Following the collapse of the 19th crest gate of the Tungabhadra Dam in Hospet on August 10, the Tungabhadra Board has established an expert committee to determine the cause of the incident. The gate fell after its link broke and was swept away by the impounded water.
The panel, chaired by A.K. Bajaj, former Chairman of the Central Water Commission, includes dam specialists Harkesh Kumar and Tarapuram Sudhakar, along with representatives from the technical advisory committees of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana. According to O.R.K. Reddy, Secretary of the Tungabhadra Board, the committee will investigate whether regular inspections were conducted on the gate and chain links and will assess the safety of the remaining crest gates.
Investigation Team Appointed to Examine Tungabhadra Dam Gate Collapse
In response to the August 10 collapse of the 19th crest gate at the Tungabhadra Dam, an investigation team has been assembled. Led by former Central Water Commission (CWC) Chairman A.K. Bajaj, the team is tasked with identifying the cause of the collapse and recommending measures to prevent future incidents.
The team comprises dam gate experts Harkesh Kumar and Tarapuram Sudhakar, and includes representatives from Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana’s Technical Advisory Committees. Their investigation will focus on several key aspects:
- Inspection Frequency: Reviewing how often the gates and chain links were inspected before and after the rainy season.
- Gate History: Evaluating the age and maintenance history of the crest gates to determine if age or repairs contributed to the collapse.
- Remaining Gates: Inspecting the other 32 crest gates for integrity and functionality.
- Water Storage Levels: Recommending safe water storage levels to avoid excessive pressure on the gates.
- Absence of Stoplog Gate: Addressing the lack of a stoplog gate at the dam and proposing solutions to improve safety.
The team is expected to deliver a comprehensive report within 15 days, outlining the causes of the collapse and offering recommendations to prevent similar incidents. This investigation is crucial, as it marks the first gate collapse in the 70-year history of the Tungabhadra Dam, underscoring the need for detailed analysis and preventive action to ensure the dam’s ongoing safety.
