Residents of Singatalur in Gadag district are on edge following the collapse of crest gate No. 19 of the Singatalur dam on Sunday. The dam, filling rapidly due to rainfall and inflows from the Bhadra dam, has caused significant concern among locals.
Despite all the crest gates being closed, water is leaking from gates 13, 16, 17, 19, 25, and 26. The situation has led villagers to fear further structural failures if water levels continue to rise. To address the immediate issue, officials have attempted to use coconut fronds and sandbags to mitigate the leakage, but the rubber grippers of the crest gates have been damaged, exacerbating the problem.
Constructed in 2012 across the Tungabhadra river, the Singatalur dam has a capacity of 3.11 tmcft, though it currently holds only 1.87 tmcft. Concerns are mounting that additional water storage could inundate three villages in Mundargi taluk. Excess water is being released through the gates to manage the inflow.
Villagers have criticized the dam’s maintenance, noting that cables and wheels of the crest gates have rusted. They have called for urgent repairs to prevent a repeat of the TB dam incident, where similar issues led to widespread flooding.
In response, officials have dismissed the villagers’ claims as unfounded, stating that measures are in place to address the leakage. A tender for Rs 5 crore has been issued for repair and maintenance, with work scheduled to begin post-monsoon.
The Singatalur dam supplies water to several regions including Vijayanagar and Koppal districts, as well as various villages in Mundargi taluk. Failure to resolve the leakage issue could lead to flooding of downstream areas and damage to agricultural lands.
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