Kovilthottam Lighthouse

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Kovilthottam lighthouse
The lighthouse in 2016
Map
LocationKovilthottam, Kollam, India
Coordinates8°59′05″N 76°31′28″E / 8.984715°N 76.524523°E / 8.984715; 76.524523
Tower
Constructed1953 (first)
Foundationreinforced concrete
Constructionmasonry tower
Height18 metres (59 ft)
Shapesquare tower with balcony and lantern
Markingsblack tower with a horizontal white band, black lantern
Light
First lit1962
Focal height20 metres (66 ft) above MSL
Lens250 mm 4th order cut & polished drum optic inside 1.8 m diameter Lantern House (BBT)
Intensity500W halogen lamp (220/250 volt) AC
Range15 nautical miles (28 km; 17 mi)
CharacteristicFl W 5s.

Kovilthottam Lighthouse is situated at Kovilthottam in Kollam district of Kerala. The 18-meter tall lighthouse tower is painted with black and white alternating bands.[1] The lighthouse has been provided to serve the Port of Neendakara situated at the entrance to Ashtamudi Backwaters. It was initially established with a flag mast and later a wooden tower, it evolved into a masonry lighthouse completed in 1961. Operated by the Directorate General of Lighthouses and Lightships, the lighthouse features a 70 W LED light with a range of 15 nautical miles and the characteristic Fl (3) W 15s.

History

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Before the construction of Kovilthottam, there was a flag mast at this location. Later, a wooden tower was constructed here. A blinking DA gas light was installed on 14 February 1953. This temporary arrangement was replaced later in 1960–1961 after the completion of the masonry tower. The emergency source was replaced by 12V 100W Halogen lamp in a 200 mm optic outside the lantern on 14 February 1999.[2]

Structure & Technical Specifications

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The Kovilthottam Lighthouse stands on the Arabian Sea coast near the mouth of the Ashtamudi Lake. The lighthouse was constructed to aid navigation for vessels entering the Neendakara and Chavara backwaters, which are vital for the local fishing and cashew industries. The tower is a cylindrical concrete structure with a height of 18 meters (59 ft), painted with black and white horizontal bands, and topped by a red lantern. The focal plane of the light is situated 17 meters above mean sea level. The lighthouse originally used an oil-based light source, later replaced by an electronic flasher powered by solar energy. The current light characteristic is Fl (3) W 15s, meaning three white flashes every 15 seconds, with a range of 15 nautical miles. The light source is a 70 W LED, and the lantern uses a 6-panel optic manufactured by M/s J. Stone & Co. Ltd., UK.[3] The structure includes a service room and gallery, and is operated and maintained by the Directorate General of Lighthouses and Lightships (DGLL) under Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways.[4]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Lighthouses in Kerala". Archived from the original on 19 March 2015. Retrieved 19 September 2014.
  2. ^ "Indian Lighthouses – An overview" (PDF). DGLL India. Archived (PDF) from the original on 18 December 2014. Retrieved 2 April 2015.
  3. ^ "Kovilthottam Light house DGLL" (PDF). dgll.nic.in. Retrieved 11 July 2025.
  4. ^ Indian Journal of Radio & Space Physics. Council of Scientific & Industrial Research. 1994. p. 257.
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