Hampi witnessed significant flooding on Thursday evening due to increased water discharge from the Tungabhadra Reservoir. The discharge rate was escalated to nearly 1.80 lakh cusecs, leading to the inundation of several historic monuments and sites.
Impact on Hampi’s Historic Monuments
The flooding has affected numerous monuments at Hampi, a site renowned for its historical and architectural significance. Some of the prominent monuments that were submerged include:
- Purandara Mantapa: Known for its religious significance and architectural beauty, this structure faced severe flooding.
- Chakrateertha: A popular bathing spot along the Tungabhadra River, also inundated by the rising water levels.
- Vijayanagara Empire Canal: An ancient irrigation canal that once served the empire, now underwater.
- Sugriva’s Cave and Sita Seragu: Mythologically significant sites linked to the Ramayana were also flooded.
- Sculptures of Vishnu’s Incarnations and Koti Linga: These revered sculptures depicting the ten incarnations of Vishnu were submerged.
- Rama Lakshmana Temple and Chandramouleshwar Temple: Important religious sites that faced the brunt of the floodwaters.
- 64-Pillar Mantapa: The burial site of the Vijayanagara emperor Krishnadevaraya was heavily affected.
- Nava Brindavan: The burial site of Madhwa saints experienced substantial flooding.
Monitoring by Archaeological Survey of India (ASI)
Despite the flooding, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has assured that there is currently no negative impact on the structural integrity of the temples and monuments in Hampi. “As of now, there is no negative impact of floods on any temples or monuments in Hampi. Our team is on the ground closely monitoring the situation,” stated Nikhil Das, Superintending Archaeologist of the Hampi Circle at ASI.
Causes of Flooding
The flooding was primarily caused by heavy rainfall in the Tungabhadra river’s catchment area, particularly in the Sahyadri range. Upstream dams, including the Tunga and Bhadra in the Shivamogga district, have reached full capacity, necessitating the discharge of excess water into the Tungabhadra River. Consequently, the Tungabhadra Reservoir in Hosapete received a substantial inflow of water.
Reservoir Statistics
- Inflow: The inflow into the reservoir surged from 52,414 cusecs at 7 a.m. on Wednesday to 1,98,430 cusecs by 7 p.m. on Thursday.
- Water Level: The water level in the reservoir is currently at 1,631.02 feet, with a storage capacity of 97.945 tmcft. The full reservoir level is 1,633 feet, with a total storage capacity of 105.788 tmcft.
- Discharge: The release of excess water increased from 63,419 cusecs on Wednesday morning to 1,79,936 cusecs by Thursday evening.
Effects on Agriculture and Surrounding Areas
The excessive discharge has not only affected historical sites but also led to flooding in the agricultural fields along the riverbanks downstream. Vast areas of farmland, including those with standing crops such as paddy, sugarcane, jowar, and maize in villages like Hirebannimatti, Makarabbi, Byala Hunsi, Navali, and Kombali, have been submerged.
Flooding in Ballari District
The Kampli Fort in Ballari district was also flooded by the Tungabhadra waters on Thursday evening. Other inundated monuments include:
- Hole Anjaneya Temple
- Mahakali Temple
- Venkataramana Temple
In Kuruvatti village in Ballari district, four families were evacuated to safety after their homes were flooded.
Ongoing Efforts and Precautions
Local authorities, along with the ASI, are continuously monitoring the situation to ensure the safety of the monuments and residents. Efforts are being made to manage the water discharge effectively to minimize damage to both heritage sites and agricultural lands.
As the region faces the challenges posed by the monsoon season, the focus remains on preserving the rich cultural heritage of Hampi while safeguarding the livelihoods of those affected by the floods.