Tungabhadra dam gate was swept away.
The 19th crest gate of Tungabhadra Dam, which has recently collapsed, has sent shockwaves through the agricultures groups of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. On August 10 2024, this unforeseen disaster took place, which raised the fear of flooding. Moreover, it has been seen that thousands of farmers risked their livelihood who depend on the dam’s waters for irrigation.
After the Tungabhadra Dam Disaster, it is seen that the farmers are now fearful that there will not be enough water to sustain their crops, which is threatening their livelihood as they depend upon agriculture. Additionally, the jeopardy of downstream overflowing adds to their worries, as any delays in fixing the dam could lead to additional agricultural and economic destruction in the area. Therefore, broader fears have been sparked among the farmers’ communities regarding this terrible incident, which has occurred.
The Event: What Happened?
In Hospet, Karnataka, the Tungabhadra Dam, a vital irrigation and hydroelectric project located. It has been a foundation of agricultural productivity in the areas for over 70 years. This dam is capable of holding up to 133 TMC (Thousand Million Cubic feet) of water. Moreover, it has been equipped with 33 crest gates to regulate the water flow. However, on the night of August 10 2024, the 19th crest gate was terribly swept away.
This mechanical failure of Tungabhadra Dam instigated the gate to be removed by the pure pressure of the water, leading to the quick release of about 35,000 cusecs of water. To manage the excess water, the condition intensified quickly as authorities were forced to open extra gates with the flow reaching 89,000 cusecs at its highest. By the snapping of a chain, the failure was triggered, which was used to operate the gate.
However, by the huge pressure of the stored water, the chain’s failure led to the 20-tonne gate being overcome causing it to be swept nearly 500 feet downstream. Moreover, the occurrence has elevated noteworthy concerns amongst the local agricultural communities, as the water from the Tungabhadra Dam is important for irrigation, particularly during the continuing Kharif season.
The districts of Raichur, Bellary and Kurnool are the particular regions where the risk of flood is being released rapidly in the downstream. Therefore, the loss of water and the possibility of flooding stance a direct risk to their crops and living, which makes this a serious situation that difficulties swift and real response efforts. Therefore, this is one of the most significant mechanical failures at the Tungabhadra Dam in its 70-year history, which makes it a rare and alarming event.
Immediate Concerns: Flood Risks and Damage
In the downstream areas, the sudden release of water from the dam created an immediate risk of flooding. However, in various districts, the risk of flooding may occur like Kurnool, Raichur, and Bellary. Moreover, this posed an important hazard to homes, infrastructure, and agricultural lands for the villages situated along the Tungabhadra River. Although the situation remains risky, the authorities rapidly issued flood notices and began organizing removal efforts.
The possibility of extensive damage to standing crops is one of the most pressing concerns. Moreover, the Tungabhadra Dam is mostly used for irrigation purposes and the farmers in this region heavily depend on the water of this dam. However, any kind of disturbance in this supply can have overwhelming consequences. At the time of Kharif season, the water supply is necessary for the farmer, but the reservoir’s water levels are now being rapidly exhausted to facilitate urgent repairs. Therefore, it has grown the anxiety among the farmers about the availability of water.
The Farmers’ Fear: A Season at Risk
To the agricultural community, the failure of the dam gate has brought uncertainty. However, by providing essential irrigation water for a variation of crops, including paddy, sugarcane, and horticultural produce the Tungabhadra Dam is a lifeline for farmers in the area. Over the current agricultural season, the loss of one of its key gateways has cast a long shadow. As the kharif season is about to come the farmers are more worried about the crops as the timing of the incident has exacerbated farmers’ fears. To sustain the crop through the season, there may not be enough water, which leads to fears for the farmer as an important portion of dam water is lost.
This incident could spell disaster for farmers in the affected regions. An unsuccessful crop would not only lead to instant monetary losses but could also risk the sustainability of farming processes in the future. Because of the uncertainty surrounding the duration of the repair work on the dam, the farmers’ anxiety is compounded. Therefore, while officials have projected that the maintenance could take anywhere from five to ten days, any delay might have severe costs for the already precarious water supply. ​
Broader Implications: Environmental and Economic Concerns
The incident at Tungabhadra dam has not only affected the farmers but also brought implications to the environment and economy. This dam’s mechanical integrity has been called into query, raising fears about the possibility of further catastrophes in the future. In the face of increasing environmental pressures, the occurrence also highlights the challenges of handling ageing infrastructure. The various environmental pressures, such as erratic rainfall patterns and rising temperatures, can worsen the wear and tear on dangerous structures like dams. Moreover, it has been seen that the Hampi, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site, lies downstream of the dam, which is at risk.Â
 Moreover, on the other hand, economically, the region faces major losses. To the local economy, a major contributor is Agriculture, which is heavily dependent on the Tungabhadra Dam. However, it leads to reduced agricultural production, loss of income for farmers, and increased food prices if any disturbance to the water supply could have ripple effects.
Government Response
The government of Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka have taken action against the crisis. Emergency teams have been organized to the dam to evaluate and repair the damage including engineers from Narayana Engineering and Hindustan Company. Moreover, to manage the water levels in the reservoir, the authorities have also been working to stop further flooding. However, the Deputy Chief Minister of Karnataka, DK Shivakumar, has made sure to the public that all the necessary actions are being taken to protect the farmer as well as the effect of the disaster.
Moreover, about the need for better upkeep and monitoring of serious infrastructure, the incident has also flashed discussions. Various experts are being called to investigate the cause of the failure and the overall condition of the dam. However, to ensure that similar incidents can be avoided in the future, there are also calls for better disaster preparation and response mechanisms.
 A Wake-Up Call for Infrastructure Management
In India’s ageing structure, the failure of the Tungabhadra Dam’s 19th crest gate serves as a stark reminder of the weaknesses. Moreover, there is also a need for a longer-term focus on infrastructure maintenance, disaster preparation, and maintainable water management as the region deals with the instant challenges of handling flood risks and fixing the dam. The incident has brought about a season of insecurity and fear for the farmers who depend on the dam’s water. In determining the full impact of the crisis, the coming days will be critical.
However, the incident has already left a permanent mark on the region, while the efforts to repair the dam and manage the water levels continue. Moreover, by highlighting the crucial need for active measures to precaution both lives and livelihoods in the appearance of such unforeseen tragedies. However, it is clear that the event has already affected the agricultural communities. It is important for the management to look after the problems of the farmers and help them to navigate the challenges they are facing at this period.
FAQ
What happened at the Tungabhadra Dam on August 10, 2024?
The Tungabhadra Dam collapsed due to a mechanical failure, on August 10, 2024, out of 33 crests, gate 19th crest gate has been a failure and released the water downstream. Moreover, this incident has raised concerns about irrigation as well as flooding in the areas of the farmers.
What caused the gate to collapse?
The failure occurred after a critical chain used to function the gate snapped. By the immense pressure of the water, this mechanical failure led to the gate being dislodged.
What areas are most affected by the gate collapse?
The various districts are being affected like Kurnool, Raichur, and Bellary, especially those villages situated along the Tungabhadra River.
Has such an incident happened before at the Tungabhadra Dam?
In its 70-year history, this is one of the most significant mechanical failures at the Tungabhadra Dam, making it an alarming event and rare.
How long it will take to repair the dam?
The repair work is estimated to take five to ten days.
What are the risks if the repairs are delayed?
Any interruptions could lead to additional depletion of the reservoir’s water levels, worsening the threat to crops and increasing the risk of flooding.
