Heavy inflows into the Tungabhadra Dam led authorities to open 21 crest gates on Sunday evening, releasing 62,444 cusecs downstream. The inflows stood at 92,000 cusecs on Saturday and 72,490 cusecs on Sunday.
According to Superintendent Engineer Narayana Naik, this marks an unprecedented situation, as last year’s inflow was just 25,556 cusecs and the 10-year average is 18,485 cusecs. Each of the 21 crest gates was opened to a height of 2.5 feet.
On expert committee advice, the dam’s storage is being capped at 78 tmc-ft, despite a full capacity of 105 tmc-ft, due to the deteriorating condition of the 75-year-old crest gates. Authorities are maintaining discharge accordingly.
The downstream surge submerged several heritage locations in Hampi. The over 500-year-old Saint Purandaradasa Mantapa near Chakratheertha was fully submerged. Water reached the Lord Sriram temple, cutting off access. The historic Lord Hanuman temple, first consecrated by Vijayanagar Rajguru Saint Vyasaraja Swami, also lost access.
Priest Dhananja Achar reported reaching the temple via the hill’s rear route to continue daily rituals. Despite the flood situation, tourist and devotee footfall has increased in Hampi and nearby sites along the Tungabhadra. Authorities have issued warnings to residents along the river from Hampi to Mantralayam, cautioning about possible evacuation. Meanwhile, the Raghavendra Swamy Brindavan in Bichali, on the Karnataka–Andhra Pradesh border, was close to submerging before floodwaters began to recede.