The Malampuzha Dam, a lifeline for agriculture and drinking water in Palakkad since 1955, faces mounting pressure as water demands increase. Originally built to irrigate 21,165 hectares of farmland, the dam’s canals—serving 17,200 hectares via the left bank and 3,965 hectares through the right bank—have become even more crucial as local irrigation ponds vanish. The Bharathapuzha river also supports 1,200 hectares under the Cheramangalam project, further highlighting the dam’s significance.
Despite a decrease in cultivated land over the years, the dam’s water demand remains steady, even as its storage capacity diminishes. A 2019 Kerala Engineering Research Institute study revealed that silt accumulation reduced the dam’s capacity by 40 million cubic meters, leaving it with an effective storage of 223.6 million cubic meters. Allocations include 180 million cubic meters for irrigation during the second crop season and 40 million cubic meters for drinking water. However, recurring summer water shortages often require alternate sources like Aliyar via Chittoorpuzha.
Daily, 76 million liters of water support Palakkad Municipality and neighboring panchayats, while a 2015 government order earmarked an additional 10 million liters per day for industrial projects under KINFRA, though this allocation remains unused. The dam’s shrinking capacity and increasing demand emphasize the need for sustainable strategies to equitably distribute water across agriculture, drinking, and industrial sectors, ensuring long-term resource stability.
