HOW TUNGABHADRA DAM GATE WAS SWEPT AWAY, WHY FARMERS ARE FEARFUL

Why in the news?

Farmers and locals in Karnataka’s Koppal area were concerned when one of the dam’s 33 crest gates washed away, prompting the issuance of a flood alert downstream of the Tungabhadra Dam.

Incident Details

  • Gate breakdown: On August 10, 2024, a structural breakdown caused the spillway gate No. 9 of the Tungabhadra Dam to be washed away, resulting in an uncontrollable discharge of water.
  • Repairs: Urgent work is being scheduled, with the goal of reinforcing the gates that remain and filling the reservoir to capacity.

About Tungabhadra Dam

  • Construction: The Tungabhadra Dam was finished in 1953 and is situated on the Tungabhadra River. It provides Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana with a significant amount of drinking and irrigation water.
  • Capacity: 378 square kilometers of farmland are supported by the dam’s 100.86 TMC total reservoir capacity.
About Tungabhadra River

History

  • The Ramayana mentions the river, which is known as Pampa, and the Hindus regard it as sacred.
  • The Varada River was the previous name for the Tungabhadra River.
  • During the Vijayanagar Empire’s 14th–17th century reign over the area, the river served as a vital supply of water.
  • Situated along the banks of the river was the capital of the Vijayanagar Empire, Hampi.

Origin

  • The name comes from the joining of two rivers, Tunga and Bhadra.
  • The eastern flanks of the Western Ghats are the source of the Tunga and Bhadra Rivers.
  • The Tungabhadra River is created when the two rivers combine at Koodli in the Karnataka district of Shimoga.

Course

  • It flows roughly northwest until it meets the Krishna River in Andhra Pradesh at Sangamaleshwaram.
  • The Bay of Bengal is where the Krishna River finishes up at last.

About

  • It is a significant river on the peninsula of South India and one of the Krishna River’s principal tributaries.
  • The river’s catchment area is 28,000 square kilometres, and its total length is 531 km.
  • It passes across the states of Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka.
  • It is primarily impacted by the monsoon from the South-West.
  • Varada River and Hagari (Vedathy) River are the two main tributaries.
  • The Tunga Anicut Dam, Bhadra Dam, Hemavathy Dam, and Tungabhadra Dam are among the dams and reservoirs constructed on the river.