Idukki

Periyar River

Idukki, also spelled Idikki, town, southeastern Kerala state, southwestern India. It lies about 80 miles (130 km) southeast of Kochi (Cochin) and 79 miles (127 km) northeast of Kottayam.

Idukki is known for its large hydroelectric project. The Idukki arch dam, 554 feet (169 metres) high, on the Periyar River, was completed in 1974. It connects two huge rocks—Kurathi, 3,035 feet (925 metres) high, and Kuravan, 2,753 feet (839 metres) high. Together with the Cheruthoni dam (1976), on the Cheruthoni River, and the Kulamavu dam (1977), on the Muvattu Puzha River, the Idukki dam forms a large reservoir. The dam is used primarily for flood control and to generate hydroelectric power.

Short, swift-flowing streams cross the region surrounding the town of Idukki. Agriculture is the basis of the area’s economy; crops include rice, cassava, pulse (legumes), sugarcane, ginger, oilseeds, millet, coconut, pepper, betel nuts, cardamom, and tea. Industries consist of processing cashew nuts, coffee, and tea; cigarette making; paper milling; and sawmilling. Pop. (2001) 13,320; (2011) 21,724.