Andhra Pradesh Minister, Experts Visit Tungabhadra After Dam’s Crest Gate Washed Away

Amaravathi: On August 12, 2024, Andhra Pradesh’s Minister for Water Resources, Nimmala Ramanaidu, visited the Tungabhadra Dam in Karnataka following a critical incident where one of the dam’s crest gates was washed away. The incident, which took place on the night of August 10, raised significant concerns about water management and safety in the affected regions.

Minister’s Visit

Minister Ramanaidu, accompanied by the Special Chief Secretary and the Engineer-in-Chief, conducted an on-site review of the restoration efforts at the dam, located in Hospet, Vijayanagara District, Karnataka. The discussions centered on the installation of a new gate to replace the damaged one. The minister underscored the urgency of ensuring that the restoration work is carried out swiftly and safely to prevent further complications.

Assessment by Expert Team

Before the minister’s visit, a team of experts from Andhra Pradesh, led by Design Department Chief Engineer T. Kumar, visited the dam to assess the situation. This team, which included Superintending Engineer Shiva Kumar Reddy and Executive Engineer Venugopal Reddy, examined the temporary measures implemented following the gate’s failure and discussed strategies for installing a new gate to mitigate the impact of the incident.

Incident Details

The 19th crest gate of the Tungabhadra Dam was washed away during operations to close the gates due to a receding flood level. In response, all 33 crest gates were opened to alleviate pressure on the damaged gate. This resulted in a significant water discharge of up to one lakh cusecs, triggering flood alerts in low-lying areas of the united Kurnool District in Andhra Pradesh. Authorities issued warnings to local residents, advising them to avoid the river downstream to ensure their safety.

Impact and Ongoing Concerns

The Tungabhadra Dam is a critical infrastructure that supplies drinking and irrigation water to Karnataka, the Rayalaseema region of Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana. The loss of the gate has caused substantial water to be lost to the sea, as downstream reservoirs—Srisailam, Nagarjuna Sagar, and Pulichintala—were already near full capacity. Restoration of the damaged gate is contingent on reducing the water level to 60 TMC, delaying immediate repairs.

Historical Context

This incident is unprecedented in the dam’s 70-year history, emphasizing the importance of rigorous maintenance and the ability to respond quickly to such infrastructure failures in crucial water management systems.

Tungabhadra Dam Crest Gate Washed Away

On the night of August 10, 2024, the Tungabhadra Dam faced a critical situation when its 19th crest gate was washed away during operations to close the gates amid falling flood levels. This incident led to the opening of all 33 crest gates to relieve pressure, causing a significant discharge of water at a rate of one lakh cusecs. The loss of the gate has sparked concerns over water management and safety in the surrounding areas, particularly in Andhra Pradesh, where flood alerts have been issued. Restoration work is set to begin once the water level decreases sufficiently, marking the first such failure in the dam’s history.

Yesterday 11th August, Kurnool Residents Urged to Stay Vigilant Amid Tungabhadra Dam Flood Surge

Amaravathi: Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (APSDMA) issued a warning to residents along the Krishna River due to the washing away of a gate at the Tungabhadra Dam in Karnataka. The incident, which occurred Saturday night in Hospet, was caused by the snapping of a chain link, leading to the loss of gate number 19. This has resulted in a significant release of water, with 35,000 cusecs already discharged and a total of 48,000 cusecs expected downstream. The APSDMA advised people in Kurnool district, particularly in areas like Kosiri, Mantralayam, Nandavaram, and Kouthalam, to remain cautious and avoid crossing canals and streams.

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— Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (@APSDMA) August 10, 2024