Andhra Pradesh on High Alert After Tungabhadra Reservoir Gate Washes Away in Karnataka's Hospet

Hospet, Karnataka: The state of Andhra Pradesh has been placed on high alert after the 19th gate of the Tungabhadra reservoir in Hospet, Karnataka, was swept away by floodwaters at midnight on August 10, 2024. The incident, confirmed by officials in the early hours of August 11, has led to the release of a significant volume of water, amounting to several lakh cusecs.

The gate failure occurred when the chain link of the 19th gate broke during an operation to close the gates as flood levels began to recede in the reservoir. The maintenance work was being carried out to manage water storage levels after the upper flood subsided. The current water level in the Tungabhadra project stands at over 100 TMC (thousand million cubic feet).

Engineers have indicated that the restoration of the damaged gate can only begin after the discharge of 60 TMC of water. In the meantime, 33 gates have been opened, releasing nearly one lakh cusecs of water into the lower reaches of the river.

This incident marks the first significant dam safety issue in the Tungabhadra project in the last 70 years. Currently, the river is experiencing a flood flow of one lakh cusecs, which is moving downstream towards the Sunkesula project.

In response to the situation, officials from the Tungabhadra River Board have issued a warning to residents in the river basin, urging them to exercise extreme caution. Engineers at the Tungabhadra Reservoir have specifically advised residents of Kurnool city, as well as the mandals of Kauthalam, Kosigi, Mantralayam, and Nandavaram in Kurnool district, to remain vigilant and avoid crossing the riverbed and adjoining canals.

The Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management (APSDM) has activated emergency response protocols, advising residents in need of assistance to contact the toll-free numbers 1070, 112, and 18004250101. APSDM officials have also alerted the Police and Revenue authorities in the district to warn villagers in the Krishna River catchment area about the potential risks.

As the situation unfolds, the authorities are closely monitoring water levels and coordinating efforts to ensure the safety of those in the affected regions.