Kollam: The check dam across Pallikkalar river at Thodiyoor here has proved to be a curse for the paddy farmers at Pavumba and Thazhava as well as the residents in the adjacent low-lying areas.
The unscientific construction of the check dam hinders the flow of water, which has not yet been rectified even after several protests. The fields and roads often get inundated as the channel through the check dam is insufficient to carry the gush during the rain.
The check dam was constructed for Aryanpadam lift irrigation project at Thodiyoor in 2014.
It has a total length of 30 metres and has three openings with a width of 3.5 metres, which is insufficient to carry the outflow of water.
The farmers of Churuli padasekhara samiti had earlier protested alleging the construction of check dam was unscientific. Several paddy fields, including Churuli, Kuttathukuzhi, Manappalli, and Perakka vayal, were inundated even during light rain after the construction of the check dam.
An expert team had pointed out the flaws with the check dam that caused flooding in Pavumba area.
The removal of the sedimentation of rocks and sand under Thodiyoor Kochupalam bridge has been insufficient to rectify the situation.
The Pallikkal river originates from Kodumon in Pathanamthitta and ends at Kannetti lake at Karunagappally spanning over 42 km.
