In a concerning late-night incident on Saturday, August 10, 2024, the chain link of Crest Gate No. 19 at the Tungabhadra Reservoir near Hosapete in Vijayanagara district broke, leading to the gate being washed away under the intense pressure of floodwaters. The accident, which occurred around 10:50 PM, has triggered a flood threat downstream, with approximately 35,000 cusecs of water gushing uncontrollably through the damaged gate.
Hourly Updates
2:00 PM – 11 April 2024
Video showing the cut chains at Gate No. 19 of Tungabhadra Dam
A temporary gate is currently under construction.
2:00 PM – 11 April 2024
Kampli Bridge is blocked. Authorities have asked everyone not to go near the Tungabhadra River.
2:30 PM – 11 April 2024
New gates being constructed at Hosahalli after Tungabhadra Dam Incident
In response to the recent crisis at the Tungabhadra Dam, authorities have initiated the construction of a temporary gate.
In light of the situation, a temporary gate is being constructed in Hosahalli by Hindustan Engineering Works in collaboration with the Hameed Group. The construction, which started recently, is expected to take about 3 days to complete. Once installed, this temporary gate will serve as a provisional measure to maintain security and manage access to the area. However, it is important to note that the temporary gate will be fixed in place and will not be operational for opening or closing.
3:00 PM – 11 April 2024
D. K. Shivakumar has visited the Tungabhadra Dam to address concerns stemming from the recent damage to Crest Gate No. 19. During his visit, Shivakumar assured farmers across the three affected states that all possible measures will be taken to expedite the repair of the damaged gate.
In response to the crisis, which has led to uncontrolled water outflow from the dam, experts have recommended the use of advanced equipment to manage and mitigate the heavy discharge. Shivakumar emphasized the government’s commitment to implementing these expert suggestions to stabilize the situation and protect agricultural interests in the region. The deployment of this advanced technology is expected to help control the water flow and reduce the impact on downstream areas.
3:30 PM – 11 April 2024
A video capturing D. K. Shivakumar leaving after his visit at the Tungabhadra Dam. The footage shows D. K. Shivakumar’s convoy in the city in Hospet. Having addressed the ongoing issues with Crest Gate No. 19 and assured farmers of prompt and effective measures to address the situation.
3:40 PM – 11 April 2024
The HLC (High-Level Canal) canals of the Tungabhadra Dam are currently operating at full capacity. With high water levels expected to persist over the next two days, authorities are issuing an urgent alert for the public to stay away from the canals. The elevated water flow poses significant risks, and it is essential for everyone to avoid approaching the canal areas to ensure their safety.
More details
The reservoir authorities swiftly issued an alert, urging people to avoid venturing into the river downstream, as the outflow could increase to as much as 2 lakh cusecs at any time. To manage the situation, all 33 crest gates were opened, gradually increasing the discharge to one lakh cusecs by Sunday morning.
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This increase in discharge was necessary to relieve pressure on the broken gate and to prepare for critical repair work. The dam authorities had already reduced the discharge by around 28,000 cusecs earlier on Saturday to maintain the full reservoir level (FRL) of 1633 feet, with a total storage of 105.788 tmcft, after rains receded in the catchment area.
The Karnataka Neeravari Nigam Limited (KNNL) sources from the Irrigation Central Zone (Munirabad) have indicated that the discharge will need to be increased to 2 lakh cusecs over the next four days to bring down the water level sufficiently to allow for repairs. This would involve discharging at least 60 tmcft of water from the reservoir.
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Koppal MLA Raghavendra Hitnal, Assistant Commissioner Captain Mahesh Kumar Malagatti, and other senior officers have been stationed near the reservoir to monitor the situation. Koppal District In-charge Minister Shivaraj Tangadagi visited the reservoir on Sunday morning, discussing the issue with the dam authorities and emphasizing the importance of reducing the water level by 20 feet to facilitate repairs.
An expert team from Bengaluru is en route to assess the damage and provide solutions. The final decision on the repair work will be made once the team has evaluated the situation. Minister Tangadagi assured the public that there is no immediate flood threat, as the discharge currently stands at one lakh cusecs. However, concerns remain if the discharge were to rise to 2.5 lakh cusecs.
“We are closely monitoring the situation, and the Chief Minister has been informed. Expert teams from Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Chennai will work together to fix the problem,” Mr. Tangadagi told the media on Sunday morning.
Due to the ongoing safety concerns, entry to the Tungabhadra Dam and its adjoining garden has been strictly prohibited until further notice. The authorities urge everyone to stay away from these areas to ensure their safety and the safety of others. Your understanding and cooperation are greatly appreciated during this critical time.
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