On the outskirts of Kottayam lies a hill station of rocky terrains sought after for its pristine nature. On one side of the main rock are extremely tall and steep rocks and on the other is a valley of fearful depth. Bordering this crude landscape like a silver lace is the Meenachil River. During the months of December/January the landscape comes alive in a riot of colours with orchids and wild flowers.
Vazhikadavu Weir is a diversion dam of concrete gravity type constructed across Meenachil River at Teekoy Village in Kottayam District in Kerala, India. The Vazhikkadavu weir is constructed as an augmentation scheme to Idukki HEP. The dam has a height of 10.20 metres (33.5 ft) from the deepest foundation and a length of 58 metres (190 ft).
Narakakkanam, Azhutha, Vazhikkadavu, Vadakkepuzha and Kuttiar diversion schemes were later added to augment the Idukki reservoir. The Vazhikadavu diversion scheme envisages diversion of the water from 6 km2 catchment of Vazhikkadavu Ar ( tributory of Meenachil Ar.) to Idukki reservoir by constructing an unlined tunnel of 2,579.25 metres (8,462.1 ft) and a weir which is 58 m long for regulation and additional power generation of 18.2 Million units at Idukki Power station. The weir site and tunnel inlet are located in Meenachil taluk
of Kottayam District and tunnel exit site is located in Peermade taluk of Idukki district. The diversion weir site is near Vagamon – 2 km from Vagamon town on Vagomon Erattupetta road.The construction started in 1989 but was completed in 2002.
Getting there
Nearest railway station: Chengannur Railway station is about 16 km
Nearest airport: Cochin International Airport, about 137 km
