At least 35,000 cusec water was released from the Tungabhadra Dam in Koppal into the river basin, after the 19th crest gate was damaged.
This comes after heavy rains in the Malnad regions of the state, raising the water level of Tungabhadra dam, which has a total capacity of 133 tmc.
How did the 19th crest gate of Tungabhadra Dam break?
Authorites said a chain failure led to the damage of the 19th crest gate, releasing massive outflow of water, causing panic among residents living downstream. Districts in the downstream include Koppal, Vijayanagara, Ballari and Raichur. Flood alert has been issued in all these districts.
With the chain snapped, officials at the irrigation department said the repairs can be done only after releasing around 60 tmc feet water. Hence, water was being released from all 33 gates of the dam on Sunday morning.
The chain of the 19th crustgate of the Tungabhadra dam broke around midnight on Saturday, causing a huge amount of water to flow into the river. This is the first time such a tragedy has occurred in the dam's 70-year history#Tungabhadradam
— Karnataka Weather (@Bnglrweatherman) August 11, 2024
pic.twitter.com/m3chWUw37e pic.twitter.com/XlnUj0VANh
Minister in-charge of Koppal district where the dam is situated visited the dam on Sunday morning to ensure that necessary steps are taken to protect the reservoir.
The is the first such damage experienced by Tungabhadra Dam in its 70 years history. The dam commissioned in 1953 provides water to not only Karnataka, but also neighbouring states like Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.
It is India's largest stone masonry dam and the only non-cement dam besides Kerala's Mullaperiyar Dam. Both were constructed using surki mortar, which is mixture of limestone and mud.
