Italian consultancy team inspects Chimmony dam

THRISSUR: A high-level delegation from Italy, accompanied by the officials of irrigation department, inspected the Chimmony dam here on Tuesday. The inspection followed the recent reports of leakage at the earth dam.
M K Krishnakumar, assistant executive engineer at the dam, said the team would be submitting a proposal to the government regarding a tomographic scanning, imaging in sections, of the dam.Dam Safety Commission members who inspected the dam earlier had recommended a tomographic study to plug the leaks.
"Representatives of Solgeo, an Italian consultancy firm, visited the dam this morning, along with the chief engineer and a professor from IIT-Madras, and conducted a preliminary investigation of the dam," Krishnakumar said.
"The dam is only 22 years old and there is no need for any panic."
The tomographic scan is also essential for the proposed World Bank-funded improvement project, which envisages safety measures, removal of silt and sand from the reservoir, mechanical and civil works and installation of various facilities at the dam.
On Tuesday, the water level of the reservoir is reported at 74.81m as against the capacity of 79.5m. Krishnakumar said the dam shutters would be opened when the level touches 76.7m.