Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar said on Sunday that two contractors had been appointed to repair the damaged gate of the Pampa Sagar Dam on the Tungabhadra river.
The DCM, who is also the Minister for Water Resources, visited the dam after the 19th crest gate was washed away late Friday night due to a wire mesh rupture.
“We have informed two experienced contractors about this and submitted plans to them. Their team also visited the spot during the night. They are also trying to restore the gate of the dam,” Shivakumar told reporters.
According to him, the crown gate of the dam was washed away at around 0.50 a.m. on Sunday.
Since there was a possibility of damage to the dam structure, all the sluice gates have been opened from which 38,000 cubic feet of water is being diverted to the neighbouring states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, the DCM said, adding that the inflow is 28,000 cubic feet per second.
Neighbouring states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana have also been informed about the water release, the DCM said. He also said of the 38,000 cubic feet of water being released, 35,000 will flow from the 19th Gate itself.
Shivakumar said the over 70-year-old dam irrigates 12 lakh acres of land. There is a separate authority for this dam, which is managed by three states – Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.
He said that currently 63 to 65 Tmc of water can be stored to repair the broken gate of the dam. Of the 90 Tmc of water to be released to the neighbouring state, 25 Tmc has already been released after the gate gave way.
He said the governments of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana are working together after the gate gave way. People within a two-kilometre radius have been advised to remain alert and not venture near the river.
“There is an emergency situation, we will not let anyone come here. There is a technical aspect and this dam is national property. We will work to protect this dam,” the DCM said.
Siddaramaiah visits the dam on August 13
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is scheduled to visit the Tungabhadra Dam near Hosapete for a site inspection on Tuesday.
A statement from the CMO said the CM held discussions with senior officials of the Water Resources Authority.
The CM received a detailed briefing from the department’s principal secretary, Gaurav Gupta, and recommended precautionary measures to prevent further damage.
Published 12 August 2024, 03:04 IS
