One of the gates of the Tungabhadra dam in Karnataka was washed away last night following a chain link failure. In response, authorities opened all but five of the remaining gates to alleviate pressure on the damaged gate.
Flood Alert in Koppal
A flood alert was immediately issued downstream in Koppal. The incident also put neighboring Andhra Pradesh on high alert, with residents along the banks of the Krishna River advised to stay vigilant and avoid crossing canals and streams.
Urgent Measures to Reduce Reservoir Levels
To facilitate repair work on Gate number 19, the water level in the reservoir must be reduced from 105 TMC to between 65 and 55 TMC, according to sources in the water resources department. Currently, the dam is discharging 89,000 cusecs of water.
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Authorities Respond
Koppal district in-charge Minister Shivaraj Tangadagi emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating that at least 60 to 65 TMC of water needs to be released to address the issue. Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar is en route to Koppal to oversee the situation.
First Major Incident in 70 Years
Despite the increased water flow, there is no immediate threat of flooding, though people are advised to avoid the Tungabhadra river. Reports indicate that this is the first significant issue at the dam in its 70-year history.
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