Tungabhadra Dam gate washed away, parts of Andhra, Karnataka on alert

A gate at the Tungabhadra dam in southern India's Karnataka was washed away on Saturday (August 10) reportedly after a chain link was snapped. A flood alert has been sounded downstream in the state's Koppal district. To decrease the pressure on the dam, all gates except five were immediately opened. The water level must be under control to allow authorities to prepare for repair work on Gate No. 19.

According to sources in the water resources department cited by the Press Trust of India, the water level in the reservoir must be reduced from its current 105 TMC to between 65 and 55 TMC to facilitate the necessary repairs.

The incident has also led to a heightened state of alert in the neighbouring Andhra Pradesh state.

Residents along the banks of the Krishna River have been advised to remain vigilant and avoid crossing canals and streams due to potential flooding risks.

Currently, the dam is discharging 89,000 cusecs of water, according to reports.

Koppal district in-charge Minister Shivaraj Tangadagi called for the urgency of emptying the dam. He said: "We may have to release at least 60 to 65 TMC of water. The problem can be resolved only after 20 feet of water is released."

While there is no immediate threat of flooding, authorities have cautioned the public to stay away from the Tungabhadra River due to the heavy discharge from the dam.

Leader of the Opposition, R Ashoka, said that such a situation would not have arisen if the state's Congress government had held regular meetings of the dam’s technical committee and ensured it was in fit shape.

"Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, who is also water resources minister, is busy working as an agent of the (Congress) high command rather than managing his department… There were ample opportunities for the government to repair the dam which was empty during drought last year. But where was the time for the DyCM to repair it as he was always busy seeking his turn to be CM?," the BJP leader said.

(With inputs from agencies)