Koppala: Over 1 lakh cusecs of water gushes out from Tungabhadra Dam due to crest gate failure

Team Udayavani, Aug 11, 2024, 11:15 AM IST

Koppala: In a concerning development, more than 1 lakh cusecs of water have been released into the riverbed from the Tungabhadra Dam following the failure of the 19th crest gate chain. This sudden release of water has caused significant anxiety among farmers residing in the downstream areas of the river.

Immediately after the gate chain broke, officials from the dam’s irrigation department, the district police, and other key authorities, including Koppala District In-charge Minister Shivaraj Tangadagi and MLA Raghavendra Hitnal, assessed the situation on-site throughout the night. The forceful flow of water from the dam has heightened fears among the local population.

Public Access to Dam Restricted

In light of the gate chain failure, officials from the Tungabhadra Irrigation Department, along with the district police, have restricted public access to the dam.

Expert Team Visit Expected at Dam Site

Authorities have already reached out to irrigation experts from various parts of the country, including Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Mumbai, for guidance and have requested them to visit the dam site. Additionally, District In-charge Minister Shivaraj Tangadagi has held discussions with state water resources department officials. A special team of experts is expected to arrive at the dam site soon.

Meanwhile, various officials from the irrigation and police departments have established a temporary camp at the base of the dam to manage the situation.