Residents living along the banks of the Krishna River in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka have been issued a stern warning to stay vigilant following the collapse of the 19th crest gate of the 71-year-old Tungabhadra Dam. The incident occurred on Sunday, and authorities have since been working tirelessly to manage the situation amid intense flooding.
The Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (APSDMA) has urged the public to remain on high alert after the chain link of the dam’s 19th gate broke under the pressure of powerful floodwaters, as reported by PTI. The breaking of this crucial gate has led to the release of significant volumes of water downstream.
“Nearly 35,000 cusecs of floodwaters flowed, and a total of 48,000 cusecs will be discharged downstream. People in Kurnool district’s Kosigi, Mantralayam, Nandavaram, and Kouthalam should exercise caution,” stated the APSDMA’s managing director in an official press release. The situation has further escalated, with recent updates indicating that 89,000 cusecs of water are now being released from the dam, increasing the potential risk for those living downstream.
In addition to the immediate threat posed by the flooding, the managing director has advised all residents in the Krishna River’s riparian plains to refrain from crossing canals and streams. The strong currents caused by the floodwaters pose a severe danger, making it critical for residents to heed these warnings.
In response to the emergency, the Karnataka Water Resources Department has initiated urgent repairs on the Tungabhadra Dam. To facilitate this, all but five of the dam’s crest gates have been opened, allowing for the controlled release of water and easing the pressure on the damaged structure. Koppal district’s in-charge minister, Shivaraj Tangadagi, who visited the dam, emphasized the gravity of the situation: “We may have to release at least 60 to 65 TMC (thousand million cubic feet) of water from the dam. The problem can be resolved only after 20 feet of water is released. Hence, there is an urgency to empty the dam.”
To further assess and manage the crisis, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, who also holds the water resources portfolio, has rushed to Koppal. According to sources cited by the Times of India, the repair process is expected to take approximately four days. The authorities are working under immense pressure to stabilize the situation before any further damage occurs.
On the preceding day, the Tungabhadra Dam had already released 1 lakh cusecs of water through 22 of its crest gates in response to the overwhelming floodwaters that led to the failure of the chain link on the 19th gate. The Tungabhadra Board’s secretary, ORK Reddy, has sought to reassure the public, stating that while the situation is serious, there is no immediate cause for concern. He added that the dam is designed to handle the release of up to 6.5 lakh cusecs of water, which should provide some comfort to those fearing the worst.
