Residents living along the banks of the Krishna River in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka have been advised to exercise caution following the incident involving the Tungabhadra dam. On Sunday, the 19th crest gate of the 71-year-old dam was reported to have been washed away due to intense floodwaters, leading to increased concern about the potential impact on downstream areas.

According to the Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (APSDMA), the chain link of the 19th gate broke under the pressure of severe flooding. As a result, there has been a significant increase in water discharge from the dam. Initially, approximately 35,000 cusecs of water were being released, but this has now escalated to 89,000 cusecs. The APSDMA has issued a warning for residents in Kurnool district’s Kosiri, Mantralayam, Nandavaram, and Kouthalam, urging them to remain vigilant and take necessary precautions.

The APSDMA has highlighted the critical situation due to the high volume of water being discharged. The release of water from the dam is expected to continue, with total discharges reaching up to 48,000 cusecs. In light of this, residents are advised to avoid crossing canals and streams, as strong currents in the floodwaters pose a significant risk.

In response to the situation, the Karnataka water resources department has initiated emergency repair work on the dam. All crest gates, except for five, have been opened to facilitate the urgent repair process. Koppal district in-charge Minister Shivaraj Tangadagi has stated that at least 60 to 65 TMC (thousand million cubic feet) of water may need to be released to address the issue. The urgency of the situation is underscored by the need to release 20 feet of water to mitigate the problem.

Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, who oversees the water resources portfolio, has travelled to Koppal to assess the situation firsthand. The repair process is expected to take around four days, as confirmed by sources speaking to the Times of India.

Public Reassurance

Despite the ongoing issues, Tungabhadra board secretary ORK Reddy has reassured the public that there is no immediate cause for alarm. He emphasised that the dam is designed to handle water releases of up to 6.5 lakh cusecs, indicating that the structure is equipped to manage the current situation. The board’s efforts to manage and repair the dam aim to prevent further complications and ensure the safety of those living in the affected areas.

On Saturday, prior to the gate failure, the dam had released 1 lakh cusecs of water through 22 crest gates. The breakage of the 19th gate has significantly impacted the flow dynamics, necessitating urgent action to address the situation.

Residents and local authorities are advised to stay informed through official channels and follow safety guidelines issued by the APSDMA and Karnataka water resources department.