OLD VICTORIA DAM

In the meeting the analogous situation of the Old Victoria Dam of Australia was also pointed out. The old Victoria Dam was constructed in 1891 with lime concrete, around the same time when the Mullaperiyar dam was constructed. In 1966 there was considerable seepage in the dam as had been and is being noticed in the Mullaperiyar dam. Certain safety measures like construction of a reinforced concrete slab attached to the upstream water face and a gallery in between the dam and the slab were carried out.

In Mullaperiyar dam, certain other types of strengthening measures including a concrete backing on the downstream face were carried out. However, in 1988 it was observed by the concerned authorities that the strengthening measures carried out in Victoria dam have not worked and the dam did not satisfy the safety standards. The dam was subsequently decommissioned in April 1990.