IRRIGATION

Unlike other Districts in Tamil Nadu State, Kanyakumari is receiving a fairly good rainfall from both South-West and North-East monsoons.  The period of South West Monsoon is from June to September.  While that of North-East Monsoon is from October to December.

RIVERS: Rivers provide the important source of Irrigation in Kanyakumari District. There are 5 of them, as shown below. Follow this link to view the Irrigation Map of Kanyakumari District .                                                              

DAMS: There are 6 Dams constructed in these rivers. 

CHANNELS: There are 6 Channels in the District.

The major river in the district is Thambaraparani locally known as Kuzhithuraiar.  This river has got two major distributaries namely Kodayar and Paralayar.  There are many distributaries for Kodayar river  of which Chittar I and Chittar II and major ones.  The origin of Tambaraparani River is Western Ghats and the river confluences with Arabian sea near Thengapattanam, at a distance of about 56 Km. west of Cape Commorin, the southern most tip  of India.

Valliar, another small river and its tributary Thoovalar, originate from Velimalai Hills, collect the drainage from P.P. Channel and its branches, ayacuts and confluence with Arabian sea near Manavalakurichi.

Pazhayar another small river starts at Shorlacode, a place about 18 Km north west of Nagercoil.  This is mainly a drainage river mostly collecting the drainages  of Thovalai, Ananthanar and N.P. Channels 

PECHIPARAI DAM  

The European Engineer Mr. Minchin constructed Pechiparai Dam during the period 1897-1906.  This   was built across Kodayar River about a mile below the confluence of the tributaries Kallar,  Sittar and Kuttiyar at Pechiparai a place 11 Km.  North of Kulasekaram and is 45 K.M. from Nagercoil.  The cost of original construction was Rs. 26.1 Lakhs.

The Dam is a straight gravity type masonry dam  of 425.5 M. long and 120.70 M. high above the deepest foundation.  There is not inspection gallery.

PERUNCHANI DAM

This dam was built during the period 1948 – 1953 by the erstwhile T.C. State.  This was built across River Paralayar at Perunchani, a place about 10 K.M. East of Kulasekaram and about 42 K.M. North-West of Nagercoil.  It is across a picturesque valley between 2 hillocks forming an ideal site.

The dam is straight gravity masonry dam of 373.10 M long consisting of 275.28 M of bulk head section.  A drainage gallery of 1.52 ´ 2.29 M.  has been provided in the middle river section for a length of  45.70 M which serves a longitudinal inspection chamber as well as out-let for the seepages from the foundation. 

CHITTAR DAM-I

The Chittar Dam I is constructed across River Chittar I which has its source in the mountains in Klamala Reserve  Forest, near Ettukani and  Vandiplavukani at an elevation  of over 2000 Ft.  above M.S.L. and is it about 2.00 Km  up-stream of the confluence of the River with Kodayar. 

CHITTAR DAM-II  

It is constructed across River Chittar II which has its source in Klamala Reserve Forest at an elevation of about 2300 Ft. above M.S.L. and is at about 2.00 Km. up stream on the southern and eastern slopes of Kurinchimalai and after running for 10.00 Km.  merge at Sivalogam estate to form Chittar II and then flows for 4.8 Km and joins with Kodayar. 

NEYYAR DAM

Neyyar Dam situated in Kerala State is the source of supply for Kanyakuamari Branch Channel.  It takes off from the left Bank Channel of Neyyar at Km 38.616.  Normally 152 c/s to be available at Kollengodu head works for the ayacut in Tamil Nadu.

DESCRIPTION OF KODAYAR SYSTEM

The water of the Pechiparai is taken along the left bank canal to Puthen dam across the Paraliyar.  Puthen dam is the main head works of the entire system when water of the Pechiparai and Perunchani meet.  At the head works, these waters are flown into Pandiankal and Padmanabhapuram Puthanar.  The Pandiyankal after running for about 2.5 Km.  forks into two at Chellanthurithy.  One of the left side called the Thovalai Channel and the other on the right side called the Regulator kal.  The Padmanabhapuram Puthanar irrigates vast tracks land in Kalkulam Taluk.  Thovalai channel extends upto Tirunelveli District by the name of Radhapuram channel.  The  Regulator Kal after running for about 1.6 Km bifurcate into two at Surulacode, one on the right called  the Anandanar Channel and other on the left Pazhayar.  The pazhayar carries the entire drainage of the Valley.  The main irrigation channel under Pazhayar is the Nanjil Nadu Puthanar taking off at the Chattuputhoor Anicut.  Besides then there are 10 other anicuts across thee course of the Pazhayar before it drains into the sea.

The water  of Chittar I and II are flown into the left bank canal of the Kodayar at the 5^th Km and draw off at the 10.15 Km by the Pattanamkal channel. This channel irrigates vast areas lying between Tambraparni and Padmanabhapuram Channel in Kalkulam.  Besides there is an anicut across the Paraliyar called Aruvikarai anicut irrigating about 266 Ha. of  paddy land.  There is a similar anicuts across Kodayar at Thirparappu irrigating about 258 Ha.

The left bank canal of the Neyyar dam which is situated in Kerala State, irrigates part of the lands in Vilavancode Taluks.  The left bank construction work commenced during the year 1959and completed in 1963.  An amount if 90.03 lakhs was sanctioned for the execution of this work; An area of 1536 Ha is benefited by the implementation of Neyyar Irrigation project. Kindly follow this link to view the Flow Diagram of Kodaiyar Irrigation System