Tungabhadra Dam Gate Washed Away, Rescue Underway

The Tungabhadra Dam draws its water from the Western Ghats through the southwest monsoon rains. (Image: Twitter)The Tungabhadra Dam draws its water from the Western Ghats through the southwest monsoon rains. (Image: Twitter)

In an incident that occurred late on Saturday night, the Tungabhadra dam gate was washed away by flood waters after its chain link broke. The accident happened around 11 pm, when the dam authorities had raised all the gates to cope with the increased water flow over the past few days. Currently, the dam is releasing nearly one lakh cusecs of water downstream, with all the gates raised by 20 feet.

Andhra Pradesh Water Resources Minister Nimmala Rama Naidu said Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu had reviewed the situation. A team of specialised engineers, including the Central Design Commissioner, had been rushed to the spot to assess and repair the damage.

In response to the incident, the district collector has been directed to alert residents of the affected areas in Kouthalam, Kosigi, Mantralayam and Nandavaram mandals. Also, officials overseeing the Srisailam, Nagarjuna Sagar and Pulichintala projects have been warned to remain vigilant. Once the flood waters recede, efforts will focus on repairing the damaged gate.