissur, Kerala, India
Coordinates	10.530°N 76.370°E / 10.530; 76.370
Construction began	1947
Opening date	1957
Operator(s)	Irrigation Department, Kerala
Dam and spillways
Height	49.8 metre
Length	213 metre
Width (base)	4.27 metre
Reservoir
Creates	Manali River
Capacity: tmc ft.

Peechi Dam is situated 22 km (14 mi) outside Thrissur city in Kerala, India. The dam was started as an irrigation project for the surrounding villages in Thrissur. At the same time, it catered the drinking water needs of the population of Thrissur City. It serves as an irrigation dam, reaching out to the paddy fields in and around Thrissur city. Built across the Manali River, the dam has a catchment area of nearly 3,200 acres (1,300 ha). Elephants may be seen on the bank of Peechi-Vazhani Wildlife Sanctuary, established in 1958 covering 125 square kilometres (48 sq mi).

History

Entrance of Peechi Dam

E. Ikkanda Warrier (1890–1977), the first Prime Minister of the then independent state of Kochi, India, was the architect of Peechi Dam. Majority of the Thrissukkar opposed the dam cutting across the partyline. He brought a retired Chief Engineer from Andhra Pradesh to build the dam as engineers from Kerala opposed the project. The dam was completed in 1959. Burgula Ramakrishna Rao, first Kerala Governor on October 4, 1957 inaugurated the dam.

A view of Peechi-Vazhani Wildlife Sanctuary from Peechi Dam

Statistics

• One of the oldest dams in Kerala
• Type of Dam: Concrete Straight Gravity

Education

• Mercy Convent LP School, Peechi
• Govt. LP School, Peechi
• Government Higher Secondary School, Peechi

See also

• List of dams and reservoirs in India

Contractor: Mr N O Inasu, Nadakkavukaran .