Thrissur: A tomography scan to strengthen the 18-year-old Chimmony dam is being undertaken by an Italian company, Solgeo. The scan, which will continue for a few weeks, is being done following leakage in the dam’s main shutters.
A high-level team comprising technical experts from Solgeo, a professor in IIT Madras and senior Irrigation Department officials had examined the dam and the leakage just beneath the main shutter.
The geophysicists from Italy, who are conducting the scanning at a cost of Rs 45 lakh, had earlier conducted a similar test on the Thungabhadra dam in Karnataka. Based on the data, the authorities will decide whether the dam should be included in the dam rehabilitation improvement project (DRIP) funded by the World Bank.
According to Surendrababu, assistant executive engineer, Irrigation Department, the data will allow the staff here hands-on access that will help them and their consultants analyse the situation and plug the leaks.
The project involves civil and mechanical works, strengthening safety measures, installing metrological equipment, grouting and removing sand and silt from the reservoir, besides strengthening the other facilities for overseeing the dam safety. Although the capacity of the earthen dam is 79.5 metres, storage had been restricted to 76.4 metres for the past few years.
