Idukki

Periyar RiverDam on the Periyar River, Idukki, Keralam, India.

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

Map of South Asia highlighting the location of Idukki in southern India. The map shows India and its neighboring countries, with Idukki marked by a dot in the southwestern part of the country. A small inset globe in the upper right indicates the region's position within Asia.
Idukki, India

Idukki is known for its large hydroelectric project. The Idukki arch dam, 554 feet (169 meters) high, on the Periyar River, was completed in 1974. It connects two huge rocks—Kurathi, 3,035 feet (925 meters) high, and Kuravan, 2,753 feet (839 meters) 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.

The Editors of Encyclopaedia BritannicaThis article was most recently revised and updated by Andrew Pereira.
Citation Information
Article Title: Idukki
Website Name: Encyclopaedia Britannica
Publisher: Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc.
Date Published: 31 August 2026
Access Date: November 14, 2026