Hosapete (Karnataka): In a shocking development, one of the crest gates of the Tungabhadra Dam, Karnataka’s largest reservoir, was washed away at around 1 a.m. on Sunday, causing a massive outflow of water. The damaged gate, identified as gate no. 19, led to a surge of 36,000 cusecs of water, prompting authorities to call an emergency meeting to manage the escalating situation.
This unprecedented incident marks the first time in the dam’s history that such a catastrophic failure has occurred. Residents living downstream have been alerted to the potential dangers.
According to the Tungabhadra Dam authorities, the inflow into the reservoir has been increasing steadily over the past week. The mounting pressure eventually caused the chain link of crest gate no. 19 to snap, leading to the gate’s collapse and subsequent water release. The remaining 18 crest gates are discharging an additional 40,000 cusecs, bringing the total water outflow from the reservoir to over 1 lakh cusecs. Authorities are considering further increasing the discharge rate to reduce pressure on the compromised crest gate area.
The Tungabhadra Dam, located in Munirabad, Koppal district, was constructed in 1953 and serves the water and irrigation needs of three states. With a holding capacity of 105.788 TMC, the dam plays a crucial role in the region’s water management. Authorities are particularly concerned about a potential flood situation in Kampli town, where water levels are rising. However, halting the outflow from the remaining 31 crest gates is not an option, as it could cause floods in the dam’s catchment area.
A team of expert engineers from Andhra Pradesh is en route to Hosapete to join the emergency discussions. Authorities have also decided to release water into the left and right bank canals, a measure that wasn’t taken during the last outflow from the crest gates.
Hosapete MLA H R Gaviyappa visited the site and reassured the public, stating, “We have informed the government about the situation and urge people not to panic. Our officials are already working to manage the crisis.”
Senior administration officials from Koppal and Vijayanagara districts have arrived at the site and are deliberating on the next steps. Experts have recommended maintaining the discharge to protect the remaining crest gates from further damage.
Vijayanagara District Collector M S Divakar emphasized that engineers are exploring all possible measures to control the outflow and mitigate the risks. He also urged the public to avoid the dam outflow region and the riverbanks for safety reasons.
