Why Tungabhadra Dam Crest Gate Failed: The Reason Kumaraswamy Gave

Mandya, Express News: A significant malfunction at the Tungabhadra Dam has caused alarm, particularly among the farming community. The 19th crest gate of the reservoir has broken, necessitating the urgent release of 50 to 60 TMC (thousand million cubic feet) of water to facilitate repairs. This incident has heightened fears of potential water shortages for the upcoming crop season, leaving farmers in a state of uncertainty.

Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy responded to the situation, attributing the incident to the absence of soft lock gates at the dam. Speaking to the media in Aralakuppe village of Pandavapura taluk in Mandya district, Kumaraswamy explained that the Tungabhadra Dam, constructed about 70 years ago, has faced such issues because it lacks these crucial safety features. He emphasized the importance of installing soft lock gates on the dam, similar to those installed at the Almatti and Narayanpur dams, to prevent future accidents.

The malfunction has already resulted in the release of 30,000 cusecs of water from the reservoir, which could lead to the emptying of 60 TMC of water. This development has significantly dampened the hopes of farmers, who were relying on the reservoir’s water supply for the upcoming agricultural season. The Tungabhadra Dam, despite its age, has been plagued by issues, and this recent incident underscores the need for urgent technical improvements.

Kumaraswamy criticized the Tungabhadra Dam Board for what he described as “careless reports on technical matters,” suggesting that the board’s lack of attention to critical issues has led to the current situation. He urged the government to be proactive in addressing these problems, particularly by consulting technical experts on how to rectify the situation.

Additionally, Kumaraswamy expressed concern about the Krishna Raja Sagar (KRS) Dam, noting that it also lacks soft lock gates. He pointed out that these gates were not installed during the dam’s construction due to a lack of staff at the time. In light of the Tungabhadra incident, he advised that soft lock gates should be installed at the KRS Dam to prevent similar accidents.

While Kumaraswamy stopped short of calling the Tungabhadra incident a result of government negligence, he did highlight the role of the technical committee responsible for reviewing the dam’s condition annually. He criticized the committee’s “perfunctory reviews,” which he believes contributed to the accident. Kumaraswamy urged the government to take immediate action and engage with technical experts to find a solution to this complex issue.