Mangaluru: Officials have assured that all major dams in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts are in stable condition, with no immediate threat to structural safety, despite the ongoing heavy rains.
Authorities confirmed that routine inspections and maintenance are being conducted to ensure dam safety. “The Thumbe vented dam, being a relatively new structure, has shown no signs of wear or cracks,” said a Mangaluru City Corporation executive engineer. He added that additional safety features like a retaining wall and stop-log gates have been installed as a precaution in case of gate malfunction.
The AMR dam, operated by the Mangalore Special Economic Zone (MSEZ), which can hold 12.5 million cubic metres of water at full capacity, has also been declared structurally sound.
Irrigation department officials confirmed the stability of the Harekala dam, which was built only a few years ago, and emphasized that similar safety protocols apply to other structures as well.
Key infrastructure like the Jakribettu bridge-cum-barrage in Bantwal and the Saralikatte dam near Uppinangady are subjected to quarterly inspections to identify any issues early.
“There are 471 major and minor vented dams in Dakshina Kannada, and none have shown damage due to sand mining or environmental factors,” said a district irrigation department engineer.
The Mani dam across the Varahi River, maintained by KPCL since 1989, is also reported to be in excellent condition, with continuous monitoring and sufficient budget support ensuring safety.